A new collaboration between business and the West of England’s leading universities aiming to tackle the region’s long-term challenges and pave the way for greater investment and prosperity has appointed its inaugural chair and director.
Ex-Airbus UK managing director Sir Iain Gray and Andrea Dell, the former head of Bristol City Council’s One City initiative, have taken up the roles at The Futures West Foundation.
Recently launched by Business West, the organisation behind Bath Chamber of Commerce, the Foundation will work closely with the universities of Bath, Bristol and the West of England (UWE Bristol).
Along with the support of leading businesses in the region, it will look to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth by raising productivity, increasing prosperity and promoting innovation.
Its research will provide the evidence base needed to better inform policy and attract investment.
The leadership team for The Futures West Foundation for Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth will include Sir Iain Gray as chair and Andrea Dell as director – bringing to it extensive business, engineering, innovation, local and national government, higher education and community experience. 
Emeritus Professor Sir Iain Gray, pictured, a widely respected figure in the advanced manufacturing sector, will bring his exceptional experience in business, academia, innovation and government to his new role as chair.
As well as direct experience of running a major international business from our region – as Airbus UK managing director he was based at the aerospace giant’s Filton plant – he has also helmed the UK’s innovation agency and served as director of aerospace at Cranfield University,
Sir Iain said: “Having lived and worked in this region for many years, I know it very well. It has an incredible innovation heritage and such potential for greater prosperity.
“I also understand its challenges and am committed to tackling them to ensure we unlock greater investment in this region, which will drive innovation and deliver good, well-paid, jobs and sustainable and inclusive growth.” 
Business West said Andrea, pictured, would bring extensive experience in regional government, devolution, project delivery and community to the director role.
She has more than 20 years’ experience working and living in the region and is an alumnus of both UWE Bristol and the University of Bristol.
Her extensive experience in local government includes working in social housing and leading policy, democratic and executive services at Bristol City Council.
Between 2018 and last year she directed the One City Partnership Initiative serving the public, private and voluntary sector across Bristol and is also the chair of trustees at Voscur, the agency supporting voluntary action in Bristol.
Andrea said as someone who had lived and worked in the South West for more than 20 years, she was passionate about the region and what it had to offer.
“The Futures West Foundation is a significant initiative that will help our region maximise its potential for the benefit of all those who live and work here,” she added.
“I am excited to be part of its future and look forward to starting work with Sir Iain, the Business West team, and our partners.”
Business West director of policy Matt Griffith said the appointments marked an important milestone for the Futures West Foundation.
“It has managed to secure exceptional talent that is really bought into this project and what the region wants to achieve,” he added.
“Policymakers and businesses all need evidence and hard data before making the choice to invest in a region, whether it’s the government choosing its next area of economic focus or an international firm deciding where to establish its UK HQ.
“The Foundation is focused on providing that evidence base to inform smart investment decisions that benefit not just our region, but the wider UK economy too.
“Andrea and Sir Iain will convene the key actors we need to deliver the research, collaboration and support, to help drive sustainable and inclusive growth and the jobs and investment our region needs.”
The Foundation’s initial work programme will look at how to understand and improve the region’s economic performance and raise regional productivity.
It will also address some of the key challenges blocking sustainable and inclusive economic growth and the future success of the region’s key and emerging economic sectors.
