Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Hannah Baker

Business West appoints YTL UK Group boss as new chair

South West chamber of commerce Business West has appointed a new chair.

Colin Skellett is the chief executive of the YTL UK Group of companies, which includes Brabazon New Town and the Arena complex at Filton, near Bristol; Wessex Water; YTL’s UK hotels; GENeco; and a number of retail businesses.

He was awarded an OBE for services to business and WaterAid in the 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours and has honorary doctorates in engineering from the Universities of the West of England (UWE) and Bristol.

He said: “Business West has a great track record of working in partnership to deliver real change to the benefit of this region.

“We are a powerful voice - if you look at the number of members and area we cover, we are one of the most powerful Chambers in the country. Levelling up, climate change and regeneration are all areas where we can make a real difference.

“We also need to identify the big new opportunities such as hydrogen or low carbon technologies. Business is the engine that drives economic growth, and we have a key part to play.”

Business West has urged the Government to takes action to support businesses by showing it has plans to aid economic recovery.

On Tuesday (July 20), the organisation called for more assistance for companies across the region as inflation hit a new record high of 9.4%. Costs are set to increase even further in the autumn, with energy bills expected to skyrocket in October.

"Businesses and households alike are facing unprecedented cost pressures," said Business West managing director Phil Smith.

“The autumn budget will be an opportunity for the new Prime Minister and Chancellor to put in place a plan to help stabilise the economy so businesses can weather the storm.”

READ NEXT

Huboo appoints former Just Eat director to top product and tech role

The best UK companies for women to work for in 2022

South West listed firms see profit warnings double amid rising costs

NatWest announces £1.25bn support package for UK farmers

Like this story? Why not sign up to get the latest business news straight to your inbox

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.