Members of the Bristol Initiative gathered last week at the stunning St George’s Bristol for our Summer Quarterly Members’ Evening. On a bright summer evening in the Glass Studio, Bristol’s biggest changemakers and business leaders came together to celebrate the progress we’ve made together, and to mark what was described as a "defining moment" of momentum for the West of England.
To shine a light on what this defining moment will look like for Bristol, we were excited to be joined for our evening’s keynote by Nick Hibberd, CEO of Bristol City Council. In a candid discussion with our members, Nick offered his invaluable insight into the city’s development and shared his vision for its future.
The evening opened with a warm welcome from Samir Savant, CEO of St George’s, who provided a whistle-stop tour of the venue’s role as not only a world-class venue, but as a hub for learning and shared ideas. Samir highlighted the venue's "purposely eclectic" programming and its deep commitment to community through projects like the Cosmos children's choir and the Sing for Happiness research project, a major research initiative in partnership with UWE Bristol which explores the link between singing and well-being.
Ed Rowberry, President of the Bristol Initiative, reflected on the tangible sense of progress across the city, noting that the decisions being made today will shape the West of England for years to come.
He highlighted transformative projects including the approval of the Temple Island scheme and the announcement of Brabazon and the Western Innovation Arc as the region’s first Mayoral Development Zone, a move critical for tackling youth unemployment and driving inclusive growth.
How do we get inclusive growth? We create projects where people can find work and they can build their skills.
Jenny Ablett, Acting Director of the Bristol Initiative, and Andrea Dell, Director of Futures West provided updates on some of the recent highlights from the quarter such as the Initiative’s ongoing support for the West of England Women’s Commission and the success that was The Festival of Flourishing Regions, which drew over 180 attendees and garnered national attention in the Financial Times.
We were also delighted to welcome Buro Happold, HSBC, and National Grid as our newest members.
The highlight of the evening was an open and insightful fireside chat with Nick Hibberd, CEO of Bristol City Council, interviewed by Julia Gray, Principal and CEO of City of Bristol College.
Nick shared the deeply personal journey from his childhood in Harlow, an Essex new town, to a career-defining tragedy at university in Liverpool that sparked his lifelong commitment to social justice and a sense of responsibility to "put things right". This drive led him through decades of local government leadership in Brighton and Croydon before arriving in Bristol, a city he chose for its "activist heart" and the opportunity to be CEO of a core City Council, whilst still being able to pursue his love for kayaking both in in Bristol’s floating harbour, and as the chair of the GB ocean kayak racing committee and manager of the GB ocean racing kayak team.
Now as CEO of Bristol City Council, Nick addressed the shift to a committee system of leadership, which he described as well-suited for such a "hyper-engaged city". He shared a revealing insight into modern civic leadership, explaining that he spends roughly 60% of his time as a "systems leader" working across the region's health and economic systems, and 40% leading the council itself.
When discussing how the private sector can best support the city, Nick’s ask was clear: engage as partners rather than seeing the council as a barrier. He stressed the importance of businesses when it comes to social impact and challenges them to consider their role as employers in tackling youth unemployment and in-work poverty, particularly in areas like South Bristol where educational inequities remain a challenge.
Bristol is almost unique for the level of engagement that we have. I think that’s a healthy thing. That’s democracy in action.
The session concluded with a frank Q&A, where members raised pressing questions about how the city’s rapid growth can truly benefit everyone. Nick met these challenges with a clear message: progress in Bristol must be defined by social value and equity of opportunity.
In response to questions regarding large-scale international investment, Nick was emphatic that high standards are non-negotiable. “Social value is a Bristol thing,” he noted, explaining that the council’s £1.7 billion annual spend serves as a powerful lever to ensure that every contract and investment upholds the city’s environmental and ethical ambitions.
A member raised the challenge of local regeneration and how it can be assured that projects like Temple Quarter don’t leave locals behind. Nick shared a sobering anecdote of a 15-year-old on work experience in his office who had never seen Park Street, despite living in the city. To bridge this divide, he pointed to the "Bristol Future" initiative. Working alongside Sir John Coles, the architect of the London Challenge, the program aims to break the link between deprivation and educational attainment by matching schools and sharing resources across the city.
Ultimately, Nick made it clear that his objectives for Bristol City Council go beyond mere policy. By fostering a “one council culture” he aims to ensure the council acts as a partner rather than a barrier to the private sector. Tackling economic inequality, improving educational outcomes, and accelerating the transition to net zero remain at the very top of his agenda as he leads the city into its next chapter.
After such an enjoyable evening convening with peers, it was only natural to look ahead to future opportunities to come together, and Bristol Initiative members have a lot to look forward to.
Upcoming highlights include:
Breakfast with the Bears at the Bristol Zoo Project
Balloon Fiesta Business Breakfast
Tour of the NCC
And of course, members were encouraged to keep an eye on their inboxes for invitations to the September Members’ Evening, where the conversation on driving regional growth and making Bristol the best place to live, learn and work, will continue.
If you’re not a member but would like to find out more about the Bristol Initiative, then get in touch with Jenny Ablett, Bristol Initiative Acting Director.
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