The South West Region of the IoD is one of the most active in the UK, with some 3000 members spread across 6 Branches covering Bath & Wiltshire, Bristol, Devon & Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Somerset.
IoD South West is renowned for its programme of inspirational and valuable business events including company visits, business breakfasts and lunches, entrepreneurs dinners and local business networking.
We are extremely grateful to our Committee Members who make IoD South West events possible and undertake Branch activities.
We are delighted to announce the details of the South West 2012 Director of the Year Awards which have just been launched. We are now encouraging entries for all categories, details of which are attached. Applications for the Awards are invited from Directors of all sizes and sectors of business across the region. Categories and Application form.
The South West finalists of these prestigious awards will be showcased at the IoD South West Entrepreneurs Dinner on 14 June before the winners will go on to represent the region in the national Director of the Year Awards in the autumn. The closing date is 30 March so if you and your business want the chance to benefit from the profile and publicity awards bring please send your entries to us.
The Bristol Mayor referendum could cause the biggest upheaval to local democracy since the dissolution of Avon County Council. Debate and discuss the issues before the May election. Bristolians will be asked to vote for for against the idea of an elected Mayor in May 2012. This local referendum comes under Government's Localism Bill and could cause substantial changes to the city and region. Replacing the present Councillors plus Cabinet system with a directly elected Mayor would represent the biggest change to local democracy for over a decade. Further information and booking details.
The Exeter office of Charles Stanley and IoD South West hosted a seminar for 110 business professionals at Exeter Golf and Country Club on 27 January on the outlook for the stock market and the worldwide economy for 2012. Graeme Leach, Chief Economist at the IoD and Jeremy Batstone Carr, Director of Private Client Research at Charles Stanley, updated the audience on their views from twelve months ago when Charles Stanley hosted a smilar event. This is the fifth year that Charles Stanley has hosted such an event.Graeme Leach updated the audience on his view of the Euro crisis and the outlook for the UK economy. Graeme would not be surprised to see a breakup of the Euro Zone as he feels that Greece can no longer survive within the Union. He was however firm in his view that the real problem is not Greece, but the precedent being set, and how this will determine the outcome for Spain and Italy.
Do you have an interest in China and Chinese Culture? Are you interested in meeting professionals who have done business in China? Are you excited by business opportunities in China but don't know where to start? Then join us in welcoming the Chinese New Year to Bristol! Cllr Geoffrey Gollop, The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of Bristol and President of the Bristol China Partnership invites you to join him for a networking reception and banquet including entertainment. Further details.
The IoD Board has recently met in Bristol on its annual Away Day. The IoD South West organised a Reception for the Board, attended by some 50 South West members and business leaders, who were keen to talk to the Board about the many challenges and positive opportunities within the South West economy.
This was also the first visit to the area for Simon Walker, the IoD's new Director General who took up his role last week. He outlined the key points from the IoD's Plan for Growth and both he and the Board were hugely impressed by the entrepreneurial and innovative stories from IoD members and businesses in the region.
We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2011 IoD South West Director of the Year Awards. The Winners were announced by IoD Director General Miles Templeman at the South West Evening with Entrepreneurs Dinner on 9 June.
Many Congratulations to them.
Public Sector AwardSandie Foxall-Smith - St Peter's Hospice, Bristol
Young Director AwardMatthew Conridge - Mamka, Exeter
Director of the Year AwardNeil Douglas - Viper Subsea, Bristol
IoD South West saw more then £1800 raised for the NSPCC through a draw at the Evening with Entrepreneurs Dinner in June. IoD South West Director Simon Face said "The NSPCC provide the invaluable ChildLine service and invites businesses to raise the £1600 it costs to fully train a ChildLine Volunteer. We chose NSPCC as our IoD 2011 Charity of the Year and at our Evening with Entrepreneurs Dinner in June we held a draw with that figure as a target. We were delighted to beat the target on the night and thrilled that some of our member companies went on to make their own similar pledge to the NSPCC".
The IoD South West Regional Office and Members' Room are based at The Orchard Street Business Centre, a stunning converted 17th Century merchant's house in Bristol City Centre, very close to the Trenchard Street Car Park.
These fantastic facilities offer a choice of free meeting and work spaces for members and up to 3 guests with WiFi for formal working and the Atrium for more relaxed meetings, with free tea and coffee included.
In addition Orchard Street Business Centre will offer a 15% discount to IoD members on meeting and conference room hire. For more information please click on the Member Facilities tab above.
As a member you are automatically assigned a branch and encouraged to give your views on local issues and take advantage of networking opportunities in your area. All members are welcome to attend events at any branch.
Sarah Roberts Regional Administrator Debra Baker Events Administrator