Phil Smith reflects on 30 years fighting for West country businesses

As he prepares to step down from his role of managing director of Business West, Phil Smith speaks to Ian Mean, a sends a parting message to the Government to do more.

For the last 30 years Phil Smith has been a leading voice for business in the South West.

He is now retiring as managing director of Business West, the South West’s leading business representative organisation.

Phil, 63, has spent 30 years in senior leadership positions with Business West and has been managing director since 2005.

What has he learned about the attraction of business to develop in the region?

“I think the wonderful environment in the South West and the quality of life here makes it a great place to live and work.

“It seems to me that companies are happy to do something extra for their employees as well as just making money.

“For instance, we have the largest concentration of BCorp companies in the Uk , which I think illustrates the kind of attitude many companies here have that does really differentiate them in their communities.”