The Institute of Directors (IoD) has named Nick Sturge, director of Bristol’s Engine Shed enterprise hub and the Bristol SETsquared Business Acceleration Centre, as its new South West chairman.
A former Bristol IoD committee chairman and member for more than 10 years, Nick, pictured, will officially take over from Richard Ayre in January. 
As regional chairman he will represent the interests of the IoD’s 2,500-plus South West members at a national level as well as supporting the six regional committees in Bristol, Bath and Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Dorset.
He said: “I believe that the Institute of Directors is the leading organisation promoting effective leadership and governance which is critical to business growth. I intend to work closely with strategic business, investor and professional partners and build on the strengths of the Local Enterprise Partnership network and the region’s universities to further the impact of the region at a national economic level.
“The South West is set to experience some significant developments in the near future with Hinkley C and the proposed electrification of the rail mainline between London and Bristol.
“My job, and the job of the Institute of Directors, is to ensure that our members, whether they be SMEs or multinational corporates, can make the most of the opportunities that these developments represent and play an active and influential role in the growth of the South West economy.”
Nick co-founded pioneering Bristol-based video communication equipment firm Motion Media Technology, which listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2000, achieving a market valuation of more than £270m.
As Bristol SETsquared centre director, Nick has been responsible for nurturing hundreds of hi-tech, high-growth businesses that have spun out of the University of Bristol.
Two years ago he oversaw the relocation of the SETsquared Centre into Engine Shed, a refurbishment of Brunel’s Grade I listed original station at Bristol Temple Meads in a unique collaboration between the university and Bristol City Council. The SETsquared Centre is now jointly ranked as the best university business incubator in Europe.
Nick has also been chair of the South West Science Park and Incubator Leaders’ Forum and has sat on the boards of several business, charitable and voluntary organisations.
He currently represents the Bristol & Bath area on the TechCityUK Cluster Alliance and is on the advisory board for Common Purpose South West.
Richard Ayre, executive director of Cornwall-based children’s educational books supplier Clickety Books, remains an IoD council member.
