The Brunel Centre launch took place at the Roman Baths on 3 July 2025.

Professor Phil Taylor highlighted the timeliness of the launch, following the government’s plans to boost economic growth through the new industrial strategy and the election of the new mayor, Helen Godwin. He emphasised the benefit of the Brunel Centre being an independent voice, providing transparency through evidence-based data to deliver for region. He said:

We can really create a compelling narrative and that will enable us to boost investment into our region, drive up productivity, and reduce our inequalities. We also need to make huge progress in our net zero commitments. I think the Brunel Centre can provide the evidence base and the insight to power this change.

Jess Lee, Head of Strategy for the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), emphasised the importance of collaborating to drive forward opportunity for the region. She said:

The West of England needs to tell a story about what we can offer, how we can contribute towards national economic growth, and how that can be brought together to benefit the people of our region. We're looking forward to working together to really change the dial in the way that the West of England is being presented in Whitehall and beyond.

Professor Sir Steve West CBE, Vice-Chancellor, President and CEO of University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE), highlighted the advantage of having four strong universities in the region. He said:

Universities are magnets. They are engines of growth. We have local, regional and international reach, and that is going to be hugely important to the future of our regional economy. The challenge is about how we engage with Parliament and policymakers to make sure that regions like ours are not forgotten or lost.

Sir Iain Gray, Chair of Futures West, echoed the speakers in prioritising economic growth. He said:

Our role in the Brunel Centre is very much to be that interface with business. It's our role to challenge the research, the data, to make sure it's appropriate to the needs of business. We're all looking to improve the productivity of businesses in the region and to ensure economic growth.

Dr Lucy Martin, Director of the Brunel Centre, concluded the talks. She said:

We want the Brunel Centre to become the go to place for all the facts, stats, evidence and insight into the regional economy. This will enable us to point to the evidence base and collectively position where we want to take the region and have that single voice for the West.

You can also hear from Carla Denya MP, Bristol Central, and Vera Hobhouse MP, Bath, on how the Brunel Centre will benefit their political parties, as well as aspirations from our Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, Professor Sarah Hainsworth OBE. Watch our video to hear more from the stakeholders of the Brunel Centre.