Nick Sturge, who started off as the entrepreneur in residence at the Centre in 2005 before becoming Director in 2006, will sit on the new Skills and Competitiveness Board of the West of England Strategic Partnership, which covers the four unitary authority areas of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

"The Bristol City region has massive potential for social and economic growth - these being inextricably linked,” said Nick. “People are key to that growth and through the work that the University does through the SETsquared Business Acceleration Centre, and my role as Chairman of the Institute of Directors in Bristol, I can contribute valuable knowledge and insight as to the needs of high value businesses for the high-value skills and a competitive environment.

“I am delighted to be able to be part of growing Bristol's fortunes through the Skills & Competitiveness Board."

SETsquared is a collaboration between the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey. Backed by government money, it supports new technology businesses in the area by providing a mentoring service and business advice to entrepreneurs starting out in business.

It currently supports 40 companies, who between them employ about 250 people and has raised over £45m in the last 2.5 years.