COO Appointed to Gloucestershire Business Board
Giving the Forest of Dean a Strong Voice at the County’s Top Table
K W Bell Group is delighted to announce that our Chief Operating Officer, Nicola Bird, has been appointed to Gloucestershire’s newly established Business Board.
The Board brings together senior business leaders, education providers and industry representatives from across the county to help shape Gloucestershire’s economic future and support the delivery of the Local Growth Plan.
Representatives include leading organisations from advanced engineering, manufacturing, cyber and technology, education, energy and innovation, creating a powerful partnership between industry, skills providers and public sector organisations.
For Nicola, the appointment is an opportunity to ensure that the Forest of Dean has a strong, influential and practical voice in conversations that will shape investment, skills development and economic growth across Gloucestershire.
"One of the most important roles I can play is ensuring the Forest of Dean is represented at the highest level. Too often, rural communities and businesses can be overlooked when decisions are made. This is an opportunity to champion the strengths, ambitions and potential of our area and help secure opportunities that benefit local people and businesses."
The Gloucestershire Business Board has identified several priority sectors that will drive future growth across the county, including:
Cyber and secure technologies
Advanced engineering and manufacturing
Agritech
Energy and low-carbon innovation
The Board's focus is firmly on turning ambition into action by providing practical support, clear direction and meaningful progress for businesses throughout Gloucestershire.
Nicola brings extensive experience from her roles across K W Bell Group, Bell Homes, Bell Contracting and AccXel Construction School, alongside her involvement with industry bodies including CITB and the Forest Economic Partnership.
Peter Bell, CEO of K W Bell Group, commented:
"We are incredibly proud to see Nicola appointed to the Gloucestershire Business Board. She is passionate about creating opportunities for people, supporting skills development and ensuring businesses have a voice. This appointment not only recognises her contribution to the industry but also provides an important opportunity for the Forest of Dean and the construction sector to be represented at county level."
As a fourth-generation family business employing hundreds of people across Gloucestershire and beyond, K W Bell Group understands the importance of strong collaboration between business, education and local communities.
We look forward to supporting Nicola in this role and helping ensure Gloucestershire continues to be a great place to live, work, invest and build a future.