Dr David Brown Deputy Chair AWM Board

Board member Dr David Brown is Chief Executive of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Rugby-based international organisation for chemical, biochemical and process engineering professionals. He joined the Agency’s Board in 2006 and is currently its Deputy Chairman.

I'd been closely involved with Regional Development Agencies for some years in my job as a management consultant, and was convinced of their potential to make a real difference on the regional scale. The West Midlands is my home region, and one with real strengths that AWM is building on for everyone's benefit. So I wanted to get involved, help develop the agenda and take it forward.

I take a special interest in the innovation and knowledge transfer agenda, and in how we can help businesses to become more innovative and successful, and be a real magnet for talent. So I have a lot of contact with the full-time team specialising in those areas. As well as serving on the Board itself, I sit on the Innovation and Technology Council, the Birmingham Science City Partnership Board and the Board of the Central Technology Belt, one of our high technology corridors.

Throughout my time on the Advantage West Midlands board, I’ve been especially pleased to have helped shape the Science City initiative, fostering collaboration among some of the region’s top companies and universities, and to have guided the Central Technology Belt in creating the infrastructure for firms to grow and succeed. 

Working with AWM colleagues and others, I’ve been able to play a key role in bringing the INDEX innovation vouchers scheme to the West Midlands, a precedent now being followed nationally.

Further afield I chair West Midlands in Europe, dedicated to bringing business and R&D linkages as well as European funding to the region, raising its profile as a centre of innovation.

The most challenging aspect for a non executive is, as always, to be a source of advice, support and reflection - and constructive criticism at times – for the Board and Agency staff, while not getting in their way as they do the day job.

The most rewarding aspect of serving on the Board is undoubtedly seeing the Agency making a difference - urban land being revitalised, businesses being created and growing, science and engineering strengths translated into commercial success, opportunities opening up for young people because of projects and funding that Advantage West Midlands has made possible - and working with a really motivated team at the Agency to make that happen.

Sue Prince OBE

Board member Sue Prince is a businesswoman.

I’ve a particular interest in local food production and rural tourism and am committed to encouraging and supporting sustainable, collaborative, rural business developments.

I believe that to drive change you can’t just sit around waiting for something to happen, you have to get out there and actually do something, something, so when the opportunity arose to become a Board member, I felt it was the next logical step to take.

As a result, I have been part of the work prioritising our response to climate change. There are huge economic opportunities to be had in responding to this new agenda, for all businesses, but especially micro and SMEs. 

As a natural communicator, I have been pleased to spread the word about what we are trying to achieve with the West Midlands Economic Strategy. I have been able to explain ‘alignment’ and ensure that the organisations I have contact with are designing their strategies to be aligned with those of the rest of the West Midlands. 

I am passionate about our environment and the natural assets of the West Midlands - they provide important benefits for people living and working here. There is enormous potential, particularly in the present climate, for those who wish to use their valuable environments as a business asset. I work hard to keep that happening, through tourism, food production and innovation.

I see part of my role as aiding communication and demystifying Advantage West Midlands and the public sector – a bridge between the Agency and the outside world.

Through the Board my experiences and knowledge can really influence what happens across the whole region and knowing that I am making such an important contribution is inspiring. But it can also be quite daunting – as Board members we have a lot of responsibility.

I’d encourage other women to come on to the Board as it is a chance to get things done and change the way things happen. Being a Board member means that we can make a real difference to our region.