Burges Salmon Partner appointed HRH Ambassador for the South West
19 July 2008
Prince Charles has appointed Burges Salmon's ex Senior Partner, Bob Smyth, as HRH Ambassador for the South West 2008.
Announced at the Business in The Community regional Awards for Excellence, held in Bristol on 30 June, Bob's appointment as HRH Ambassador for the South West is in recognition of his leadership and support of environmental and sustainability initiatives in the region for well over a decade.
His membership of the Sustainable Development Advisory Group of the Bristol Local Strategic Partnership and Chairmanship of the local Agenda 21 Sustainable Business group have, over the years, contributed to a greater awareness of the responsibility of the business community to take action on the environment.
Prince Charles paid tribute to Bob's work in a pre-recorded video message played during the ceremony. He said:
"His work has resulted in a far greater awareness of the responsibility of the business community to take action on the environment and I am not in the least surprised that Bob has been instrumental in Burges Salmon's involvement in the development of the Legal Sector's Alliance to fight the battle against climate change.
"Bob also chairs my 'Seeing is Believing' network for the West of England and, thanks to him, it has achieved a higher profile, engaged more members and provided the right focus for future visits.
"I am also particularly grateful to him for leading a visit last year - Business in the Community's silver jubilee year.
"Bob has an extraordinary ability to make a real and practical difference and to lead by example and that is why I am so pleased to name him my Business in the Community Ambassador for the South West."
As a driving force within Burges Salmon, Bob has engaged the firm in a range of activities from Race for Opportunity, ProHelp and, most recently, Business Action on Homelessness.
As Chair of the Seeing is Believing Network in the West of England Bob is working to raise its profile, engage more members and ensure future visits are relevant and focused on key regional issues
Peter Andrews, Director of Life Cycle UK, comments;
"Bob’s been a model trustee: diligent, attentive, always available to offer advice and expertise. He’s brought energy and imagination to the organisation and has always been keen to see Life Cycle develop its potential and take the cycling message to more people both in Bristol and beyond. He talks the talk, and walks the walk."
On receiving the surprise award, Bob said:
“It is both a great honour and a great responsibility to be appointed the Prince’s Ambassador for the South West. I will continue to promote good corporate behaviour and responsibility in the business/law community, especially during these times of economic instability when CSR is prone to slipping down an organisation's list of priorities.”
Bob concluded:
“I am very pleased for Burges Salmon to be involved with BITC and I am proud of the investment the partnership has made to responsible business.