A managing director at a regional publisher has joined a business organisation as a new director.

Sarah Pullen who is MD of Local World’s titles in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset, has become a board member at Business West.

The business leadership organisation covers the region, representing and working with more than 6,000 businesses, and Sarah joins the existing directors, who include Peter Rilett, chairman of North Bristol Hospital Trust and Colin Skellett, chairman of Wessex Water and of the West of England LEP.

Last December, Sarah became managing director of the publisher’s Bristol News and Media subsidiary in addition to her existing duties as MD for the company’s Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset titles.

In a story about her appointment as director, Sarah said: “The influence of Business West and its Chambers of Commerce in Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath and Wiltshire, is far reaching and I firmly believe in the importance of the leadership, representation and business support role that it plays at local, regional and national level.”

Phil Smith, MD of Business West said: I am delighted to welcome Sarah who, with a career devoted to the regional press and now MD of Local World, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset & Dorset, which produces dozens of thriving titles and websites to an audience of hundreds of thousands, brings with her an impressive wealth of business knowledge.

“I have no doubt that Business West will benefit from her vast experience of communications.

“Our board of directors is made up of unpaid volunteers, giving freely of their time and business expertise and we greatly value their help in the development of Business West.”