BUSINESS West has appointed a new manager for the Swindon initiative.

Dee Temple-Multon, who lives in Melksham, will take over from Mike Godfrey OBE who is retiring as manager for the Swindon and Wiltshire Initiative at the not-for-profit organisation supporting local firms.

Dee is an experienced business advisor and trainer who will continue in her part-time role as Innovation Specialist for Innnovate2Succeed in addition to her new role.

Ian Larrard, director of the initiative at Business West, said: “Dee brings a wealth of knowledge of the business sectors in Wiltshire and is a well-known and highly respected business figure in the county, standing her in good stead driving our local business engagement and lobbying activities.

"Dee’s extensive experience helping Wiltshire businesses grow and innovate aligns closely with the Government’s Industrial Strategy, which puts local collaboration and technological development at its core.”

Mike Godfrey, who was awarded in OBE in 2011 for services to the automotive industry after working at Honda as a senior engineer for 25 years, remains a non-executive director of Business West.