Membership
Membership is by invitation to men and women who are prominent in the business and commercial life of the greater Bristol area, and who are prepared to give their time and skills in support of the Merchant Venturers’ objectives.
All the members meet together four times a year at what is known as Quarterly Hall, and again on Charter Day in November.
The Merchant Venturers are governed by the Master and two Wardens. They head a 15-strong Standing Committee of members who are elected annually on Charter Day, 10th November.
Day-to-day administration is carried out by the Treasurer, who is effectively the chief executive. He is advised as necessary by the Clerk, who is a lawyer.
Current Members
Colin Skellett
Colin Skellett is currently Executive Chairman of Wessex Water and a director of YTL Utilities UK. He is a scientist and engineer by training, holds a MSC in water engineering and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management.
He has worked in the water industry for over 40 years and has held a number of positions in the management and control of both water supply and sewage treatment. He is Chairman of the Initiative for Bath and North East Somerset, Non-Executive Chairman of European Connoisseurs Travel, President of Business West, a Fellow of the RSA and Junior Warden of the Merchant Venturers.
Appointed Chief Executive of Wessex Water in 1988, Colin oversaw the move from the public to the private sector and the transformation of Wessex Water into a highly rated private company.
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