Access Keys:
Skip navigation (Access Key - S)
Home page (Access Key - 1)
Site map (Access Key - 3)
Search (Access Key - 4)
Terms and conditions (Access Key - 8)
Feedback form (Access Key - 9)
Access key details (Access Key - 0)

Bryan Gray CBE DL – Chairman

Byran Gray, Chairman NWDA

Bryan Gray is Chairman of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).  The NWDA is one of nine Regional Development Agencies established by the Government to develop the English regions.

Bryan was Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman of Baxi Group Limited, one of Europe's leading heating companies and was latterly Chairman of Baxi Technologies.  He was Vice President of Micropower Council, promoting new energy technologies.

He is Pro Chancellor of the University of Lancaster and an honorary Professor in the Department of the Built Environment at the University of Nottingham.  He leads for the RDAs on skills and education and is a member of the National Learning & Skills Council.  He was Chairman of Preston North End Football Club until October 2001 and was founder chairman of the National Football Museum.  He is Chairman of Liverpool Culture Company, a Trustee of National Museums Liverpool, and was a Director of Culture Northwest until November 2008.  Bryan was a member of Liverpool Cathedral Council until February 2009.

From 2000 to 2002 he was Chair of CBI North West.  He was awarded an MBE for services to regeneration in Preston in 2001, and an honorary fellowship of the University of Central Lancashire in 2004.  He was a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire and was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 2003/04.  He is also Non-executive Chairman of Westmorland Limited, and a member of the Lake District National Park Authority.  He became a Non-executive Director of United Utilities Water Company in April 2008 but stood down in December when asked to continue at NWDA.  He became Chairman of Peel Media in 2008.  He is also Chair of Carlisle Renaissance.

Other interests include being Chair of the Lowther Castle & Gardens Trust and Chair of the newly formed Churches Trust for Cumbria.

In 2006 he was awarded HRH The Prince of Wales’ Ambassador Award for the North West in July 2006. 

In 2009 he was awarded a CBE in recognition for services to Business and to the community in the North West.

Board sub-committee involvement:

  • Renumeration and Appointments Committee (Chair)
  • Sub Regional Strategic Liaison Committee (Chair)

Bryan Gray - Register of Interests Updated Feb 09

Investing in England's Northwest (link opens in a new window)