In January, we received an unusual enquiry through our website. Rather than an enquiry for product render, EMC consultancy or schematic design; it was a request from Mayor Marvin Rees asking to meet with our Managing Director, Paul Mullen, and all Cubik employees. He wanted to understand the work that we are doing and hear about our priorities and challenges. It was also an opportunity for the team to learn more about Marvin’s vision for the city and for our staff to speak with him about any topics, either directly related to their work or wider Bristol issues.

On the Thursday 28 February, Cubik Innovation hosted Mayor Rees for a whistle stop tour.

Paul and Sam sat down with Mayor Rees and Simon Cowley (Mayoral Policy Manager) to give introductions. Discussions then moved on to what the mayoral office could do to assist Cubik and other small businesses, in making business within Bristol, the UK, Europe and the world, easier and more viable. One concern raised by Cubik was the removal of small grants handed out to entrepreneurs and inventors, early in a product life cycle. After some discussion a potential route forward was proposed.

Mayor Rees was then given the opportunity to tour our facility and get hands on with some of our technology, followed by a Q&A with the team. The Bristol Mayor was questioned on everything from Bristol as a design and engineering hub of Europe, Brexit, the inner-city arena, gender equality in the workplace, paid parking at the workplace to commute transport within the city boundaries. The conversation was a fierce but fair one leaving most satisfied with the justification of the council actions as well as future plans.

This was a great opportunity for both parties to learn how decisions are made, whether it be at a local business level, or local council level. Ideas were exchanged, justifications for actions provided and it has led to an on-going discussion from both sides. From everyone at Cubik, thanks for your time, Mayor Rees and watch this space.