The FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) has chosen a new chairman to head up the group's local grassroots teams throughout the South West.

Lee Nathan, whose creative design agency, Studiovine, has offices in both Plymouth and Bristol, has become the regional chair for the FSB South West region, which includes thousands of members from Cornwall to Gloucestershire.

The FSB is Britain's biggest business representation group and the 35-year-old, who moved from Devon to Bristol last year, sees his role as being a vital one to ensure the needs of small businesses throughout the South West region remain firmly on the radar of the powers-that-be.

Mr Nathan said: "I'm delighted to have been appointed to this key role and I hope the fact that I am in my 30s sends a positive and clear sign that the FSB is a forward-thinking organisation determined to do everything to help and support our members, whatever their background or business.

"I look forward to working with our excellent South West regional team and local members throughout this area to ensure we stay at the heart of the local debate and at the forefront of business policy decision-making."

The new chairman - who was the youngest person to hold senior FSB member positions in Devon and is now the youngest FSB regional chair in the country - will work alongside a number of elected FSB area leads throughout the region to deal with local issues, support event activity and be part of wider FSB policy discussions throughout the UK.