He holds a number of national and international advisory appointments in higher education, healthcare policy and regional government.

[2] In 2018 West was criticised for claiming over £43,000 in expenses for items like chauffeur-driven car trips to London in an 18 month period.

Professor West is chair of the UK Mental Health in Higher Education Advisory Group[7] and a non-executive director of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board.

[15] He also served as President for the Anchor Society,[16] a charity for the care of older people in the Bristol area, in 2018.

[18] West was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to higher education[19] and was made a deputy lieutenant of Gloucestershire in 2012.