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Slough Business Directory
2018
24
www.slough.gov.ukSlough
’
s Sectors
Information Communications Technology (ICT)
16% of
workforce
13,000
jobs
Cyber
Security
Data
Centres
Cloud
Computing
Mobile Device
Market
Software
Development
M4, M25, M40
Motorways
Slough
Trading Estate
Digital
Infrastructure
Skills
Education
London
Heathrow Airport
820 businesses
There are three distinctive and inter-related, features of
the local economy in Slough: the importance of technology
based activity; the significance of internationalisation;
and the role of corporates. All three are related to the area
’
s
strong relationship with London and close proximity to
Heathrow Airport. Slough
’
s diverse mix of sector clusters
and workforce provide opportunities for cross-sector
collaboration and knowledge transfer.
The Slough Business Focus Study (March 2015) recognises
ICT as a key sector, the concentration of employment in
this sector is five times higher than the national level (3.2%).
It employs around 13,000 people across 820 businesses in
Slough which amounts to over 16% of the total workforce.
In contrast, ICT employs just 6% of the total workforce in
the South East; Slough therefore is seen as a centre of
concentration for ICT skills. There is little wonder that
the Thames Valley is often referred to as
“
The Silicon Valley
of Europe
”
.
There is a fairly even distribution of businesses across
Slough, although there are notable concentrations around
Slough Trading Estate and the town centre. Large firms
located in Slough include Telefonica O2 (1,600 employees),
Blackberry (550 employees) and Travelport (500 employees).