A message from Ruth Bagley, Chief Executive of Slough Borough Council
Economic conditions for Slough remain both fast changing
and challenging. The global financial crisis and the recession
which followed have placed immense pressure on our
businesses and on our communities. Fortunately, we
entered this period in reasonably good economic shape.
Slough contains some of the country’s leading companies
heavily concentrated in Slough and is an attractive location
for both European and global HQs. A highly motivated and
well-skilled workforce drawn from within the borough and
further afield and a strong spirit of innovation have helped
the area maintain a fairly stable economic position, despite
the economic difficulties.
The policy landscape is also changing, with the Government
providing a new basis for local and sub-regional economic
growth. The Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise
Partnership (LEP) is already established and is setting out
its strategy to support sustainable economic prosperity.
For the LEP, Slough is leading on evaluating and promoting a
rail link from the Great Western Railway to Heathrow. These
and other initiatives will help East Berkshire partners and
stakeholders to influence important economic development
agendas and take advantage of policy change.
We must not be complacent. Our Local Economic
Assessment and further health of the local economy
reports, highlighted the need for us to improve and build
upon what has been achieved so far, and use our strengths
to maintain our resilience in the face of economic pressures.
In particular, we must ensure that Slough remains one of
the most attractive places in the UK for high-skill, high-value
business. There is a need to ensure key assets are in place
to support new business and growth within a desirable
range of sectors including advanced functions in business
and financial services, ICT and digital technology, and in
environmental technologies. The East Berkshire economy
relies heavily on flexible labour market movements with
residents from the area taking advantage of employment
opportunities in London, and significant flows coming into
our area from London each day. To ensure the sustainable
development of our labour markets, we must take full
advantage of the arrival of the new Crossrail connections
to Slough.
There is a clear need for us to make sure that local people
are given the opportunities to develop their skills and
education and positively position themselves to take
advantage of the high quality employment opportunities
available within the area. The relationship between skills,
business growth and housing is especially important.
We have a duty to continue planning for sustainable
communities that have access to quality amenities and
support the business base. An environment that fully
supports entrepreneurship and new business ventures,
across industries and communities, is a vital part of our
economic strategy for the future.
We currently face many challenges around resourcing and
funding economic development priorities. To ensure that
a shared agenda of sustainable and inclusive economic
growth is successfully sought after, it is vitally important
that a strong relationship between private and public
partners is developed and continues to develop. At Slough
Borough Council we work hard to help businesses flourish
and sustain the Slough economy. We build collaborative
relationships with businesses, helping them to experience
the many benefits of locating in Slough. The council is
currently working with business partners to improve the
skills of local people, to strengthen access to the town
and to improve the image of Slough as a place to live, work
and play.
This directory will help you find out more about the council
services and local facilities which can help your business.
You’ll also find a helpful list of other companies based in the
area. Who knows, perhaps a contact for your biggest ever
sale, or a potential business partner who could transform
your operations lies within these pages?.
Finally, as a council, we are grateful for the contribution
by our partners in the development of this directory.
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Slough Business Directory
2014
