Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group
Key Competitive Attractions
The Thames Valley is one of the most prosperous regions of Europe and home to a large number of multinational companies and innovative business start-ups.
Renowned for a highly skilled workforce, beautiful countryside, close proximity to London, and easy access to Heathrow, the Thames Valley has become a destination of choice for business. On almost any conventional economic indicator, the sub-region outperforms its UK counterparts (excluding London).
The UK Competitiveness Index demonstrates the strength of the Thames Valley economy. Every local authority in the sub-region is ranked among the 62 most competitive local economies in the UK. Particularly strong results are recorded by Windsor and Maidenhead and Bracknell Forest (respectively ranked 7th and 13th out of 434 authorities).
Lobbying:
TVEP is able to support the interests and activities of those companies who do business in the Thames Valley and lobby regional and national government, in order to attract infrastructure funding to create a competitive and effective business environment.
Business Seminars:
We hold regular business seminars and networking events these include:
- Strategic Seminars
- Focused Seminars
- Members' Meetings and Receptions
- Executive Dinners
- A Thames Valley Business Dinner
We often organise free events for companies interested in finding new markets for their technologies and products. The meetings provide insights into the key issues in achieiving this through a 'behind the scenes' look at Thales R&T activities in Reading.
Assistance and Support For New Business Investors
Inward Investment:
TVEP provides a comprehensive support service for companies looking to locate in the Thames Valley. We are here to help at every stage of the process, supplying key strategic and economic information, introducing potential strategic partners, organising visits to the region and identifying suitable business premises. We will also introduce members of our Regional Development Group who provide expert advice on accountancy, banking, legal, HR and property issues (effecting the Inward Investor).
Business Support:
At TVEP, we are working with the Thames Valley business community to develop a networking culture. By establishing strong links across the public and private sectors, we are generating new opportunities for growth and commercial success.
Through our Investor Development Programme, we offer business services to existing companies in identifying new markets and expanding within the region.
Lobbying:
TVEP is able to support the interests and activities of those companies who do business in the Thames Valley and lobby regional and national government, in order to attract infrastructure funding to create a competitive and effective business environment.
Business Seminars:
We hold regular business seminars and networking events these include:
Strategic Seminars
Focused Seminars
Members' Meetings and Receptions
Executive Dinners
A Thames Valley Business Dinner
We often organise free events for companies interested in finding new markets for their technologies and products. The meetings provide insights into the key issues in achieiving this through a 'behind the scenes' look at Thales R&T activities in Reading.
Existing Business Base
Thames Valley is an economic centre and acts as an economic driver of the South East. Thames Valley accounts for over a fifth of the regional GVA (over £30 billion in 20061) with 17 per cent of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) workers in the region and is projected to do so beyond 2026.
The economic competitiveness of Thames Valley is further demonstrated by:
Economy:
- Higher than average productivity per worker
- High productivity growth - expected to outpace growth in the South East by an average of 0.2% annually to 2026
- High GVA per head - all the authorities in the Thames Valley fall within the top quartile of UK local authorities on this measure (Wycombe excepted) and four authorities fall within the top twenty
- Internationally, Berkshire is ranked 31st of all European NUTS2 3 regions relative to GDP, the second highest ranking of all UK regions (behind Inner London-West).
- A significant contribution to the exchequer - The region contributes not only to growth in the economy of UK plc, but is also a large net contributor to the Exchequer.
- The sub-region is highly competitive with every authority ranking in the top 15 per cent of the most competitive local economies in the UK
Business:
- The sub-region`s location in one of the most entrepreneurial parts of the country.
- Business services and communications driving the Thames Valley economy - likely to grow at 4.9 and 6.3 per cent respectively over the next twenty years
- A number of successful clusters which have emerged in the sub-region
