Swindon is now a high tech centre of excellence
with a thriving industrial and commercial centre. It is home
to many of our Chamber member companies such as Honda, BMW,
Thames Water, The First Group and DHL Exel.
To view Swindon's event listing for 2008 click
here
The Chamber’s council for Swindon:
Joanna Stagg: Council President
Company: Marriott Hotel
Contact number: 01793 512121
Email: joanne.stagg@marriott.com
Mike Godfrey
Company: Honda
Contact number: 01793 416 543
Email: mike.godfrey@honda-eu.com
Rob Harman
Company: Morris Owen
Contact number: 07973 878 466
Email: rob.harman@morrisowen.com
John Davies
Company: Thring Townsend
Contact number: 01793 412 634
Email: jdavies@ttuk.com
Michelle Peters
Company: HSBC
Contact number: 0845 5838550
Email: michellepeters@hsbc.com
Ant Hodges
Company: Creative Rush
Contact number: 01793 600769
Email: ant@creativerush.co.uk
Christine Pratt
Company: National Bullying Helpline
Contact number: 0845 2255787
Email: admin@hrdiversity.co.uk
Nick Davis
Company: Abacus Photography
Contact number: 01793 537257
Email: nick@allphotos.co.uk
David Latham
Company: Richmond Fellowship Wiltshire
Contact number: 01793 433571
Email: david.latham@richmondfelloeship.org.uk
Debbie Watts
Company: Ashlar ID
Contact number: 07824 317217
Email: debbie.watts@ashlar-id.com
Regeneration
According to The New Swindon Company, the regeneration of Swindon
will see an overall investment of £1 billion and as a
consequence the town centre will attract 10,000 new jobs and
3,000 new homes. The Chamber will use its political leverage
to support the New Swindon Company and others to bring about
a successful regeneration of Swindon.
Workforce and Skills
It is recorded that Swindon proudly has the
4th largest workforce in the South West, and this fact alone
is a major positive to attract inward investors. Re-skilling
is going to be critical to ensure that the available workforce
is suitably equipped. The needs of new businesses we seek
to attract to Swindon must be catered for and we intend to
work with those responsible for delivering a skilled workforce
to ensure those needs are met.
Education
Hear the latest stance regarding the University
of Bath's Gateway development project - just click
here
Inward Investment
The new Accredited Swindon Chamber of Commerce is committed
to working with the private and public sector to promote Swindon
as a place to do business given its strategic geographical
location in terms of transport links which include:
• its strategic proximity directly on the M4
• its less than 1 hour from London with a main line
rail service to London
• the main line rail service to the West
• Swindon’s significant access to docks and airports
including:
o Heathrow airport
o Bristol airport
o Southampton docks
o Avonmouth docks
Affordable Homes
House prices continue to rise in Swindon, resulting in the
fact that home ownership is not a viable option for many.
The provision of affordable homes is a major priority for
business to mitigate the escalating cost of recruitment and
to provide a local workforce easing congestion and environmental
impact.
The British Chambers of Commerce
At a national level, we hold a place on the National Policy
Council and the New Accredited Swindon Chamber of Commerce
is lobbying government to reduce the regulatory burden of
red tape. The cost to UK business since 1998 has escalated
to £50 billion.
With the rising cost of energy, lack of suitable skills and
the lack of investment in transport infrastructure we know
businesses need all the support they can get to compete globally.
We call on the Swindon Business Community to help us lobby
nationally, regionally and locally to ensure a long term positive
environment for businesses to thrive.
The Chamber’s policy department really want to hear
your views and opinions and would welcome a call from any
business to discuss issues that can be addressed.
Partnership Working
We know the only way to get things done is by partnership
working with organisations that have proven they can get things
done. The New Accredited Chamber of Commerce welcomes the
opportunity to work with partners such as Swindon Borough
Council, The New Swindon Company and local Economic Partnerships
to deliver the region’s economic development.
Links
www.swindon.gov.uk
Swindon Borough Council website
www.ssep.org.uk
The Swindon Strategic Economic Partnership (SSEP) was set
up in 2006 to lead on the delivery of the headline Local Area
Agreement aim to assert Swindon as The UK’s Best Business
Location.
www.maketheconnection.co.uk
Swindon Borough Council's inward investment website
