Swindon is now a high tech centre of excellence with a thriving industrial and commercial centre. It is home to many of Chamber member companies such as Honda, BMW, Thames Water, The First Group and DHL Exel.

The Swindon Chamber Council:

• Joanne Stagg - Council President (Swindon Marriott)
• Mike Godfrey (Honda)
• Rob Harman (Morris Owen)
• John Davies (Thring Townsend)
• Michelle Peters (HSBC)
• Ant Hodges (Creative Rush)
• Christine Pratt (National Bullying Helpline)
• Nick Davis (Abacus Photography)
• David Latham (Richmond Fellowship Wiltshire)
• Debbie Watts (Ashlar ID)

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 must be catered for and the Chamber intends to work with those responsible for delivering a skilled workforce to ensure those needs are met.

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.

The British Chambers of Commerce

At a national level, the Chamber 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 the Chamber knows that businesses need all the support they can get to compete globally.

The Chamber call on the Swindon Business Community to help them 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

The Chamber 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 the Swindon Strategic Economic Partnership to deliver the region’s economic development.

Further Information

For further information, visit the Swindon Chamber pages in the Thames Valley Chamber Group website or contact:

Christina Howell
Swindon Chamber of Commerce
15 Dorcan Business Village
Murdoch Lane
Swindon
SN13 5HY

Telephone: 01753 870500

Email: christinahowell@thamesvalleychamber.co.uk