Thames Valley Economic Partnership Achievements
- TVEP commissioned a report with Deloittes: “Economic Changes facing the Thames Valley.” (2006)
- TVEP was the only business organisation from the Thames Valley invited to present to the Examination in Public of the South East plan. TVEP put the case for investment in successful economies, particularly in transport, following the report by Eddington and endorsement by the Chancellor in the budget report.
- TVEP is working with West London Business, BA, BAA and SEEDA to assess the ‘Heathrow Phenomenon’ and the value added that is created by the aviation sector it the sub-regional economy. Inner South East – TVEP is working with SEEDA, MKOBB on its sub-regional strategies survey.
- TVEP works in partnership with SEEDA and UK T&I to encourage overseas companies to locate in the region.
- In 2006/7 TVEP recorded 41 foreign-owned companies moving to the region. TVEP handled around 100 enquiries, hosted 21 company visits, hosted 12 UK T&I and other duty tours and assisted 15 companies directly which resulted in 150 new jobs in the region.
- TVEP has established good relationships with British American Business Council (BABC) and Joint Venture Silicon Valley and, with support from SEEDA, Silicon Valley Bank and TVEP members, organised an event in the US aimed at educating potential new investors on the advantages of locating in the UK’s Silicon Valley – the Thames Valley.
- TVEP published a comprehensive report on 2005/6 investment activity in the Thames Valley.
- TVEP helps new investors to raise their profile and become active in the local business community through
- Briefing events where new arrivals present to TVEP members, raising their profile and making valuable contacts. This has also resulted in new members for the Innovation Network.
- Marketing support – creating press release and case study published on TVEP web site and issued to local press
- TVEP is running a successful lobbying campaign for investment in transport infrastructure in the Thames Valley:
- Gained the ongoing support of major employers – Cisco, Dell, Microsoft, Oracle, Siemens.
- Brought together the region’s MPs to actively support the campaign
- Led a delegation of Thames Valley companies and MPs to present its case to the Ministry of Transport.
- Generated positive press coverage for the region.
- ‘Better Transport for the Thames Valley’ briefing in Jan 07 attracted over 70 people
- Of the six projects prioritised by TVEP, 2 are now committed and 3 others underway
- TVEP has built on the innovation programme it launched early 2006.
- TVEP’s Innovation Network - which aims to provide the connections to help accelerate the commercialisation of innovation - has grown from 136 in 2005/6 to over 300 in 2006/7.
- Six networking events were held, attracting 50-60 people on average and achieving positive press coverage for innovation in the Thames Valley
- Corporate involvement includes Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, Intel Capital, Vodafone
- Established regular meetings with Innovation Advisory Services, Business Link, Enterprise Hubs to enable reciprocal referrals.
- Created connections between corporates and innovative companies to help accelerate commercialisation. e.g. TVEP identified 20 companies to present innovative mobile ideas to Vodafone, resulting in 8 being referred to specialist departments in Vodafone for further investigation and 3 referred to other companies.
- TVEP organised the first Thames Valley Innovation Conference. Sponsors included SEEDA, NESTA and Cisco. More than 500 people registered to hear speakers including Gordon Frazer, MD of Microsoft UK and Phil Smith, Head of Technology and Marketing of Cisco. 15 innovative companies showcased their products, resulting in productive sales leads and contracts. Feedback was 95% positive.
- TVEP is supporting Berkshire LSC in management of the Berkshire Skills Alliance in 2007. Its purpose is to bring together major employers, further education establishments and public sector to respond to employers’ increasing skills needs by influencing the suitability of skills programmes in meeting needs.
- TVEP provides partial funding for TVIN. In 2006/7 the network generated a total of £50k investment for 7 companies.
- TVIN ran 5 investment meetings during the year where 24 companies presented their propositions.
