“Local Government and business forge new Partnership to drive Economic Growth”

Business leaders from Wiltshire & Swindon have combined forces with their two Unitary authorities to form the Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Signed off by government in August, the LEP will focus its energies on growing the local economy, creating wealth, jobs and new business opportunities. One of the first tasks has been to identify how the partnership can harness the entrepreneurial drive that exists in this strategic sub-national area with a ‘can do’ culture in the public sector so that the area becomes a pivotal growth point for Southern England. The business working group is already mapping out which business sectors have the most growth potential and what is needed to encourage the new jobs, businesses and investment that will help address the challenges that we all face in these turbulent economic times.

A new business-led Board will be established by the beginning of 2012 to provide the leadership and direction needed to make sure that the scarce resources we have available will be put to best use. Recruitment will start in November and, once established, the Board will look to drive these ambitions for economic growth that will benefit the residents of Wiltshire & Swindon.