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Witchalls urged businesses to support the LEP’s championing of progress towards an extended Heathrow, Western Rail Link, and the M4 smart motorway.
People and infrastructure were the key challenges, stated Pickering. And, the fundamental change in the way people worked today – anywhere, anytime and more flexibly – meant good connectivity was now essential.
provide the right ethos and lifestyle in their workplaces, but there is a need to lobby government for the important strategic things that will keep the Thames Valley as the second biggest economy in the country.
“We need to talk ourselves into growth, and on the back of that make sure it is all delivered.”
What will your business look like in five years?
Sim: “More of the same but internationally, and probably acquisitions in our leisure space. We will need to be as professional managing an international business as we are now in Europe and USA.”
Scott Witchalls
But, connectivity was still not resolved throughout the Thames Valley, Wilcox noted.
And today’s connectivity won’t be good enough, Tatham explained, since businesses would want to move to cloud-connected operations in future.
Pickering said his office already operated without a server. The BYOD trend with staff using 4G cloud- connectivity might actually “see the push to fibre ending up as a crazy joke.”
Murray flagged up the lack of affordable housing for incoming talent.
Barnes highlighted that Thames Valley accommodation was still much cheaper than London. Crossrail was already attracting residential and business relocation to the region from London, and startups were being assisted through local LEP accelerator funding schemes.
Crossrail and the new Science Park in Reading were both confidence- boosting developments for the future Thames Valley, Witchalls agreed. However, other major strategic regional needs were largely shackled by the lethargic decision-making and inadequate support of central government.
“We need to market the region as a great place to locate businesses, and uncertainty about planning, housing and infrastructure makes an impact. Businesses can do everything to
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2016
Tatham: “We have a plan to double our revenue every four years, and approach £4b within five years. The thing is where are we investing today for our tomorrow?” He mentioned cloud infrastructure support and 3D-printing.
Grundon had just announced international ventures in the emerging markets of the Middle East and Africa, revealed George. Nearer home, he anticipated geographic acquisitions to expand its UK portfolio, plus differentiating Grundon from the competition through “more robust processes, innovation and providing additional services for our clients.” He mentioned maximising what can be recycled, and Grundon’s recent purchase of an aerosol recycling plant – “driving value from every element of a product that would typically have gone for disposal at landfill.”
What advice have you got for aspiring ‘winners’?
Sim: “Ensure senior management doesn’t make itself aloof from the organisation. Keep involved in the ‘deep and dirty’ day-to- day business.”
Wilcox: “Keep focus, be single-minded, have a clear plan. Don’t get distracted by fire- fighting.”
Dhillon: “Invest in technology, the world is changing rapidly.”
David Murray Sponsors
Sarah Stevenson
Dhillon: “Technology will continue to play a big part in our industry, plus the emphasis on ‘green’ environmental services.” Consultancy work would help FISco’s growth, as would M&A activities. “Our key challenges will be to maintain our quality of delivery and to bring the right people into our business.”
www.businessmag.co.uk
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