9


Kendrick are complemented by UTC Reading, formed in 2013, which has rapidly become an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ university technical college majoring on computer sciences and engineering, among other key vocational skills.


Moving further into careers, Henley Business School forms part of the University of Reading campus – both world-renowned academic bodies.


High-quality, professionally- acclaimed, legal, financial, accountancy and business advice is readily at hand in Reading.


Attend any of our Business Magazine Thames Valley award evenings, usually held in Reading, and you can’t fail to be impressed by the excellence of the professional standards, diversity and depth of companies, the talented individuals and frankly the vibrant business ‘buzz’ revealed by such gala occasions.


Reading has been headlined by many UK and European studies, surveys and economic performance charts, but as an evolving town it needs to sustain its award-winning performance.


Avoiding complacency is the challenge.


As Scott Witchalls remarked: “We need to keep striving to be better as a place, or face slipping behind our competitors. A lot of other UK cities would bite off their arm to have Reading’s success.”


In conclusion


I was born to the west of Reading in one of just nine detached properties in a mile-long road overlooking fields and woodland. Today, my home does not exist and the land around it is covered with residential housing.


As a youngster I could take a route-17 bus from Tilehurst all the way through Reading to the Three Tuns at Earley. I still could, although the scenery of Reading has altered a great deal and that youthful trolley bus powered via overhead lines is now an efficient super-green bio- gas bus provided by award-winning Reading Buses, still one of the best operators in Great Britain.


During my working career, I’ve helped publicise the central-Reading closure of the Courage brewery, promote the


opening of its successor at Worton Grange just off M4 J11, its subsequent closure, and replacement by Tesco’s major distribution complex.


I don’t bemoan such changes. They are natural evolutionary results of a market town that has grown from its rural roots, prospered through its location and inherent vibrant business environment, kept up with the times (admittedly, not always as a pioneer), and now become a major player on the UK and European stage.


Scott Witchalls highlighted Reading’s biggest asset as its ability to embrace and adapt to change. It wasn’t always so, but I tend to agree with him now.


Throughout my working life, I’ve wondered if Reading will ever be officially named as a city? Today, I simply ask: Does it matter? The town is already a city in all but name.


And how to enhance Reading’s reputation? Isn’t that up to those of us who are residents, or work or run companies within the town, to help our local authorities and business organisations in banging Reading’s drum and telling the world how good it is to be here?


LEADING THE WAY IN IT TRANSFORMATION


MODERN DATA CENTRE - MODERN WORKSPACE SECURITY, ASSURANCE & COMPLIANCE INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION


For businesses that need to increase productivity by doing more with less, or want to support company growth, we provide services that make technology a positive asset for your organisation.


WWW.ULTIMA.COM


READING NUMBER 1 CITY UPDATE – JULY/AUGUST 2018


businessmag.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20