SSEP Conference 2008

Driving Swindon Forward 2008

Around 150 businesses and organisations attended the 2nd Annual Swindon Strategic Economic Partnership (SSEP) Conference on Friday 14th November.  The Liddington provided the venue for the event which drew attendees from a cross-section of the local business community including many large international companies (eg Honda, Nationwide, RWE nPower, Arval), small and medium enterprises, the Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses, Business Link, educational organisations, and Swindon Borough Council’s Leader and Cabinet.  The Mayor, Anne Snelgrove MP, and various Swindon Borough Council officers also attended.

Two high-profile local business personalities spoke at the conference with Fionnuala Earley, Chief Economist with Nationwide Building Society (and Radio 4 Today Programme regular), giving an expert overview of the current economic downturn and her long term forecast for recovery and growth.  Local entrepreneur, Jamie Murray Wells, spoke about the meteoric growth of his company Glasses Direct, which is now the largest direct retailer of custom made prescription glasses in the world. Both speakers were well received and were on hand to answer questions from the floor.

Attendees were invited to take part in a panel discussion on the regeneration of the town centre and a workshop on Swindon's potential to attract high-tech companies in the future.

Rikki Hunt, Chair of the SSEP, talked about the success of the SSEP over the last twelve months and its objectives for the future.  He also told the attendees about the planned Swindon Ambassadors scheme and thanked eight taxi drivers from V-Cars for agreeing to take part in the initial stages.  A presentation was also made to OMG Hair and Beauty, who won the 2008 SSEP Swindon New Business Competition.  

Following Fionnuala Earley’s outlook for the economy, delegates were invited to consider how local companies and the Council can work together for the mutual benefit of the Swindon economy.  Ideas put forward include encouraging more business relationships between local companies; spreading Swindon’s positive messages; and signing up to the Swindon Business Charter.

Rikki Hunt said, “The Conference provided a good platform for the partnership to hear the views of the local businesses.  There is now a call to action for the Council, the SSEP, and the local business community to work together to ensure Swindon continues  to enjoy a prosperous, growing economy”.

Vanda Tanner from OMG added, “the SSEP plays a vital role in moving Swindon forward through these difficult economic times and today’s conference went a long way towards achieving that”.