Thames Valley Growth Conference

Held at Syngenta’s R&D Facility in Bracknell, the Thames Valley Growth Conference focused on The Future of Business – People and Workplace, AI and Digital Tech – Raising Productivity and Smarter Working and the Future of the Thames Valley.

Sponsored by Knights and Buckinghamshire New University, the event brought together business leaders, educators, and civic stakeholders to explore the future of business, digital transformation, and sustainability.

Following opening speeches from Chamber CEO Paul Britton and Steve Smith from Syngenta, the first facilitated panel of the day, which focused on ‘The Future of Business – People and Workplace’ and was facilitated by Phil Smith CBE, Chair of Skills England welcomed speakers Ashley Wheaton, Vice Chancellor, University College of Estate Management, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director, Public Policy, British Chambers of Commerce and Professor Sarah Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor, External Collaborations at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU). The panel were also joined by BNU student, Joanna Zalewska-Jarvis, who gave valuable insights into what advice they would give to employers trying to attract the next generation of best talent.

As one delegate said: “It’s a crucial role for Skills England to bring together all the willing partners in business, education and other civic roles to simplify the system, raise skills levels and support growth and innovation across local areas”.

Audience posed questions to the panellists

Speakers shared insights on apprenticeships, upskilling in the workplace, and the growing role of AI and digital tech in shaping the future of business across the Thames Valley and delegates were able to engage with industry leaders and innovators, discussing a range of topics including the crucial connection between student destinations and addressing the employer skills shortage.

Delegates were encouraged to catch up with broadcaster Andrew Peach during the networking breaks, as he captured the views of those present.

The second session welcomed speakers with a discussion on AI and Digital Technology – Raising Productivity and Smarter Working. Neil Madle, Partnership Manager, South Region, City Fibre spoke about the recently launched City Fibre Digital Academy, an initiative being led by Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, using the wide network of 8 other UK Accredited Chambers to deliver workshops to help businesses thrive in an increasingly digital world. James Tyler, Managing Director, Equinix spoke of how the region is a mega cluster for data centres and the skills and infrastructure that is required to support future growth, whilst Abhi Naha, Digital Accelerator Director, AI & Quantum Computing, PwC, reflected on how business is responding to the opportunity of AI.

Active participation from the delegates

After lunch, this third session was about ‘What will the Thames Valley be famous for in 10 years time?” Supported by international market access, and inherent benefits of operating in the UK, the Thames Valley has been a successful inward investment destination for over 40 years. What’s next for the region? It is clear the role that the region has played in developing vaccines for the world’s population, with the convergence of AI and healthcare with companies like Moderna now being seen. What role is there for the home-grown science and knowledge-based communities spinning out from universities.

Host Joanna DeBiase, from Knights, lead the panel conversation with Martin Reeves, Chief Executive, Oxfordshire County Council, Prof Elena B. Spasova, Dean and Professor of International Business, Henley Business School, Ruth Bagley, the Chambers WRLtH lead and Rich Fisher, Business Lead – Long-Term Rolling Stock Strategy, GWR.

This was an event that brought together ambitious businesses from across the region, confirming that continued growth in the Thames Valley is vital to the UK as a whole but requires joined up thinking from all including Government, both local and national, to provide the communication and transport links that will enable inward investment and homegrown talent to flourish.