Business leaders from across Aldershot and Farnborough met on Friday (6 February) to discuss the formation of a new partnership dedicated to boosting jobs and economic growth in the two towns.
The Aldershot and Farnborough Growth Partnership was convened by Alex Baker MP and Councillor Gareth Willliams, Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council.
Representatives from some of Rushmoor’s most significant businesses have agreed to work together with Rushmoor Borough Council and other public sector partners on a range of issues, capitalising on the area’s existing business strengths in the defence, aerospace and engineering industries.
The aim is to provide more jobs and opportunities for local people and smaller businesses, to enable residents to get access to high-paid employment and deliver improvements to the infrastructure of the towns known as the home of the British Army and the birthplace of British aviation.
The members of the Aldershot and Farnborough Growth Partnership will act as ambassadors for Aldershot and Farnborough, promoting the towns’ strengths, opportunities and ambitions to industry-peers, investors and government as well as to local residents and to local supply-chain businesses.
Partners will also provide strategic input and advice into the development of the two towns. Specifically, they will:
- Attract investment
Leveraging Aldershot and Farnborough’s global reputation, strategic assets and defence heritage to attract public and private sector investment - Drive innovation
Positioning Aldershot and Farnborough as a leading centre for defence, aerospace and technology-led businesses, research and development. - Promote skills and training
Ensuring local residents benefit from the area’s economic strengths by improving access to skills, training and higher-quality employment opportunities. - Build strong communities
Supporting the sustainable development and regeneration of Rushmoor’s towns to meet the needs of businesses, residents and visitors.
Alex Baker, MP for Aldershot and Farnborough said: "Aldershot and Farnborough play incredibly important roles in serving the nation. These towns are not simply home to the army, they are also home to a huge number of world-class defence and aerospace businesses.
Alex added: "With the government increasing investment in our armed forces to unprecedented levels, there has never been a better time to shout out about the vital role we have to play. By bringing business leaders together in a Growth Partnership, we mean to advertise our strengths – particularly our high-tech innovation and manufacturing prowess - and work together to generate new investment and new jobs and opportunities for the local community."
Steve Wadey, CEO of QinetiQ said: “With our long-standing commitment to the area, we welcome the opportunity to play a leading role in accelerating local economic growth. We recognise the potential of this community to unlock new opportunities that shape the nation’s defence and security through the delivery of cutting-edge technology and highly skilled jobs.”
Councillor Gareth Williams, Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, said: "Aldershot and Farnborough are home to hundreds of businesses, large and small, that supply our armed forces and aviation and engineering industries and provide local employment. The Growth Partnership will work collaboratively to ensure that our community takes advantage of the thousands of well paid, highly skilled jobs and supply chain opportunities that expansion of these industries will deliver, and that we use the increased prosperity that this will bring to revive our town centres and housing for the community.”
Partners at the launch event were:
- ADS
- Aldershot Garrison
- Alex Baker MP
- Farnborough Aerospace Consortium
- Farnborough Airport Limited
- Farnborough College of Technology
- Farnborough Sixth Form College
- Farnborough International Limited
- Folio Inc
- Frasers Property Group (Farnborough Business Park)
- QinetiQ
- Rushmoor Borough Council
- TISICS
- Viasat
- Wilky Group
- XLB/ Cody Technology Park
Any business or organisation interested in being involved with the Aldershot and Farnborough Growth Partnership should contact business@rushmoor.gov.uk.
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