Transforming Telford

Transforming Telford, the economic development company for Telford and Wrekin has had a successful year, delivering strong performance throughout.

The company’s year ending report at 31st March 2008 shows that Transforming Telford has handled 187 investment enquiries, exceeding its targets by over 44%.

In the last financial year, Transforming Telford secured 12 new investors, including overseas investment from NOM and Weber. A great achievement as NOM alone will create 500 jobs over the next 5 years. With a strong pipeline in place the team has powered ahead and in April and May Wiltshire Farm Foods, Advanced Surface Polymers and Maxys Ltd have also been added to the list of companies to choose Telford as a business location.

239 new jobs have been created from both new investment and local company expansions. Jobs have also been safeguarded by supporting companies to grow and stay in Telford including Sirane Ltd, Protomold and Taz Co Pak.

Peter Roach, chair of Transforming Telford, said: “The Board is extremely pleased with this year’s performance. Having worked with over 400 businesses through a successful visit programme and engaged with over 1600 business people through a large number of events we have been encouraged by the positive feedback from Telford’s business community. We will continue to develop relationships with key partners, stakeholders and most importantly local businesses and with a positive pipeline of enquiries for the next few years build on the tremendous work already achieved.”

Transforming Telford not only provides business support but works to drive forward the physical regeneration of the area.

Peter Roach continues: “A major highlight for us has been the £440 million investment in Telford town centre by international real estate company Apollo Real Estate & Hark Group. Plans for a state of the art, mixed-use development will help put Telford on the map together with the Southwater Event Group plans for a new convention quarter. 2007 has seen a lot of hard work behind the scenes and we now have a great base to drive forward our key physical projects including the town centre regeneration and the hi technology development close to Junction 4 of the M54 at Lakeside and Nedge Hill Science Park.

ENDS

For further information please contact Lyanna Tsakiris, Willoughby PR T: 0121 456 3004 E: lyannat@willoughby-pr.co.uk