Reading UK exists to boost business and enhance visitor experiences in a way that improves the quality of life of all in the Reading region

Reading UK was established in 2007 as a Community Interest Company (CIC). It operates as a private sector led partnership with the public sector to create opportunities and remove barriers to growth in Reading, enhance opportunities for all and improve the reputation of Reading at all levels.

Reading UK exists to drive growth for Reading to create an economy which is competitive and attractive to global business, which boasts a vibrant 24/7 retail, arts, cultural and hospitality sector at its centre, supports strong local business sectors, creates employment opportunities for local people of all ages and promotes the benefits of a strong economy to everyone that lives, works or visits Reading.

In 2016/17, Reading UK CIC delivered against these objectives with a series of high profile programmes and projects, including a new Economic Development Plan for Reading which sets the future economic direction for the town. ‘Growing Opportunity 2016-2020’ identifies priority actions and outcomes for interventions in Reading’s labour market and economy along with actions to raise the town’s profile as a place of growing opportunity.

Highlights of the work undertaken by Reading UK in this regard in 2016/17 included managing Reading’s Year of Culture 2016, completing the City Deal skills project for Reading and achieving Purple Flag status for Reading’s night-time economy. 

Reading UK’s objectives for growing opportunity 2016-20:-

1. Enhance the opportunities and experiences for residents, businesses, visitors and organisations in the Reading economic area

2. Create opportunities and remove barriers to growth for individuals, investors and organisations in the Reading area

3.  Improve the reputation of the Reading region locally, nationally and internationally

4.  Govern Reading UK CIC as an organisation efficiently, responsibly and imaginatively

Board of Directors

The company’s Board of Directors is a team of experts comprising leading figures from property, retail, education, transport and media organisations as well as the local authority:-

• Adam Jacobs - Jacobs the Jewellers (Chair)
• Scott Witchalls - Peter Brett Associates
• Graham Mountford - Broad Street Mall (Chair Reading BID)
• Tom Pierpoint - First Great Western
• Aaron Pope - M & G
• Kim Cohen - Barton Willmore Partnership
• Peter Sloman - Reading Borough Council
• Jo Lovelock (Deputy Chair) - Reading Borough Council
• Sir David Bell - University of Reading
• Rory Carson - Mapletree (Green Park)
• Andy Briggs - Oracle Shopping Centre
• Paul House - Trinity Mirror
• Nigel Howe - Reading Football Club
• Shelley Taylor - Hammerson
• Angela Haygarth - Grant Thornton
• Paul Newman - Activate Learning / Reading College
• Daniel Lampard - Lichfields
• John Ellis - PWC
• Nigel Horton-Baker - Executive Director, Reading UK CIC

Our Board members have a stake in the real estate, market and labour force of Reading, bringing a vision for Reading’s future growth and a desire to champion its ongoing success. For information - Persons with Significant Control Register

Growing opportunity

Reading UK is leading an ambitious new strategy to drive economic growth and further raise the profile of Reading globally as a place to invest, do business, work and live. We are determined to maintain Reading’s strong economic position and raise the quality of life of those living and working here through a targeted action plan that will make a difference.

Reading's Economic Development Plan 2016-20

A stronger Reading economy, one that has a vibrant 24/7 retail, arts, cultural and hospitality town centre, strong local business sectors and is competitive and attractive to global businesses. An economy that ultimately creates employment opportunity for local people of all ages through a private, public and voluntary sector partnership. A plan that enables and promotes the sharing of the benefits of the strong economy to all that live, work and visit Reading. Three key policy areas:- 

• Supporting opportunities for employment for local people through an integrated customer focused service supporting local people to get nearer to the work place, and matching them to jobs.
• Growing opportunities to strengthen the local economy through supporting business and removing barriers; matching new opportunities to local workforce.
• Raising Reading's profile as a place of growing opportunity. Refreshing the brand through targeted promotions, overseas contacts and building the legacy of Reading 2016 and support for the Abbey Quarter concept. 

Download the Reading Economic Development Plan 2016-20

Reading UK Annual Review 2016/17

You can download a pdf version of our most recent annual report here.

Reading UK is a Community Interest Company limited by guarantee and registered in England & Wales (No. 5671172) at One Forbury Square, The Forbury, Reading RG1 3EB.

Its trading address - for all correspondence - is The Library Building, Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BQ