The Reading UK team...

The Economic Development Company for Reading

Although a relatively young organisation (celebrating seven years in business in July 2014) the Reading UK team has a broad remit, delivering a wide range of economic development programmes.

Our team:

Nigel Horton-Baker, Executive Director

Nigel comes to Reading UK as the Executive Director, having extensive senior management experience in Economic Development over the past 15 years and a career stretching back 25 years covering all aspects of regeneration, skills, job creation, foreign direct investment; small business and sector support services; tourism promotion and infrastructure development.

Nigel is no stranger to Reading having served on the Board of Reading UKCIC for three years while he was the Area Director for the South East of England Regional Development Agency covering Berkshire and Surrey.

Prior to this Nigel was CEO of Surrey Economic Partnership (now Connected Surrey), Vice Chairman of the South East Regional Assembly and Head of Community and Economic Regeneration at London Borough of Hounslow. He has also had spells of self employment running a B+B, and a planning and economic development consultancy.

Most Recently Nigel worked with a global, City based Recruitment Agency to set up a commercial 'Apprenticeship Training Agency', supporting small companies to take on Apprentices across the South East".

Susanne Brackley, Economic Development Manager

Coming to the organisation with twenty years experience in marketing and tourism services, following several years working in the City of London, Sue is now responsible for economic development. As well as working on policy and development she also represents Reading on a number of associations and sub-regional organisations including the Berkshire Economic Development Officers' Group, the Apprentice Partnership and the Employment and Skills Group.

Currently oversees the Skills for Business initiative, which aims to ensure that Reading businesses have the skills needed for success.

Bobby Lonergan, Business Improvement District Manager

Bobby supports the Business Improvement District to make Reading's town centre a great place to live, do business and spend leisure time. Bobby co-ordinates the liaison with retailers, businesses and organisations in the Business Improvement District (BID) to deliver the 2014-2019 Business Improvement District. The BID is a member-led body which funds and delivers a safe, clean Reading town centre. Coupled with regular exciting events and marketing initiatives, the BID attracts more people and business into the town centre. www.readingbid.co.uk

Alexa Volker, BID Operations and Renewal Co-ordinator

Supporting the day to day running of Reading Business Improvement District and planning for the BID renewal in 2019

Alex Brannen, Communications Manager

Alex joined Reading UK in autumn 2013. As Communications Manager, Alex is responsible for ensuring that the Reading economic success story is shared and understood widely. He works with the Business Improvement District and a wide range of stakeholders to drive footfall into the town centre as well as promoting greater Reading as a great place to live, work or locate a business.