Investing in growth
Our 2025-26 Annual Report and Impact Statement reflects a year of growth, collaboration and impact. From supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs to helping young people explore future careers and enabling adults to develop in-demand skills, our work continues to make a meaningful difference across Berkshire. This year alone, we engaged with more than 1,200 businesses, worked with 97% of eligible schools in Berkshire and secured £6.6 million of Skills Bootcamp funding to invest in skills development.
As Berkshire’s organisation for skills, business support and economic insight, we continue to drive economic growth from classroom to boardroom. Our report highlights the impact of our programmes, the expansion of our Growth Academy, and the success stories of the people and organisations we’ve worked with throughout the year. It also sets out our ambitions for the future as we grow our reach, strengthen partnerships and increase our impact across Berkshire and beyond.
Investing in Berkshire
Berkshire offers an outstanding environment for business growth, with global transport links, a skilled workforce, and high-quality commercial space attracting leading international brands. There is great diversity across our communities: seven major towns across the area, each with a vibrant economy of its own, contribute to Berkshire’s strength.
Key sectors such as digital technology, construction, film and TV production, and life sciences are supported by institutions like the University of Reading, TRL, Royal Berkshire Hospital, AWE and Syngenta. The county is also home to a network of Cornerstone Employers – including Mace, Westcoast, SSE, AWE and Frimley NHS – who actively support talent through the Berkshire Careers Hub. Together they create thriving business ecosystems.
Rural Berkshire thrives with SMEs often specialising in emerging technologies, while the county’s abundant green spaces enhance its appeal as a place to live, work and visit.
Quick links
The Growth Academy
Berkshire Careers Hub
Skills and Apprenticeship Hub
Berkshire Skills Bootcamps
Berkshire Growth Hub
Sector support
We are creating space for you to be heard. Spark conversations, forge meaningful links with the business community, and access opportunities to shape the future of your industry. Whether it’s through keynote speaking, roundtables, business boards or strategic forums, this is your invitation to be a voice in Berkshire — to share insight, influence change, and drive impact where it matters most.
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