Reflecting over the past year, some statistics got me thinking about what a great success story we have in Swindon.

Swindon has the highest level of full time working in the South West, and we are also recognised as the most productive town in the UK. Of course, the success of our major companies such as Honda, Nationwide and BMW are welcomed and well reported.

But many of our smaller companies are also growing across different sectors. Many companies of all sizes have relocated here or are developing new businesses because they believe in the strong advantages Swindon has to offer. Recent announcements include: l in finance - Scandinavian bank Handelsbank, and the Bank of New York l in engineering - M. Preymesser which provides a steel store supporting the BMW operation, and Wardrop Engineering from Canada l from the public sector - the DTI Technology Strategy Board and English Heritage l in the hotel and leisure sector - Jurys Inn Hotel, and David Lloyd Leisure.

And, I was very pleased to hear that the Spectrum site (known locally as the Renault building), which I see as a kind of barometer of the town's progress, has now found a new tenant - Optical Disc Services. They are looking to double their workforce producing DVDs for Universal Pictures and other movie companies. A fitting use of this building, which has itself appeared in the 007 film A View to a Kill.

Our hi-tech start-ups continue to be supported by the Swindon Innovation Centre at the University of Bath in Swindon. The facility provides flexible space, advice and access to funding. SiConnect, Air Semiconductor and Ubiquisys are just a few successful local businesses to have benefited from the service.

Another statistic that jumped out at me recently is that Swindon has the highest proportion of its residents signed up to Broadband in the UK - with more than half of all households online.

I chaired the recent Digital Forum organised by the council's Economic Development Team, and I was impressed with the amount of interest in going digital' from across Swindon - ambitions for wireless schools, a wirelessly connected town centre, Telemedicine and practical help for those who aren't online yet. We are developing a digital technology strategy for Swindon - to guide investment in wireless technology and encourage all sectors to find ways of making technology work for them.

  • Contact Bill Cotton, director of economic development, Swindon Council, at EconomicDevelopment@swindon.gov.uk