I’M delighted that businesses, organisations and individuals are coming together to take a lead role in positioning Swindon as one of the top places in the UK for enterprise, innovation and economic success, as well as a great place to live.

The fact that more than 400 people attended the launch of Switch On To Swindon on Tuesday night shows that there is huge will in the town to share what has long been a well-kept secret - that Swindon continues to be a success story for business.

Add in the fact that we have a very lively and engaged community and it’s not a hard sell to make.

Swindon’s key strength is its economy and the potential for economic growth.

However, everyone is competing to attract both private and public sector investment and so we need to position ourselves effectively to secure new investment in Swindon, support existing businesses to grow and ensure the economy prospers.

Telling the positive Swindon story in more consistent and disciplined way is what Switch On To Swindon is all about.

And the best people to do that are the businesses, organisations and people that are already here.

Their collective skills, networks, contacts and enthusiasm are our Swindon’s asset.

The team behind Switch On To Swindon have learnt from places like Doncaster, Coventry and Warwickshire and others to ensure that they develop something that is both sustainable for the long term and effective.

And I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Nicky Alberry who has been active in the business community in Swindon for a number of years, always promoting the place and fighting its corner.

For the last five years, Nicky has chaired Influence, a group of businesses that have championed Swindon and have developed effective relationships between the business community and the public sector.

All this has been instrumental in getting the promotion of Swindon on the agenda and ensuring it is business and community led.

Swindon is a place of contrasts, urban and rural, old and new, long established business and a hot bed of start-ups and entrepreneurial spirit.

It has the ability to surprise and delight, it has an incredible back story and history but is always moving with the times and adapting.

Like most places it also has some challenges and things to improve on but by promoting the place more effectively and securing investment it can, together, make those improvements.

First and foremost Switch On To Swindon is an invitation to businesses, organisations and people to contribute promoting Swindon because it is in all of our interests.

I and my colleagues look forward to supporting Switch On To Swindon and watching everyone involved out Swindon on the national map as a business destination of choice. www.switchontoswindon.com.