Business Highlights of 2025

10th December 2025

2025 has been another strong year for Reading and its vibrant economy. And REDA has been busy too! As we approach the end of the year, these are some of our highlights of the past 12 months. Do you agree?

January

• The Cities Monitor 2025 ranked Reading as one of the strongest economies in the UK underpinned by export-focused high-tech businesses
• REDA launched Reading’s Jane Austen 250 programme at the National Portrait Gallery.

February

• New public artworks were installed at Station Hill including new LED artworks by Stuart Melrose and Kev Munday, while consumer health business Kenvue were the latest business to announce they were taking offices in the landmark development.
• Reading ranked 7th in the annual UK Vitality Index published by LSH with wage growth, workforce jobs growth, new enterprises and business density, as well as education, lifestyle and consumption all ranking highly.

March

• REDA brought over 40 travel journalists to experience Reading at the first-ever Great West Way Media Discovery.
• Reading was ranked the 4th best place to develop a career by Coworking Café. Excellent job availability, strong business environment and high economic output were Reading’s key strengths in the job market.

April

• The Sunday Times named Reading as one of the best places to live in the South-East thanks to its connectivity, good schools, dynamic mix of business and cultural offer.
• Workspace by NewFlex opened at ONE Station Hill.

May

• REDA took Reading to UKREiiF, the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum, to promote Reading as a prime destination for investment and business. 
• EY announced Reading was forecast to have the UK's highest growth 2025-2028 outside London with GVA growth (Gross Value Added) of 2.2%.
• Broad Street Mall was given the go-ahead to redevelop the shopping centre with 643 new build-to-rent homes in four towers overlooking Dusseldorf Way.
• The Elizabeth Line celebrated its third anniversary. Since it opened in 2022, the Elizabeth Line has helped make Reading a magnet for new jobs, relocating businesses, housing investment and a talented workforce.

June

• Station Hill was officially opened with a free party open to the local community.  
• Robotic-assisted surgery leader, Intuitive, announced it was moving its UK and Ireland HQ to Winnersh Triangle.

July

• Reading landed one of the most significant office deals in recent times as Green Park was announced as the location for the global HQ for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
• REDA supported the launch of Reading Tech Cluster at Henley Business School to bring the future of tech innovation in the Thames Valley together.

August

• REDA welcomed Heathrow Airport’s announcement to build a third runway within the next decade. Reading has been able to attract so many global businesses to relocate here in part thanks to our proximity to one of the world's global air hubs.
• REDA Business Network was launched, a new networking forum to bring fresh energy and renewed focus to local procurement, skills development and policy engagement.

September

• Reading 'excels' for Good Growth reported PwC/DEMOS in their annual ranking of the UK’s top 50 cities. Reading ranked among the top 10 best performers with particular strengths in employment, income, health, new businesses, skills and the environment.
• REDA showcased 20 of Reading’s best known event venues at the first ever Reading Venue Showcase to a local business audience. As well as competitions and sampling, the event also saw the launch of the Meet Reading guide to venues and social activities across Reading.
• Reading is not just the business capital of the Thames Valley, it is also the best place to study business, according to the Daily Mail, who announced the University of Reading had been ranked top for its business courses for the second consecutive year. 
• Reading Borough Council opened a brand new £500,000 athletics track at Palmer Park Leisure Centre & Stadium.

October

• REDA published a new business video to showcase Reading to potential investors and relocating companies. The video is part of the new Invest in Reading online hub, which makes the compelling case for investing in Reading.
• Microsoft committed its future to Reading with the announcement of a new lease on Thames Valley Business Park.
• Global pharma company Boehringer Ingelheim announced it was choosing Winnersh Triangle for its UK HQ.

November

• The University of Reading submitted a planning application for Loddon Garden Village, which would see up to 2800 new homes built in Shinfield east of the A327 alongside the River Loddon.
• Plans for the next phase of development at Station Hill went on display. The proposals plan for 600 new homes, shops, cafés, landscaped public space and improved pedestrian routes.
• REDA presented The Mace Group/The European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMRWF) HQ building with the award for Best Future Project Award at the Berks Prop Awards 2025. It will open in 2027.

December

• REDA was awarded the prestigious CSR World Leader Award, marking REDA’s third major CSR recognition in recent months. 
• The new Village Hotel opens alongside the Thames at Caversham Bridge.