Local Economy

While Reading is known worldwide as a mini-Silicon Valley tech-hub, what truly marks out Reading is the diversity and balance of its overall economy from communications to pharma, defence to financial services and, of course, tech. 

With the highest export levels outside London for high-value products and services, Reading boasts an impressive roster of high-knowledge businesses, powered by more than 20,000 people working in these specialised areas. However, the workforce of over 116,000 is spread broadly across a large number of sectors.   

• Information technology employs over 20,000 people in Reading. Reading remains the leading location for computer programming & consultancy outside of London. Companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Huawei, Cisco Systems, and Symantec have established their UK headquarters in Reading. Additionally, startups like Snyk, Qmee, and Sage People have been growing rapidly.  
• Over 3000 people work in financial services, in companies such as VISA or Deloitte, with all the big accountancy firms having offices in Reading.  
• 20,000 people are employed in Information and Communication with Nokia, Ericsson and Virgin Media having their HQs here.  
• With a top-rated research-intensive University in the heart of Reading, it is no surprise that the Professional, Scientific and Technical sector is buoyant and employs over 18,000 people.   
• The region’s healthcare trust is based in Reading and there is a rapidly growing pharma cluster on the Reading business parks, which in conjunction with the University, means over 14,000 people work in Health.  Global pharma giant Sanofi recently set up their UK headquarters in Reading while Lonza are relocating to Reading and building new research labs on Thames Valley Park.  
• Defence is a fast-growing sector with French global electical systems giant Thales employing 500 people in highly-skilled roles including specialised engineering posts, the recent arrival of AWE and the announcement of that the HQ of the UK/Japanese Global Combat Air Programme will be based in Reading.   
• Other significant areas include Retail, Transport, Energy, Creative Industries, Hospitality and Education.  There has also been considerable investment in logistics, which benefits from Reading’s location on the M4 motorway. 

While there are a large number of global players HQ’d in Reading, from Bayer to PepsiCo, Reading’s business eco system is also fostering a new generation of dynamic businesses through the healthy provision of start up space at the University, its spin off Thames Valley Science Park, the 4 main business parks that ring Reading as well as the town centre. Innovative Startups include Occuity (eye health technology), KYMIRA (smart textiles), BelleVie (care work innovation) and Ecrebo (point-of-sale marketing), who are all making waves in their respective fields.