Businesses in the region are encouraged to take part in the latest Thames Valley Business Barometer which has now opened and runs until early May. The bi-annual survey of the region’s business leaders provides a snapshot of economic confidence and business performance across the Thames Valley. The Barometer has tracked developing business trends in the region for the last seven years.

The Barometer survey is carried out by accountants and business advisers BDO LLP and Thames Valley-based PR and marketing agency, C8 Consulting Ltd. As well as focusing on economic confidence, growth and employment intentions, the latest Barometer will also look at environmental policies within Thames Valley businesses. The survey results will be published and circulated in June 2018.

Simon Brooker, Partner and Head of BDO in the Thames Valley, says: “The results of the last survey show that order books, headcount, turnover and profit levels across the region remained strong, with the majority of performance indicators showing similar levels to those seen in the spring 2017 Barometer six months earlier. However, business confidence had fallen from 69% in the spring to 53% in the autumn.

“Feedback from the Barometer’s panel of experts indicated that uncertainty over how Brexit negotiations will evolve and what the outcome will look like is causing a lack of confidence, even while performance measures remain strong.

“With just a year to go until we are due to leave the EU, there is still no clear picture of what our relationship will look like after March 2019, making it difficult for businesses to plan ahead with any degree of certainty.”

Paula Elliott, Managing Director, C8 Consulting Ltd comments: “The previous survey put the spotlight on the changing face of the working environment and, in particular, flexible working practices and use of technology. The survey found that around half of those surveyed felt that their work environment had improved with the use of technology and expect remote working and flexibility to become even more commonplace in the future.”

Companies interested in participating in the Barometer can access the survey here or via either the BDO or the C8 website.