Swindon has been named as one of England’s leading centres for economic growth outside of London, underpinning the town’s burgeoning reputation as hub for innovation.
Swindon ranks as joint seventh for economic and demographic expansion over the past eight years, according to a new report analysing the performance of English towns and cities. 
And it stands at joint 10th in a table that identifies areas with “vibrant and dynamic” economies capable of supporting future expansion.
The report, based on accountants Grant Thornton’s High Growth Index, ranks English cities and districts according to their recent growth and potential for further, sustainable expansion.
It reveals Swindon punching well above its weight for growth since 2006 with a population smaller than the seven cities above it in the table.
Swindon has a ‘high growth score’ of 137, according the index, ranking it joint seventh with Leicester in the list of growth cities, which is headed by Manchester with a score of 205. Bristol, in fourth place, scores 150.
The ‘forward-looking’ table is headed by Cambridge with a ‘dynamism score’ of 176. Swindon shares 10th place with Nottingham, Norwich and Newcastle with a score of 107.
The report also identifies a number of ‘growth corridors’, including an area stretching along the M4 from Swindon to Bristol.
It shows that England’s high-growth and dynamic areas share certain characteristics – the presence of high-value, knowledge-intensive businesses, a supportive environment for enterprise, and diverse communities with a young and economically active workforce, coupled with strong transport and IT connectivity.
Grant Thornton’s head of public sector assurance in the South West, John Golding, pictured, said: “The High Growth Index raises a number of interesting questions about current economic policy, as London makes up around half of the 50 top performing districts. 
“The focus needs to be on re-balancing the economy and creating economic scale to drive sustainable growth outside of the capital, as much as within it.
“The growth corridors identified by the report highlight a number of implications for those local authorities and LEPs (local enterprise partnerships), both in and out of these corridors.
“For local economies, like Bristol and Swindon, which are within a growth corridor, it’s vital that leaders and economic stakeholders collaborate to manage and deliver growth in a joined-up and complementary way, and also consider their local strengths and assets in a broader context, be that human capital or local amenities.”
Swindon’s strong performance in the High Growth Index follows a report earlier this year by the influential Centre for Cities think tank which placed it at number four in the top five UK towns and cities where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are pursuing high-growth strategies and fuelling the nation’s economic recovery.
These small businesses are expanding by innovating, competing on quality rather than price, investing in training and operating in competitive markets.
Swindon’s performance in the tables was welcomed by the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Director Isobel Brown said: “We’re delighted with Swindon’s ranking in Grant Thornton’s High Growth Index of Places. It is further proof that Swindon and Wiltshire is an area of high growth and that it is an ideal place for businesses and people to thrive.”
Swindon is joint seventh in the ranking of English cities that have continued to grow over the past eight years (left-hand chart below) and joint 10th among those with further dynamic growth potential (right-hand chart below)
