Businesses are being encouraged to join a new partnership aimed at providing organisations with a greater say in the future of the local economy is to be launched in the Vale of White Horse. Vale4Business will bring together the region’s key business and civic leaders, providing the strategic leadership, vision and knowledge needed to support long term economic growth. Led by key business leaders in the Vale including Williams, Abingdon and Witney College, Oxford Innovation and Bybox, the partnership will provide members with the opportunity to influence and work with Vale of White Horse District Council in removing barriers to expansion, securing inward investment, improving infrastructure and promoting the district as an attractive place to live and work. The partnership will provide members with a formal network to share insights and experiences of key issues affecting the district’s business community. By working closely across market sectors barriers to future growth will be removed, inward investment secured and the potential of the Vale as a world leading business location realised. Vale4Business will officially launch at a special event on Monday 17 June at Williams Conference Centre, 6pm to 8pm, when full details of how the partnership will work will be announced. The evening will also include an opportunity to have a walk through of the Williams Grand Prix Collection. Businesses interested in being part of this exciting new venture, placing themselves at the forefront in influencing the Vale’s economic future, are asked to visit www.vale4business.com to find out more. Alex Burns, Chief Executive Officer of Williams Grand Prix Holdings, said: “The Vale is a major hub in the UK’s knowledge economy, boasting impressive business facilities and dynamic organisations. Nevertheless, it is important that businesses in the region come together and jointly tackle issues preventing further growth. Vale4Business will be a fantastic forum for this dialogue and Williams is excited to be involved.” Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Vale4Business will provide the mechanism to allow businesses to come together and have much greater influence in the future direction of our economy. “Many businesses experience local barriers to growth and investment which adversely impact on how the economy can develop. By providing this opportunity for organisations to work together we can make it easier to identify and remove these barriers and help make the Vale a world renowned business location.”