Swindon – the unshowy economic powerhouse that’s central to our success

Decent Group has been based in Swindon for almost the whole of its life. Most of us live in a Swindon postcode and most grew up in the area. These aren’t just random facts. Unshowy, unglamorous Swindon is in fact an extraordinary place, and it continues to be a major factor in our success. 

The key point here: Swindon massively outperforms almost every other area of the UK when it comes to GDP per head and general economic output. 

In a recent study of the UK’s most efficient local economies, Swindon was placed second behind Slough – despite being outside the immediate area around London. The result was a combination of productivity per head (measured in Gross Value Added per hour, or GVA/h), employment levels, job and business density, and average hours worked per week – so not only the amount of work being done but also how effective those hours are. It’s an extraordinary result.

So what lies behind this performance, and what difference has it made to Decent Group?

The secret of Swindon’s economic power 

Swindon is one of the most attractive and productive business locations in the country. It has outstanding labour productivity at £62 GVA/h – compare this with the UK average of around £40 GVA/h and London’s £50 GVA/h – and a high and stable employment rate. Today its economy is centred around advanced manufacturing, logistics, engineering, life sciences, professional services and research-intensive sectors. 

The town’s engineering expertise has deep roots. Swindon was a small market town until Isambard Kingdom Brunel built his railway works here in 1841-2, a venture which grew to be the largest covered workshop in the world. Until the mid-20th century the railway works was the town’s biggest employer, and after it went into a sharp decline, other cutting-edge manufacturing industries took up the slack, including aircraft and electrical manufacturers. 

So Swindon’s skilled workforce never disappeared. Its population has continued to grow into the 21st century, drawn by the vigorous local economy and the other attractions of the area. The town’s skills base, as well as its highly connected M4 location, attracts innovators and makers. A major, world-leading drone production facility recently opened here, and the town is home to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a network of innovative SMEs and a skilled workforce ready to support growth. 

A character to match

Those are some objective facts about Swindon. Less hard to pin down, but no less tangible to those of us who live, work and recruit here, is the typical character of Swindon’s workers. We think of Swindon people as practical, can-do and hard-working. People here get stuff built, including some of the world’s most intricate and innovative products. 

This attitude and aptitude has built up over the nearly two centuries since Brunel brought innovation to this Wiltshire town. As workers have been drawn here, selective pressure has favoured quick learners and practical thinkers – people who deliver practical, real-world results. 

Why this matters for Decent Group 

Decent Group has grown from a tiny operation to one of those SMEs that serve the area’s wider ecosystem. Like so many other Swindon businesses, we work far beyond the local area. Our systems switch on the Blackpool Illuminations, 200 miles to the north, while a bespoke store auditing system we created is used across Europe by one of the world’s most recognisable retail brands. That’s Swindon’s influence. 

Our growth has been entirely driven by Swindon people and their Swindon mindset and attitude. But equally importantly, the ‘personality’ of our business – the manner in which we work with our clients – is pure Swindon: can-do, practical, productive, problem-solving, forward-thinking and unshowy. Quietly getting on with our work. It’s Swindon that has made us the business we are today. 

We’re proud to be a part of this place.