First Choice for Major Corporations

Set in the gently undulating countryside of rural north Hertfordshire, Stevenage has become the first choice for many major corporations. The town has a thriving local economy with world class companies such as MBDA, EADS Astrium, IFR, Norwich Union, Fujitsu, Dixons and GSK choosing to locate in the town. The town is particularly strong in the aerospace and pharmaceutical industries and was chosen by GSK as the location for their £700 million European Research Centre.

Stevenage enjoys all the amenities and opportunities of a well planned town situated in pleasant surroundings.

Designated as Britain's first New Town in 1946, Stevenage combines a successful blend of old world charm with all that is best in modern town developments.

Stevenage provides a lifestyle that compares with any in London or other parts of the South East, with an excellent range of arts, entertainment and leisure facilities. One of Stevenage's best kept secrets is its charming Old Town, with a range of traditional housing, old coaching inns, fine restaurants and craft shops.

The population of the town is currently around 80,000. The town has grown up around a number of residential neighbourhoods, each with a variety of local facilities including shops, schools, community centres and medical facilities.

Stevenage also boasts excellent communication links. The town is located on the A1 (M) just 30 miles from Central London and only 15 minutes from the M25 Orbital. It is also on the main East Coast London to Edinburgh line, with Kings Cross only a 20 minute journey away.

Stevenage is proud of its green, varied and attractive landscape, including wide open spaces, golf courses, parks, playing fields and woodlands. At its heart is Fairlands Valley, a beautiful park and lakeland area, with sailing, boating and other water sports on offer.

EADS Astrium, Europe's leading space company, has an annual turnover of almost €2 billion and a workforce of over 8,000 employees in France, Germany, U.K and Spain. Its activities cover space science and Earth observation, telecommunications and navigation, military programmes and ground systems, launchers and orbital infrastructure.

At its Stevenage site EADS Astrium is designing and manufacturing some of the world's largest communications satellites for international customers such as Intelsat, Inmarsat and Eutelsat and building the service modules of the next generation of Low Earth Orbit meteorological spacecraft.
Alistair Scott, Public Relations Manager,
EADS Astrium

We, Mastercare Service and Distribution, have had a presence in the town for over twenty years and have recently further endorsed Stevenage as a good operating base, by more than doubling our warehouse capacity at a cost of £20m.

In addition to our own enlarged site at Pin Green, we have taken advantage of the availability of rented warehouse space within the Borough to support ancillary operations and services.

The easy access to the A1(M) and the motorway generally has always been one of the big attractions of Stevenage.
F. Randle, Project Manager, Mastercare

It should be no surprise why MBDA has chosen to locate and stay in Stevenage over the years given the other blue chip companies here such as ICL, GSK and EADS Astrium.. Perhaps its main advantage is the easy access to London, whether by train or road, without the capital's operating costs.

Given the Anglo-French nature of our company, it is an added bonus that Luton and Stansted airports are so close for our regular cross channel business.

The company has also benefited from its relationship with Stevenage Borough Council which has attracted and retained business - something that is good for everyone.
Diane Woods, Public Relations Administrator,
MBDA

Our new 1.8M square feet Medicines Research Centre at Stevenage is home to more than 2000 scientific and support staff. The excellent road and rail links, variety of housing and recreational activities in the surrounding area, and the very supportive and helpful Borough Council all contribute to making the town an ideal place for major businesses.

Co-operation and links between local bodies and with other business organisations are excellent and the pool of skilled labour available locally enables us to easily recruit the necessary support staff to operate.
Dr Donna Myerthall, Site Director,
GSK

iiyama (UK) chose to establish its offices in Stevenage in 1993 due to the excellent facilities, access and ease of communication. 5 years on and with a turnover of £35 million we are pleased with the success we have achieved and to see the town prospering, growing and supportive of the business community.
Paul Butler, Managing Director, iiyama

Businesses in Stevenage include: