AVA and its partners held an event earlier in the month which launched the formation of an Environmental Technology Business Cluster, in the Aylesbury Vale area. More than 15 companies attended the event with a further six local companies wanting to be kept informed. The event was hosted by Aylesbury Vale Advantage (AVA). Six companies have formed a core group to discuss how the business cluster could benefit companies around The Vale and have committed to working together on a number of environmental issues.
The core group will be focusing on making connections with up to 45 identified environmental technology companies, with a high level of these being entrepreneurial due to many Managing Directors placing a high value on their environment. Since 1994 national levels of employment within the environmental technology sector has risen by 40,000 with some 180,000 people currently employed in this sector. The growing awareness of environmental issues by the public has also brought about an increase in the retail and purchase of environmentally friendly products.
The next stage for the cluster will be making further contact with other local companies who were unable to attend the recent event to provide them with the opportunity to become part of this cluster group. Matt Jenkins from Pearce Recycling attended the event and said, “Pearce Recycling will stay involved and is interested to see how the environmental technology cluster develops. The business cluster is, in principle, a good idea for businesses in The Vale of Aylesbury”. Nick Isaac from Natural Building Technologies Ltd, agreed, “I was surprised as to how many businesses there were in The Vale who were involved in environmental technologies. Our company is in a rural area and yet, very near to us is a consultancy which has international contacts. We are interested in seeing this cluster develop further”. Anyone interested in becoming part of this Environmental Technology Cluster or would like further details should contact Kathy Russell at AVA on 01296 585777.
