In 1946, with a grand ambition to create homes and jobs in places that were still just names on a map, the UK government passed the New Towns Act giving rise to the establishment of Basildon. Basildon has long since passed the original capacities envisaged, and provided, for the town, and Basildon is now home to 187,600 people, and is the largest economy in Essex.
With an economy worth £3.7bn, and a number of internationally recognised businesses, Basildon is the largest and fastest growing economy in Essex and a significant driver of regional and national growth.
With over 8,000 businesses employing 100,000 people, Basildon has a long history of being the home of advanced engineering and manufacturing with some of the most advanced technical facilities in the UK. Companies such as Ford, New Holland Agriculture, Leonardo, Costa Coffee and Konica Minolta bolster this reputation.
The presence of Ford (automotive, low carbon) and Leonardo (aerospace, ICT and advanced electronics) also gives Basildon an advantage in Government recognised growth sectors.
Major financial and retail sector businesses are represented by Fiserv (formerly First Data), DST Financial Services whilst PMS International is a UK wholesale importer and distributor of consumer products to the retail trade market.
The Borough also has particular strengths in the Digital, Creative and ICT sector, which between them provide over 5,000 jobs. The Digital, Creative and ICT sector is experiencing greater growth in Basildon than in both London and Cambridge.