The market town of Basingstoke is an economic centre located in the Thames Valley region, less than fifty miles from the city of London. IT and communications, insurance, pharmaceutical manufacturing and electronics are all important industries in the Basingstoke economy. A number of large corporations have chosen to open head offices in Basingstoke, including ST Ericsson, Sony Professional Solutions and The Automobile Association.

The local Borough Council is Basingstoke and Deane and Hampshire County Council is also part of the town’s government structure. Basingstoke and Dean Council promote investment in the area through a variety of means including providing business events and training courses, free business start up workshops, borough business partnerships and through funding social enterprises.

Basingstoke is also popular as a conference and meeting venue and the Basingstoke Business Club provides members with networking opportunities, support and advice for both new start and established businesses along with valuable connections. The Rotary Club of Basingstoke is comprised of community leaders and business professionals with the common goal of supporting and promoting the local community on a voluntary basis.

There are eight universities situated within thirty miles of Basingstoke including the University of Winchester, Thames Valley University, the University of Southampton, Portsmouth University, Southampton Solent University, Reading University and the University of Surrey.

Basingstoke is well connected by rail and the mainline station provides services to London Waterloo, Bournemouth, Brighton, Portsmouth, Oxford, Exeter and Birmingham. Southampton Airport is the closest international airport to Basingstoke and Farnborough and Blackbush Airports are also nearby.