IQ-Magazine-Issue-11

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www.cambridgeahead.co.uk
and manage existing arrangements.
Joining forces with Cambridge
Network and local authorities,
he said this initiative should be
launched fairly soon.
Dr Tony Raven, (CEO of
Cambridge Enterprise and leader
of the Growth Agenda project) was
looking ahead to 2035 when he
stated: “Quality of life will be a huge
factor in developing entrepreneurial
communities.” Emphasising the
need to gain a better understanding
of our business community’s longterm
growth forecasts in comparison
to national forecasts, he highlighted
that data collection and analysis
is still in progress. He also stressed
the need to tackle the lack of
commercial property space, which is
something to consider as Cambridge
continues to grow.
Finally, Professor Michael Thorne
(Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin
University and leader of the Quality
of Life project) presented the highly
anticipated results of the Quality of
Life survey which was sent out to
30,000 employees across our region.
Undertaken by RAND Europe, it
was one of the largest workforce
surveys to take place in our area,
and received a great response rate
which showed representation across
all classifications.
According to a national survey,
the majority of people believe that
health, immigration and education
are the main concerns facing
Britain. In comparison, those who
completed Cambridge’s Quality of
Life survey said that their greatest
concern was congestion!
The report showed that 77% of
people are dissatisfied with the level
of traffic in Cambridge, 31% of
whom are also dissatisfied with the
location of the train station. On
housing, 76% disagree that housing
is affordable with 55% of people
struggling to get on the property
ladder. With regard to business,
an alarming 26% of 16 to 25 year
olds feel they don’t have a sense
of belonging, which is something
business leaders should look to
address.
Jane Paterson-Todd, CEO of
Cambridge Ahead, said: “We
commissioned this survey in order
to understand the full extent of what
workers feel about their quality of
life and where Cambridge Ahead
can prioritise its work to help resolve
major issues. The survey confirms
that transport and housing are
significant problems that need to be
addressed.
“The high response rate shows the
level of interest and concern these
employees feel about their quality
of life. There are lots of lessons for
our members, and indeed other
Cambridge organisations, to take
away.”
Cambridge Ahead has now grown
to 32 full members including
The University of Cambridge,
ARM, Mills & Reeve LLP, Anglia
Ruskin University, Xaar plc and
Cambridge University Hospitals.
All of the members represent a
large proportion of the working
population in Cambridge, and have
a turnover of £5billion.
Working together to realise one
common vision, Cambridge Ahead
continues to represent the city’s
business community, with the aim to
grow Cambridge to be the greatest
small city in the world.
issue 11 | page 41