Think London says Olé to Spanish companies

Following a trip to Andalusia, Marbella and Bilboa, there is plenty of enthusiasm from Spanish businesses about the 2012 Olympics and investment into London says Think London

As the London 2012 Games head our way, at Think London we are continuing to engage with key markets in Europe, such as Spain, to encourage further investment into London and open a new avenue for collaboration.

The fact that Think London can assist companies with their relocation in London, from finding the right commercial property to hiring the best staff members, means that we can help any international company thinking about either setting up business in London or expanding business in London.

This is why Think London headed out to Spain to host a series of seminars that presented businesses with opportunities and open investment channels in London ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games.

At the Seville event, for example, we welcomed 40 Andalusian firms alongside the organiser Extenda. This fantastic turnout was echoed at subsequent events in Marbella and Bilboa, which shows the commitment that Spanish firms are demonstrating in considering future projects and investment opportunities in London.

What Think London wanted to demonstrate to Spanish businesses at each of the seminars, especially at a time when austerity measures are hitting many European countries, and it is so important for companies to minimise their exposure to risk, is that London is one of the best and most cost effective locations to do business and boost corporate efficiency. Not only is it a European hub for transport, but businesses can benefit from access to a concentration of specialist multiple business clusters and a top talent pool. Additionally, with the 2012 Games fast approaching and 2010 being a key year for procurement, there are 75,000 contracts available both directly and indirectly through subcontracting, so there has never been a better time to come to London.

We’ve already seen a number of Spanish companies investing and prospering in the capital, from Air Europa to Mapfre, Asamo and Genera Interactive, but it is also a fantastic environment in which small and medium sized companies can expand and grow. Britain is one of the best places in the world for innovation and entrepreneurship, with an environment that is friendly to nurturing new enterprises, and so it was brilliant to see how well the Spanish companies and the cities Think London visited are engaging with the idea of relocation and business development in London.