THAMES VALLEY businesses are being encouraged to take part in the lastest bi-annual survey of the region's business leaders.

Tracking developing business trends over the last six years, the Thames Valley Barometer provides a snapshot of economic confidence and business performances.

The survey is carried out by accountants and business advisers BDO LLP and C8 Consulting Ltd, a Thames-Valley-based PR and marketing agency.

The latest barometer will run until the end of October, and will focus on economic confidence, growth and employment intentions as well as the changing face of the workplace.

Simon Brooker, Head of BDO in the Thames Valley, said: "The results of the lasy survey saw a marked improvement in turnover, profitability and economic confidence compared with the latter half of 2016, with performance indicators heading back up to pre-Brexit levels."

Mr Brooker added that feedback had also indicated "An increasing need for agility" in businesses, fuelled by the Bexit result and the ever-changing face of the workplace.

Managing Director of C8 Consulting Ltd, Paula Elliot, said: "As a business owner myself, who has been operating in the region for 13 years, I have experienced these changes first-hand and am very interested to find out the ways in which other businesses in the Thames Valley operate and how things have changed for them."

The previous survey highlighted data protection matters, particularly with regards to the region's awareness and preparation for the new EU Data Protection Regularion. It found that almost 9 out of 10 respondents reported being aware of new regulations, but nearly half have yet to put processes in palce to ensure they will be compliant.

The results of the survey will be published in January 2018. Companies interested in participating n the Barometer can access the survey via either the BDO or the C8 website.