As the chief executive of the council, it is not hard to feel proud of Watford's energy and momentum. It is a vibrant hub on the capital's doorstep, within an hour's reach of more than half the UK's economy.

Watford offers unique opportunities. We have a reputation for being dynamic and creative and are home to many European blue-chip headquarters, not to mention a famous football club and Warner Bros' Harry Potter Studio Tour is right on our doorstep. This year we were ranked the highest among the UK's 100 largest urban areas in which to live and work by property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton.