News Business Solent
Issue 2 • Autumn 2011
Champions of the Solent Region A buzz is building at Business Solent in the wake of the launch this Summer. More Champions are joining from across the region, events with a Solent focus are being planned and directors and board members are in place. Business Solent’s aim is to connect business leaders from all sectors empowering them to drive economic prosperity – and already it seems businesses are making valuable links across the region. Champions from across the Solent region are getting actively involved with Business Solent, from Chichester in the east to Weymouth in the west – and a recent event on the Isle of Wight proved there is enthusiasm for what Business Solent wants to achieve by connecting up the region.
New Champions include Salisbury Playhouse, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Advanced Resource Managers, Xyratex, Matchtech Group and many more (see page 6 for all new Champions). Kirstie Mathieson, Development Director of Salisbury Playhouse, said: “Business Solent provides us with numerous opportunities to highlight our theatre work to the Solent region business community, giving us greater profile across the south coast as well as networking opportunities to meet decision makers in the larger companies. I’m looking forward to playing an active role in improving and promoting the region.” >
Increased collaboration with other business engagement and support organisations will further add value to Champions and the Solent region. Sally Lynskey CEO, Business Solent
news The board of Directors of Business Solent consists of an impressive array of business leaders from across the Solent region:
Welcome
to the Autumn edition of the Business Solent newsletter giving you an update on the work of Business Solent, the Solent Champions and news from the region. In this edition we bring you up to date on the busy Summer months as Business Solent continues to grow in order to address business issues across the region. The work of the Action Groups is highlighted, together with an interview with Director Walter Cha. This edition will also cover updates from Solent Champions, including a spotlight on Smith & Williamson and Thomas Eggar.
Philip Warr Chairman, Managing Director, PH Warr Representation: Public Affairs. Specialism: Stakeholder liaison, Political relations.
Sally Lynskey CEO, Business Solent Representation: All Action Groups. Specialism: Vision & Strategy, Operations, Sales, Marketing & Business Development, Champion Programme, Events.
Denise Dorley Brown Director, Pertemps Representation: Isle of Wight. Specialism: Employment, Skills and Workforce Development.
James Cretney CEO, Marwell Preservation Trust Ltd Representation: Solent Sustainability Action Group. Specialism: CSR, Sustainability, Tourism.
Gary Coulson Director, Terence O’Rourke Representation: West Solent Chairman. Specialism: Built Environment, Planning.
New Enterprise Zone in Gosport welcomed by Business Solent
Sally Lynskey CEO Business Solent
Contents 2-3 Business Solent News 4-6 Champion News 7 Champion Spotlight 8-9 Regional Developments 10 Champion Spotlight 11 Sustainability Feature 12-13 Action Group Update 14 In My View 15 Upcoming Events
Business Solent
Business Solent is a business engagement organisation which unites business leaders to drive economic prosperity. Organisations, known as Solent Champions, influence the agenda and support the work of Business Solent, together we aim to make the region the best place to work, invest, study, live and enjoy. Action Groups: Digital Southampton, Future Southampton, Southampton Olympics Legacy, Solent Sustainability Solent Logistics, Solent Maritime, Solent International Business Alliance, Marketing Southampton, Solent India Business Network. Business Solent Limited Ocean Village Innovation Centre Ocean Village, Southampton Hampshire SO14 3JZ T: 0844 225 3130 F: 0844 225 3132 E: info@businesssolent.com Follow us on Twitter: Bizsolent
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Business Solent News
Chris Cundy Finance & Commercial Director, Business Solent Representation: Governance Committee, Finance, Solent Maritime. Specialism: Defence Sector, Supply Chains.
Chris Buckley Head of Planning, Lawton Communications Group Representation: Communications Specialism: Futures, Digital and Strategy.
Dave Lees Managing Director, Southampton Airport Representation: Solent Logistics Action Group. Specialism: Visitor Economy, Transport.
CEO Sally Lynskey explained the Solent region has an abundance of opportunities and she is keen for the organisation to tell the story of why it is such a great play to work, invest, live, study and enjoy. “We have everything in place now with the area boards and Action Groups, both localised and Solent based, are growing. “Those that were already established are taking on more projects and we can learn from their experiences,” she said. Sally was keen to highlight that “increased collaboration with other business engagement and support organisations will further add value to Champions and the Solent region.” Members of the business community on the Isle of Wight have given an enthusiastic welcome to Business Solent. Denise Dorley-Brown, Senior Partner of Pertemps and a Business Solent Director said the event provided an opportunity for business leaders to find out more about Business Solent and how their businesses can benefit. “The big thing on the island is linking island businesses with the mainland. Business Solent has a wealth of experience in getting companies together and will give island businesses the opportunity to link up by becoming a Solent Champion,” she said. Rachael Fidler, CEO of HTP Training, said: “We are pleased to be working with Business Solent through our hotel and training company and we look forward to making even more links with businesses across the Solent region.” Senior Partner at Corporate Impact, Dave Newton, said being part of a vibrant region was important for the Isle of Wight: “There are so many commonalities between us – it makes sense for us to compete as a region on a national stage together.”
Mike Smith Commercial Director, Cofely District Energy Representation: Public Affairs. Specialism: Environment, Energy, China.
Prof Adam Wheeler Provost, University of Southampton Representation: Solent India Business Network. Specialism: Education & Skills, Strategy, International.
Walter Cha Managing Director, Blake Lapthorn Representation: East Solent, Shaping the Future of Portsmouth. Specialism: Professional Services.
News that a former naval base in Gosport is to become one of 21 Enterprise Zones, has been welcomed by Business Solent. The Enterprise Zone will target maritime and aviation sectors, drawing on the strength of the Solent region and offer cheaper business rates, superfast broadband and lower levels of planning control. Business Solent Finance Director, Chris Cundy, said: “This is an important win for the Solent and will help to build on the expertise already seen in the marine and aviation sectors in the region. We welcome the news that 650 new jobs are expected to be created by this initiative.” In total the Enterprise Zone is expected to attract up to 45 businesses by 2015 to the former naval base. As quoted by the Southern Daily Echo, the Chairman of the Solent LEP Doug Morrison, was delighted with the outcome. “We want to target the marine and aviation sectors as ones in which Solent has proven strengths, grow existing businesses, promote new technologies and support enterprise,” he said. Chairman of the Solent Maritime Action Group, George Angas, said any boost for the maritime and aviation sectors was to be welcomed. “Maritime and aviation sectors have a lot in common and the Enterprise Zone will be ideal to encourage a range of businesses to locate to the former Daedalus site. You could have everything from research and development to traditional boat building – and being located between Southampton and Portsmouth is ideal,” he said.
Champions Learn Business Benefits of Hosting the World’s Longest Sailing Race Economic benefits of being involved with the world’s longest and toughest sailing race were explained to business leaders at a breakfast briefing organised by Business Solent. While the Clipper Race is undoubtedly a major tourist spectacle bringing thousands to Ocean Village in Southampton to see the crews leave on their maritime expedition, the event also offered the chance for Solent Champions to further develop global trade links. Director for Business Development at Clipper Ventures, Jonathan Levy, said it was a great opportunity for Solent based businesses to engage with markets worldwide. “It is a 40,000 mile sailing event and it can also be seen as a 40,000 mile trade mission. “We have a number of destinations around the world from Rio in Brazil, Cape Town in South Africa, Singapore, Qingdao in China, San Francisco and New York. “There are opportunities for businesses to link in with the race destinations and raise the profile of the Solent region around the world,” he said. Mr Levy explained local companies had the opportunity to meet with clients in such places as Rio or Singapore and invite them to race events and even take them sailing. “This is a great opportunity for businesses and we have had many examples over the years of global trade happening as a result of the Clipper Race. “A business woman joined us in Singapore which has resulted in her working with local producers with a $4m development looking at getting sea cucumber to a wider market,” he said. Rosalind Marsh of UKTI explained how her organisation can work with Solent businesses to develop their export market. “We can give advice, organise events and link
Above: Speakers at the Champion Briefing regarding International Trade Opportunities in association with the Clipper Race
you with our 200 commercial teams around the world,” she said. Acknowledging the immediate economic benefits of being the host city for the start of the 11-12 Race, Sally Lynskey, CEO of Business Solent, said she was proud to see Southampton hosting such a prestigious event. “I look forward to the race coming back to Southampton as their destination and race village of choice,” she said. Matt Peachey from Derry~Londonderry City Council also spoke of their preparations ahead of hosting part of the homecoming leg of the
11-12 Clipper Race in 2012 as well as their build up to being UK City of Culture in 2013. At 40,000 miles the event is the world’s longest sailing race and will take the ten identical 68-foot ocean racing yachts almost a year to complete their circumnavigation of the globe. Champions were also given the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere surrounding the welcoming of the Clipper fleet at Ocean Village including a talk by founder and Chairman of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and the Singapore Crew Skipper Ben Bowley.
Market Strategist Gives Economic Insight at Directors Forum Business leaders were given the lowdown on the region’s economic challenges facing companies at the recent Directors Forum. Neil Parker, Market Strategist at RBS/NatWest delivered the keynote speech. Neil joined the Royal Bank of Scotland in 1995 after gaining a masters degree in international economics. He has specialised in economic analysis for 15 years, including a spell working alongside former Monetary Policy Committee member, Marian Bell and he is a leading commentator on the economies of the G10 and FX markets. Business Solent CEO Sally Lynskey said the forum was an opportunity for business leaders to hear from leading experts in their field. “Neil’s economic credentials are of the highest order and it was great to hear his
views on the current economic situation in the region,” she said. Derek Hatton, Business Development Director for NatWest Commercial Banking in Southampton, said: “We were delighted to be involved with the first event following the launch of Business Solent. Neil’s presentation was wide reaching and, from the feedback provided, it certainly hit the mark in terms of content; his positive comments on how the Solent region is placed were also well received.” “We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with Business Solent as its reach spreads across the south coast.” The exclusive black tie event was sponsored by Solent Champion RBS/NatWest and held at the Mercure Southampton Centre Dolphin Hotel.
Above: Neil Parker, Market Strategist at RBS/NatWest
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Champion News-in-Brief
Champion News-in-Brief
Growth at Paris Smith LLP With the addition of three new partners in 2011 the corporate and commercial department at Southampton based Paris Smith now ranks as one of the largest dedicated teams of corporate solicitors on the South Coast. The department compliments the strong commercial property and litigation expertise at the firm. The larger team adds to the firm’s offering to a client base that operates in nearly all established business sectors.
Southampton Researchers Awarded £17m to Progress Pioneering Research Clinicians and scientists working in the Southampton Centre for Biomedical Research, established by the partnership between Southampton’s University Hospitals Trust (SUHT) and the University of Southampton, have been awarded £17m to progress the city’s world-leading nutrition and respiratory research facilities. The funding, which is part of the Government’s record £800m investment in NHS and university partnerships, has secured the future of the Southampton Centre for Biomedical Research for the next five years by supporting its core infrastructure required for cutting edge clinical research for patient benefit.
IoD Announces New Director General Simon Walker, former Chief Executive Officer of the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, has been appointed the next Director General of the Institute of Directors, succeeding Miles Templeman whose seven-year term as Director General ends at the end of September. Mr Walker brings a wealth of business experience and political insight. As well as the previous holder of senior executive positions at Reuters, British Airways, and Brunswick Group, he is a council member of the European Policy Forum and a former member of the Better Regulation Commission.
New Partner Appointed at PwC PwC has further strengthened their South Coast team of 300 staff with the appointment of partner, Ian Wishart, as leader of the Assurance practice in Southampton. Ian has transferred from the London office where he has been a partner for 13 years, bringing a wealth of experience from a range of industries. Ian grew up in Bournemouth and joined PwC after graduating from the University of Southampton.
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In association with
Other awards presented on the night included: • The aap3 Award for Corporate Social Responsibility – Warings • The Taylor Made Computer Solutions Award for Best Use of Technology – Total Disc Repair • The Richmond Cars, Hyundai & Renault Award for Customer Service – The Sweet Treat Company • The British American Tobacco Award for Commitment to Education and Training – STR • The Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award – Chocolate Craft • The Trethowans Award for Excellence through Innovation – i20 Water • The RSM Tenon Award for Business Individual or Entrepreneur of the Year – Frank Dixie, PSP • The Smith & Williamson Growth Business of the Year Award – Hi-Tech Mouldings
Above Left to Right: John Sargeant, Richard Summers from LHC, Sally Lynskey from Business Solent and Tony Boyle from HLC.
LHC Named Champion of the Year at First Ever South Coast Business Awards Top companies from across the Solent region gathered for the first ever South Coast Business Awards, organised by the Southern Daily Echo in association with Business Solent and Destination Southampton and sponsored by The Breeze 107. The glittering event was held at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel and award winning journalist, broadcaster and Strictly Come Dancing contender John Sargeant was guest of honour. Business Solent CEO Sally Lynskey said it was great for the local business community to honour those who have excelled in commerce. “We are dealing with one of the most challenging economic times for business and yet business leaders have maintained high standards when it comes to things like customer service, corporate social responsibility and commitment to education and training,” she said. The Business Solent Champion of the Year Award was presented to LHC Architecture and Urbanism practice based in Southampton. A Champion since 2008, LHC is committed to the region. They took a central role in creating, developing and advancing Future Southampton, a Business Solent Action Group which brings together architecture, design and construction specialists. The Future Southampton group identified the need for a City Master Plan which
was subsequently commissioned by Southampton City Council, this then led to the production of the group’s first publication, Centre for the City, a city centre vision document that feeds into the City Master Plan. Explaining why LHC was a worthy winner of the prestigious first award, Sally said: “LHC is a company that has truly championed the region. They have worked tirelessly with Business Solent to bring the built environment industry together and they have helped to realise the aims of the Future Southampton group - to produce positive proposals and initiatives that can help raise the quality and appeal of the City Centre.” “The ethos of the Future Southampton group, as with the other Business Solent Action Groups, is giving business the platform to shape the agenda and outcomes to bring prosperity and wealth to the Solent region.” Tony Boyle, Group Director at LHC, commented: “LHC are thrilled to have received the inaugural Business Solent Champion of the Year award at
the South Coast Business Awards ceremony.” “It is great to be recognised for the role we have played in the success of Business Southampton in recent years and now look forward to contributing to the development of Business Solent.” The businesses that were shortlisted for the Champion of the Year Award included: • Davis Langdon LLP - Through their impressive portfolio of projects they are helping to make the city a better place. They have also actively encouraged other firms to back Business Solent and its aims. • Southampton Airport – The airport actively
works in partnership to market the region and grow international trade links. • De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel – The hotel has joined forces with organisations across Southampton to promote the city and have been involved in an apprenticeship programme, with some apprentices now working at the hotel. Leigh-Sara Timberlake, Champion Manager from Business Solent, who was on the judging panel explained: “All the shortlisted entries were deserving of such an award so choosing the winner was a very difficult decision.”
Green Gold for Warings It’s been a golden summer for full service contractors Warings, which has landed a succession of major awards recognising its commitment to the environment and its community. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ internationally renowned Dilmun Award, which recognises excellence in environmental as well as health and safety management heads the list of major honours won by the Hampshire based firm. Industry bible Construction News was the next to recognise Warings’ green credentials, honouring the company ahead of some of the country’s biggest construction firms with its sought after Sustainability Award. The firm was also a finalist in the Health and Safety category. Prince Charles’ charity Business in the Community was another group taking notice of Warings’ approach, selecting the company’s >
Above: Warings staff celebrate winning an Ecosite award, recognising one of their projects’ efforts to minimise its impact on the environment
Top Changes at Totton College Mark Bramwell the Principal of Totton College has retired this summer and will be replaced by Mike Gaston. Mark has led the college since 1994 he has taken the college from a position as one of the smallest sixth form colleges in the country to one of the most diverse and successful colleges in England. Mike joins Totton from Abingdon and Witney College in Oxfordshire, where he held a vice principal position.
Rail traffic and Productivity Soars at DP World Southampton Since the completion of a multi-million pound rail infrastructure project in April this year the percentage of containers transported to and from DP World Southampton (DPWS) by rail has jumped from 30% to 36% in less than 4 months. Chris Lewis, Managing Director at DP World Southampton, said: “Southampton now leads the UK’s major container ports in terms of rail modal share for import and export containers. We are also fortunate in that DP World Southampton has additional rail capacity that can be added to meet growing customer demand without further infrastructure upgrades.”
MIQ Logistics Acquires Retail Logistics Company MIQ Logistics announced the acquisition of The Logistics Corporation Ltd (TLC). The agreement complements the existing service offering of MIQ Logistics in the UK and Europe by offering customers enhanced end-to-end supply chain solutions, including retail warehousing and fulfillment operations. “The acquisition of TLC is an important step in the expansion of our UK and European operations,” says Joey Carnes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MIQ Logistics.
New Blood at the Heart of Linden Homes Linden Homes Southern has brought new blood into the heart of its operation in Totton. The company has a new Managing Director, a new Sales and Marketing Director and a new Land Director. Matt Paine has taken the Linden Homes helm from Pat Feighery, who recently retired. Matt, who joined Linden Homes Southern as a Land Director six years ago, was picked out by Pat for his considerable leadership potential early on in his Linden career.
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Champion News-in-Brief Moore Blatch Solicitors Recognised as Leaders in Legal Field South coast law firm Moore Blatch is proud to announce that ten solicitors have been recognised as ‘leaders in their field’ in the forthcoming Chambers UK 2012 Directory. The legal directory, which is widely recognised as the ‘bible’ for selecting law firms, ranks firms following independent interview-based research with peers and clients.
champion spotlight staff as its Volunteering Team of the Year in Hampshire and Dorset. In the last 18 months Warings staff spent 1,898 hours working in their communities. Finally, Warings’ Corporate Social Responsibility programme made the company a winner at the South Coast Business Awards. The golden run recognises the company’s efforts to minimise its impact on the environment, look after its workforce and care for the communities where it operates. Warings has cut landfill waste by 71 per cent and is on course to be carbon neutral by 2015
and waste neutral by 2020. “We have wound an ethical approach in to everything we do. We take our responsibilities to local communities and the environment extremely seriously,” said Warings Managing Director Philippe Jouy. “Warings is a company I believe the region can be proud of. Not just for the fantastic projects such as Bournemouth Airport and the Mary Rose Museum that we are now building in the south, but for the very highest operating standards in the industry.”
Champion Programme Solent Champions are the driving force behind Business Solent
Hat Trick of Award Nominations for Carswell Gould Integrated marketing communications agency, Carswell Gould, has scored a hat trick this summer season as it has been shortlisted for a trio of prestigious industry awards. The south coast firm has been shortlisted in three categories of the Wessex CIPR PRide awards, which showcase the best PR work being carried out across the region. Carswell Gould is up for awards in the ‘Integrated Communications’, ‘Consumer Relations’ and ‘Best Use of Social Media’ categories, all for its work on the GORE-TEX® Arctic Challenge earlier this year.
Royal Launch for YACU Appeal Wessex Heartbeat were delighted that their Royal Patron, HRH The Countess of Wessex, launched their Young Adult Cardiac Unit (YACU) Appeal at a special reception for heart patients and their families on board P&O’s cruise ship Azura. The YACU Appeal is to raise £800,000 for a new ward suited to the needs of young adults aged 16-30 with heart problems.
Racecourse Improvement Plans Canter Ahead Thanks to Terence O’Rourke Award-winning planning consultancy, Terence O’Rourke, has successfully secured planning permission for redevelopment proposals at Goodwood Racecourse, ensuring the venue can keep ahead of its competitors and contribute further to the local economy. Terence O’Rourke’s team of experts in various fields of the planning industry worked alongside Goodwood Estate on the complex project, which included outline proposals relating to two new buildings and an additional floor on the existing Charlton Stand.
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Business Solent News
The Champion programme enables the business community to contribute to raising the profile of the region, advocate support for and influence decisions on public policy and to drive forward change, whilst benefiting from increased PR, networking opportunities and a comprehensive calendar of business events. Solent Champions represent a diverse crosssection of business and provide a powerful forum for debate, generating ideas and project initiatives for the benefit of the Solent region.
Could you be a Champion of the Solent region?
Find out how you can help to make the Solent region a world-class location in which to work, invest, study, live and enjoy, contact Leigh-Sara Timberlake, Champion Manager, by emailing leigh@businesssolent.com or call 0844 225 3130.
Welcome to the New Champions Over 180 leading employers enable the work of Business Solent in aiming to position the Solent region as the best place to work, invest, study, live and enjoy.
Creation of Business Solent Fits Vision for Thomas Eggar A collaborative way of working with businesses across the Solent region is at the heart of future plans for leading law firm, Thomas Eggar.
Above: Kim Walker, Partner from Thomas Eggar
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homas Eggar LLP serves a diverse range of clients from local, regional and national businesses to private clients, including entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals. Partner Kim Walker said working with Business Southampton and now Business Solent made perfect sense for Thomas Eggar and their innovative sector approach. “Our commercial work for businesses and to a large extent the individuals associated with them, whether shareholders, directors or employees is based on a sector approach. “Our sector wide approach means we look at areas such as manufacturing & logistics, technology, hotels & leisure and pharmaceutical. “We like to be innovative. As lawyers we have had to look at the way we interact with our clients – we can’t just deliver the law, that’s no longer enough. “We like to introduce our clients to other clients and contacts – it’s a collaborative way of working that can bring opportunities for growth and development,” said Kim, who specialises in intellectual property rights. Kim has delivered workshops on identifying, protecting and getting value from IP to businesses developing their IP exploitation strategies. The ramifications of the new Bribery Act has been the focus of risk assessment training being offered to local firms by Thomas Eggar. “The training allows companies to find out if they comply with the legislation and what their obligations and liabilities might be,” she said. A future direction for Thomas Eggar will be developing the work they are doing with the manufacturing and technology sectors to represent their interests. “Across the region we have hi-tech manufacturing and technology going on in the most unusual places in cities and rural settings. “And we are keen to work with these companies especially in the area of intellectual property rights,” she said. With offices in Southampton and Chichester, Thomas Eggar is a great believer in the strength of the Solent region and what it can offer on the national stage. “Historically this is a region that is seen as being
self-sufficient and looking after itself. We are right behind Business Solent’s aims to promote the region as a great place to do business and encourage greater inward investment,” she said. From their experience with offices outside of the region including London, Gatwick and the Thames Valley, Kim said Thomas Eggar could see the value in being a Champion and supporting the work of Business Solent. “There is nothing to match Business Solent in any other areas where we have a presence. “We became involved when we opened our office in Southampton and we have seen the organisation grow in that time. “It makes a huge amount of sense to be involved with Business Solent as we seek to strengthen our position in the Solent region.
“We pride ourselves on understanding the types of businesses operating in this region – and that runs parallel with what Business Solent is doing to understand how they tick. “Business Solent is making the right connections with business leaders and directors – and that means we keep coming back,” she said.
Facts & Figures Industry: Legal Established: 1746 (Southampton office opened in 2008) No. of Employees: 500+
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Developing the Future Solent Region Across the Solent region, multi-million pound developments are underway that will help to make the region even more attractive as a place to work, invest, study, live and enjoy. Here is just a snapshot of some major schemes that will be coming to towns and cities of the region:
In Southampton a planning application for a mixed use scheme with more than 100,000 sq ft of arts complex and restaurant space has been submitted by developers Grosvenor. The development will be a major addition to the Cultural Quarter, which will attracts tens of thousands of people to the city every year and create more than 300 direct jobs. Grosvenor signed a formal agreement with Southampton City Council earlier this year and has been working in partnership with them to develop a detailed proposal for the scheme, which will be arranged around the newly revamped Guildhall Square. Another key element of the Cultural Quarter has reached a significant milestone with the final stages of the new special exhibitions pavilion nearing completion at Sea City. A topping out ceremony celebrated reaching the highest point of the build – the tip of the pavilion. The Sea City Visitor Attraction has been supported by a grant of £4.9million from the HLF and is planned to open to the public in April 2012, 100 years after the Titanic tragedy. It will tell the story of Southampton’s maritime past and is part of the city’s emerging Cultural Quarter which is set to bring more than 2000 direct jobs and an additional £21m of visitor spend to the city each year. Also, the new Eastpoint Centre is scheduled to open this autumn. The top floor will be a new commercial area with meeting rooms and space for groups of up to 600 people to meet. This is against the backdrop of other major developments in the city including Watermark WestQuay and Centenary Quay in Woolston.
Business Solent News
1970s 10 storey office blocks totalling 140,000 sq ft. City Wall House and Loddon House which have become increasingly vandalised, are now beyond their economic life and have come to symbolise the pressing need to improve the areas image. Plans to create a new look shopping centre at The Malls in Basingstoke are nearing completion. The exciting plans are seeing the outdated shopping centre given a major facelift. This includes removing the existing canopies and installing a clear roof canopy that protects the centre from bad weather, but still allows natural light and air to circulate.
Plans to expand Gunwharf Quays form a key part of the overall regeneration of Portsmouth’s waterfront – and that could include a revamped ferry, bus station and a walkway connecting the shopping centre to the historic dockyard. Headlines in the Portsmouth News recently announced Land Securities - the company which owns Gunwharf Quays – has bought Europa House, the former headquarters of Pall Europe which has an imposing presence on the Hard. The paper also revealed a nearby tower block known as Brunel House is also being negotiated. If plans go ahead the area could see hotels, homes and offices in the place of the two landmark buildings as part of a major redevelopment of the area.
Above: Artist Impression of the Arts Complex development, copyright: CZWG
Above: Artist Impression of the Eastpoint Centre development, image courtesy of Atkins Design & Engineering
Above: Artist Impression of the Market Place project, image courtesy of Salisbury Vision
Above: Artist impression of the new The Malls shopping centre in development, images courtesy of Basingstoke and Deane Borough
In Portsmouth the popular Gunwharf Quays looks set to grow
Above: Artist Impression of the Sea City Visitor Attraction, image courtesy of Southampton City Council
In partnership with Wiltshire County Council and the SouthWest Regional Development Agency, Salisbury District Council commissioned consultants to prepare a Vision for the future of Salisbury. The final Vision for Salisbury has recently been adopted and it comprises 24 integrated ‘projects’, ranging from the commercial redevelopment of major areas of the city, to the creation of new parks and open spaces and the improvement of the public realm. A key project is the proposed renaissance of the Market Place which is described in the Vision as: “The rejuvenation of the Market Place (to include the Guildhall Square, Cheese Market and Poultry Cross) and the creation of a public square of the highest quality in terms of design and construction.” This is a joint project between Wiltshire County Council and Salisbury District Council. Three new planning applications for the Market Place Improvement Project have recently been registered with Wiltshire Council.
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The first phase of the regeneration of Basing View, a business district of vital importance to the commercial future of Basingstoke, should be completed this autumn. Dubbed the “Dallas of Hampshire” in the late 1970s, because of the striking concentration of high rise buildings, Basing View grew to become an iconic symbol of the new growth of specialist business districts in the UK. It evolved from Basingstoke’s growth as an expansion town in the 1960s and 70s which was fuelled by the decentralisation of companies and government departments from London. Ambitious plans for regenerating Basing View include the demolition of two vacant
Above: Gunwharf Quays looks set to grow
A 20-year project, which has the development value of between £350m and £500m, has been agreed between Bournemouth Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments Limited (MSIL), the investment unit of the Morgan Sindall Group. It is a 50/50 joint venture Public Private Partnership between Bournemouth Borough Council and MSIL. The scheme will deliver a range of residential and mixed-use development including leisure attractions, new housing, shops and offices across 17 sites in the town centre. MSIL will provide funding for the ongoing development of projects, matching the land value contribution of Bournemouth Borough Council. Surpluses generated by the partnership will
be reinvested in improvements to the town’s infrastructure and public spaces. A decision has yet to be made over the controversial Imax cinema site in Bournemouth. The council bought the building for £8.5m and has asked developers to come forward with proposals for an all-weather attraction to go inside. The winner was due to be selected in August but council officers have now been asked to come up with other options. When the public was asked what they would like to see on the landmark site which overlooks Bournemouth’s award winning beach, they came up with ideas for tropical gardens, a water park, performing arts space or an interactive arts, museum and entertainment space.
Above: A concept scheme for regeneration in Bournemouth offering homes & cafes using the capabilities of Lovell Partnerships and MSIL
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champion spotlight
Sustainable Business
Developing Greater Awareness of Global Sustainability Issues within the Solent Region
Going for growth with Smith & Williamson Smith & Williamson is a leading accountancy and financial services group dedicated to helping businesses and organisations grow.
Right: One of the most endangered species of Leopard in the world at Marwell Wildlife
Above: Richard Green, Managing Director, Smith & Williamson Southampton office
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he practice in Kings Park Road, Southampton, advises hundreds of clients across all sectors, from logistics and manufacturing to professional services and housing associations. Services from the 50-plus strong staff include corporate and personal tax, audit, accounting, advisory, forensic, corporate finance, employee benefits, restructuring and recovery, transactions, valuations, financial services and HR consulting. Richard Green, the office’s Managing Director, said: “What clients tell us is that we add genuine value to their businesses, combined with the personal touch through a director-led approach co-ordinated across all our disciplines. “We set up shop in Southampton with a handful of key players eight years ago and have grown from strength to strength from then as more and more clients utilise our professional expertise to maximise financial efficiencies. “Business Solent and Smith & Williamson share many aims, from driving growth and economic prosperity to promoting the Solent region as the place to work, invest, study, live and enjoy.” Smith & Williamson is a Silver Champion of Business Solent and was one of the first to join what was then Business Southampton. The accountancy firm is well known in the Solent region, regularly hosting popular and informative business breakfast briefings that attract up to 100 people each time. Two of these are being held on the morning of October 4th and October 6th, at Chilworth Manor Hotel, Southampton, and the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel in Portsmouth respectively, from 7.30am to 9am. Various speakers from Smith & Williamson will talk about how planning can make a real difference to your business, government funding options and recent changes to HMRC. Meanwhile, a high-level content briefing for senior finance staff of companies and organisations is being hosted by the accountancy firm at the Chilworth Manor Hotel from 8am to 10.30am on Tuesday, October 11th. To book a place at any one of the three events please email samantha.greenwood@smith. williamson.co.uk
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usiness leaders had the chance to find out more about world-class conservation work taking place at Marwell Wildlife near Winchester where they also took part in a Sunset Safari. The event was organised as part of Business Solent’s drive to develop more awareness of sustainability issues within the regional business community – and a new Sustainability Action Group is being launched. Business Solent CEO Sally Lynskey said she was delighted to be working with Marwell Wildlife as a Champion, to raise awareness of the role we all have to play in conserving the planet. “Marwell is involved in crucial work that affects us all. It is important for business leaders to have an awareness of the issues and the responsibility we all have for the future of our planet. “The new Action Group will draw on the energy and enthusiasm of local business and the expertise of Marwell Wildlife. We have a great track record with our Action Groups and we look forward to launching this initiative,” she said. Tim Woodfine, Director of Conservation at Marwell Wildlife gave an inspiring and informative presentation to provide a snapshot of all the work that Marwell is involved with in regards to the conservation of biological diversity, environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility, which are central to their philosophy. Champions were also given a guided tour of the park, seeing everything from the cheetah’s in the recently opened Savannah Tracks enclosure to the tigers, leopards and meerkats.
Above: Racing Ahead - Businessmen and women took part in the annual Smith & Williamson Clipper Challenge
Smith & Williamson is a keen supporter of the regional business community, as shown by the business breakfast seminars, but its commitment goes beyond that: it sponsored the Growth Business of the Year Award in the South Coast Business Awards 2011, the inaugural event organised by the Southern Daily Echo, Business Solent and Destination Southampton. Earlier this summer dozens of businessmen and women took part in the annual Smith & Williamson Clipper Challenge, where a fleet of round-the-world yachts raced in the Solent. Southampton based Greg Palfrey, who sat on the original advisory board and is the director in charge of Smith & Williamson’s restructuring and recovery services arm for the regions, said: “I have been involved with and supported Business Solent
since its earliest beginnings. I believed in the need for such an organisation to speak for the business community but was sceptical it could be achieved. I am delighted at the success Malcolm Le Bas and Sally Lynskey have achieved and how Philip Warr has managed to move this on to encompass the Solent region as a result of this success. We at Smith & Williamson will continue to support Business Solent as we have done to promote our business and that of the region.” For more information about how Smith & Williamson can help your business develop, please contact Richard Green, Managing Director, Southampton office on 023 8082 7600 or richard.green@smith.williamson.co.uk.
Above: James Cretney, Chief Executive at
Marwell Wildlife and Director at Business Solent
From our own experience at Marwell we can show that by looking at sustainability and wider environmental management we have made savings on electricity, oil, water and disposal rates. James Cretney, Chief Executive of Marwell Wildlife and newly appointed Board Director of Business Solent said: “I am delighted to have been approached to sit on the Board of Directors for Business Solent. In my role I will be representing businesses on sustainability issues, as well as the ever important visitor economy to the Solent region.” “I hope Champions found their visit to Marwell and the presentation they had on global biodiversity threats and opportunities both interesting and inspiring. It is important for businesses to be more aware of global sustainability issues and their organisational and individual responsibilities.” James, who will also be chair of the newly formed group, explained how preparations are now well underway for the creation of Business Solent’s Sustainability Action Group: “the launch will take place later in November and there will be an important message for business.” “We want to show how businesses can reduce their environmental footprint and at the same time dramatically reduce costs. “From our own experience at Marwell we can show that by looking at sustainability and wider environmental management we have made savings on electricity, oil, water and disposal rates,” he said. Work is underway to gather case studies to illustrate the point and James explained the Action Group would not just be a talking shop for green issues. “We will be judged on our actions rather than what we debate. An important part of what we do will be putting people in touch with others and signposting businesses to exemplars of best practice and leading edge innovation – it’s about sharing information so we can all benefit,” he said.
Voted the Greenest Company in the UK Solent Champion Skanska has been voted the Greenest company in the UK in the latest Sunday Times listing. Skanska is one of the world’s leading construction groups and the editor of the Sunday Times Green List, Alistair McCall said their achievement could not be overstated. “It is the first time a large company with a high environmental impact has won the contest. Skanska has consistently demonstrated sector-leading commitment to reducing its environmental impacts and it is synonymous today with being in the vanguard of efforts being made to transform what was once one of our “dirty” industries,” he said. The Sunday Times Best Green Companies Awards were launched four years ago. Last year Skanska was ranked as the best company in the construction sector. “The company’s efforts to embed this green culture within the business are remarkable. Skanska has never finished out of our top five and it is one of only 15 companies to be included in all four of the Green Lists we have published. It is an achievement of which the business should be very proud”, said Alastair McCall. The ranking is based on two different surveys. On employer survey which covers among other things environmental management policies, environmental training, energy consumption, waste production and recycling. This accounts for 70 percent of the final ranking. The second part is an employee survey in which the staff rates 52 statements from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree”. Skanska UK reported revenues of SEK 14 billion in 2010, with about 4,500 employees. The company is active in building and civil construction, utilities and building services. In the UK Skanska is also a leader within the sector for Public Private Partnerships, PPP, also known as Privately Financed Initiative, PFI. Skanska has also initiated the development of homes for the UK market. “We are very happy and proud of this award. It is an acknowledgment of that we follow our plan of being leading within green building, and an acknowledgement of our employees’ hard work and commitment to reach that target”, says Johan Karlström, Skanska’s President and CEO.
Business Solent News 11
action group update
Future Southampton Group Offers Combined Expertise The Future Southampton Group has provided a design panel for Southampton City Council to help them consider proposals for the Bargate Shopping centre. It is the first time professionals from the group have been called on to work with the City Council in such a way and Future Southampton Group chairman Richard Summers said he was delighted the group had been asked. “It is the first time FSG has been asked to provide informed comment in this way and we hope it will be just the first of many such connections between us,” he said. Future Southampton Group is one of the most energetic Business Solent Action Groups. In recent times it has been instrumental in getting a
Masterplan for Southampton and offering ideas for content in that document. Members are drawn from architectural practices, design groups and development backgrounds and they all have one aim - to make Southampton a great place in which to work, invest, live, study or just be.
It is the first time FSG has been asked to provide informed comment in this way and we hope it will be just the first of many such connections between us.
Solent India Business Network The first trade mission arranged by the Solent India Business Network (SIBN) has taken a small team from the region to a national conference in Goa.
Headline Sponsor
Above: Dance Off Southampton 2011 winners - Regents Park Community College
Dance Off Competition Set to Become Annual Event Business Solent’s Southampton Olympics Legacy Board tasked the health group to come up with ways in which the city could benefit from a lasting legacy and Dance Off Southampton was the result. The first ever Dance Off competition in Southampton proved so successful it will become an annual event on the city’s calendar. Youngsters from secondary schools across the city took part in the event that was organised by Business Solent, Wessex Cancer Trust and the Southampton Schools Sports Partnership. The event was also a fundraising and awareness raising activity for Wessex Cancer Trust and Sally Hall, who heads up the local cancer charity, admitted she was moved to tears by some of the performances that told the story of the disease. “It was really quite emotional and a great deal of work had clearly gone into putting the dances together.” “It was great for us to have the Dance Off as Organised by
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a way of engaging with young people in such a positive way. The competition was won by Regents Park Community College’s 14-strong team and teacher Lia Chance said she was delighted with the outcome. “We are really chuffed the girls won – it will be great to see this continue and for even more schools to get involved,” she said. The £1,000 prize money will be used to take the winning team on a trip to see a show on London’s West End – and to prepare for next year’s competition. Anna Hales from Business Solent commented: “The competition was a great way to get secondary school pupils involved in a fun activity that promotes health and well-being. Key Sponsors
“I can see this city event growing year on year,” she said. Susan Young, Sales & Marketing Director for headline sponsor Crest Nicholson Regeneration which is currently building the Centenary Quay development in Southampton, said: “The talent showcased by Southampton’s schools was tremendous and Dance Off Southampton was a fantastic event. A superb time was had by all – dancers and audience members alike. “We are delighted to have sponsored such a fun and worthwhile occasion - an event of this nature is a great way of bringing the local community together; something which is very important to Crest Nicholson. We look forward to supporting Dance Off Southampton in the future.” Capital FM’s Zoe, who hosted the event, said it was wonderful to see such dedication from the youngsters. “The standard was phenomenal. I was a Butlins Red Coat so I know how much hard work goes into putting on a performance like this – it was a real team effort and great to see,” she said.
The head of the India Business Group at regional law firm Dutton Gregory, Amarjit Singh said he hoped the visit would be the first of many aimed at strengthening ties between the Solent and India. “Having put on networking events locally for the past two years, we are now arranging our own small trade missions in association with UK Trade & Industry SE. “We are looking to develop, through SIBN and our partners, the ability to host inward trade missions from India at some point in the future,” he said. As well as attending the conference in Goa, the SIBN trade mission also travelled to Pune – a second tier emerging city known as the cultural capital of Maharashtra.
“We’ve identified Pune as a place where we would like to develop links. “There has been a speedy natural progression so far – and that’s as a result of the appetite we have found for this kind of opportunity in India,” he said. For more information about the Solent India Business Network visit www.SIBN.co.uk.
Solent Logistics Underpinning the success of any region is the efficient movement of people and freight. The connectivity of the Solent region to both the rest of the UK, Europe and beyond will play an increasingly important part in the region’s future growth and success. The Solent logistics group chaired by Southampton Airport’s Managing Director, Dave Lees, will be setting out its aims and objectives in the next couple of months. The scope of the group will cover all the forms of transport and logistics including road, rail, sea and air with the objective of promoting the competitive position of the region. “The group will be interested to hear the views of Solent Champions to understand the key issues and will then be quickly converting a majority of these into an agenda for action and implementation. “The group looks forward to working with a range of business leaders over the forthcoming months to drive forward future economic prosperity for the Solent region,” he said.
Do you Speak my Language? An ingenious way of breaking through the language barrier has been developed by the Southampton Olympics Legacy Business Group. An ideal base for visitors to the Olympic & Paralympic games, Southampton is perfectly placed in between London & Weymouth. With the backing of the Southampton Hoteliers Association, adhesive flags have been produced to stick to name badges so visitors can see at a glance what language a staff member speaks. Chairman of the Olympics Legacy Business Group Neil Brailsford said the flags had already been adopted by Southampton Airport as well as Best Western Chilworth Manor, Highfield House and the Mercure Dolphin Hotel where Mr Brailsford is General Manager. “This is a great way for people to be able to see quickly who can speak to them in their
language and help them feel more comfortable in the city and it will be a great legacy from the Olympics,” he said. Mr Brailsford said he was delighted Southampton Airport has taken up the idea, as a key gateway to the city. “Many of the people coming to our region for the Olympics will be arriving at Southampton Airport and it is great to be able to give them a good welcome so they will want to return,” he said. Mr Brailsford added that with the Olympic torch coming to Southampton on July 14 2012 it was important for local businesses to plan ahead to make the most of the opportunity. “We are planning a conference to help local businesses in the Solent region to be made aware, prepare and make the most of the Olympic games,” he said.
Business Solent News 13
in my view
Co-operative and Collaborative Working is Key to the Region’s Future By Walter Cha
Director of Business Solent, Managing Partner of Blake Lapthorn and Chair of Shaping the Future of Portsmouth
Walter Cha is the Managing Partner at Blake Lapthorn, one of the UK’s leading full-service law firms. He has overseen four mergers and is Chair of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Board of the Prince’s Trust. Walter is also a member of the CBI South East Regional Council, a director of Meridies Insurance Co Limited and a governor at The Portsmouth Grammar School. Prior to its launch, Walter kindly agreed to sit on the Board of Business Solent to represent the east region and he also chairs the Shaping the Future of Portsmouth group. Here he discusses the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead: “The Solent has long been recognised as a region with the potential for delivering strong economic growth for the benefit of those who live and work in the region. For this to happen it is vital the public and private sectors work together to realise this ambition and to accept that going it alone is not an option. I am confident the Solent LEP will lead the way on this. Its recent success at HMS Daedalus is but one example of what it can achieve. The Shaping Portsmouth group is also very important for the region as it fosters a culture of responsibility, ownership and pride in Portsmouth and defines what’s important in making sure the city is developing in both prosperity and security. The momentum of Shaping the Future of Portsmouth must not be allowed to stall like other, similar projects in the past. It is fundamental that we maintain the momentum gathered so far to move the initiative forward. We have a vision we hope people support with a unified force, both public and private, to deliver that. It’s about maintaining levels of enthusiasm, carrying that through and putting all building blocks in place so people will say: Portsmouth is an area we want to do business. Shaping Portsmouth enables the promotion of the city to visitors, encourages businesses to invest, and develops an all-encompassing brand and works to raise the attainment and aspirations of the city’s schoolchildren. The group will continue to develop plans for the
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city’s economy and put a blueprint in place for the region as a whole. It has laid the groundwork for an economic plan covering transport, the future of the dockyard, and the development of sites such as Dunsbury Hill Farm. Working with Business Solent, there is much value in the co-operative and collaborative working through the Business Solent Champion programme. Being part of the Solent Champion programme is important to our firm, to have a voice in our future and that of our clients, many of whom are Champions themselves; and to be able to contribute to decisions on public policy and help drive change where needed. It is also an opportunity to show our staff and clients that we are committed to the region and to working towards making the Solent a better place to live and work and for others to visit. We find being able to meet and network with local businesses extremely valuable, to understand where we have common aims and issues, and be able to discuss and develop solutions and work together as a collective group to raise the profile of our region and communicate its strengths. A collaborative and co-operative approach is especially important in the current economic and political climate. My one hope is that the current enthusiasm and pragmatism prevail and that it’s not diluted by bureaucracy and self interest. If we have this all else is possible including getting the ear of Government.”
Q&A
What is your favourite place to visit in the Solent region when you want to unwind? My home by the coast. It’s a great place to unwind and relax. Can you recommend a favourite restaurant? Anyone who has met me will realise I enjoy my food. We are blessed by the variety of restaurants that we have in the region, which is fast developing a name for itself as a place for ‘foodies’. All I ask for is good fresh food, good company and excellent service. Do you go to the theatre locally? Do you have a favourite theatre/ memorable play? Living where I live I tend to go to Chichester. However of late I find myself going more and more to London where my daughter has been training to be an actor. I will always remember DNA, which was her first major role. Why did you choose to work in the region? I think it fair to say that the region chose me. I trained and qualified at Blake Lapthorn where I am currently the Managing Partner. Over the last 30 years I have taken satisfaction from seeing my firm grow and play its part in the shaping of the Solent region as, indeed, it has done for a hundred years before that. Any hidden gems? (specialist shops, restaurants bars etc) For me it has to be the Boat House at Steephill Cove in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight (luxury self-catering with wonderful sea views).
Upcoming Business Solent Events Business Works Thursday 4th October, 10am – 4pm, De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel Regional business exhibition in association with the Southern Daily Echo.
Meet Business Solent with Peer1 Wednesday 19th October, 4pm – 7pm, Mercedes Showroom, Southampton An opportunity to find out about the work of Business Solent in association with Champion Peer1.
Working Lunch Wednesday 9th November, 12noon – 2:30pm Kuti’s Royal Thai Pier Champion working lunch addressing a key issue for the Solent region, in association with the Southern Daily Echo.
Big Society – Better Southampton
Champion & Associate Networking
Friday 11th November, 9am – 12:30pm, St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton Launch of the Southampton Volunteer Alliance.
Wednesday 14th December, 5pm - 7pm, Grand Cafe, Southampton Monthly networking evening for Champions, Associates, clients and guests.
Champion & Associate Networking Wednesday 16th November, 5pm – 7pm, White Star Tavern Monthly informal networking evening for Champions, Associates, clients and guests.
Champion Briefing Thursday 24th November, 7:45am – 9:30am, Venue TBC A breakfast briefing for Solent Champions and guests focussing on sustainability.
For more information on any of the above events, please contact the events team: email events@businesssolent.com call 023 8068 2520 or visit www.businesssolent.com Please note that events are subject to possible change.
Business Solent events are organised by Destination Southampton, the city’s official conference bureau. Contact: Shirley, Hannah or Charlotte about any of our upcoming events on
023 8068 2520
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champions of the Solent Region