Preparations underway for Portsmouth & South Coast Business Week

Published by

Sam Pither

FLASHBACK. Business leaders at a session at last years Portsmouth & South Coast Business Week.

A week of free events is set to get underway next month as part of the third annual Portsmouth & South Coast Business Week.

Taking place at a range of locations between Monday 6 to Friday 10 February, the festival of business if being co-ordinated and delivered by the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce in partnership with education providers, local authority representatives and a range of businesses and partners, all streamed on Facebook Live.

Headline sponsor for the week is tax relief specialist Catax. Other supporters include Fareham College, Get Set Solent, Purple Group, Flude Property Consultants, Shaping Portsmouth, Solent Sky Services and property group Kier.

Chamber Chief Executive Ross McNally said: “This inspiring week comes amid challenging times due to uncertainty over inflation, energy costs and interest rates.

“Now is the ideal time to come together to discuss and champion innovation and business support, celebrate the many strengths of businesses in our region and share creative solutions to the many challenges we face.

“This is exactly the opportunity the week provides – and it’s all free.

“If you want to stay up to date on funding and support, be inspired by fellow entrepreneurs and engage with skills and training providers, this is your chance.”

Among the activities on offer across the week are presentations, visits and networking opportunities, starting with a breakfast launch at Southsea’s Queens Hotel.

Speakers include Aaron Butson, Assistant Principal at Havant & South Downs College and Chair of Portsmouth Business Strategy Group, and Councillor Steve Pitt, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at Portsmouth City Council.

Sessions over the rest of the week feature topics including maintaining success once your business is launched, the future of SME marketing and how to get the most out of younger people.

A wellbeing session on mental health and menopause in the workplace will be held at the City of Portsmouth College while Eastleigh College will host an event looking at the likely impact of Solent Freeport on job creation and the regional economy.

There is a Meet the Chamber business exhibition at Fratton Park, run by Hampshire Chamber and showcasing a wide range of business services.

And an open day on the Tuesday of the week will see around 20 businesses and organisations welcome visitors into their premises for a behind-the-scenes look. Participants include The Portsmouth Distillery, DTW Ceramics, Fareham Innovation Centre, Ship to Shore Design and the Parity Trust in Port Solent.

The week culminates on the Friday evening with The News Business Excellence Awards Dinner at Portsmouth Guildhall, hosted by BBC TV presenter Anjana Gadgil and supported by the University of Portsmouth Business School.

Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset. A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise. Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.