Despite a turbulent 2020 and uncertain year ahead, the sponsors – HSBC UK, Irwin Mitchell, RSM and CMA Recruitment Group – look forward to recognising the resilience of Solent businesses, as well as their hard work keeping the region strong and moving forward.
As well as producing an annual listing (to be published in the March/April issue), the Solent 250 brings the region’s most dynamic, growing businesses together in a series of networking and recognition events.
Last year, the Covid-19 pandemic put paid to the popular annual awards dinner and regular roundtables. Instead, webinars enabled Solent 250 businesses to meet virtually and share their views on handling a radically changed business landscape.
The first webinar discussed the impact of the current Covid-19 crisis on businesses and individuals and ways that the economy can be revived. Next up, sponsors shared their insights on making businesses fit for purpose in a post-lockdown world.
To cap off the series, the sponsors invited double Olympic champion and multiple global medalist Dame Kelly Holmes to host an inspiring virtual event on mental health, where she took questions from an inquisitive Solent 250 audience.
The Solent 250 hosts a forum where like-minded business leaders network and share ideas. It showcases and celebrates the Solent business community’s talent, while also recognising the challenges that every business has experienced recently. In 2021, the sponsors hope to revive the programme of face-to-face events and networking. There will also be online webinars and a monthly newsletter showcasing Solent 250 high flyers.
Last year’s sponsors had no hesitation in continuing their support. Here’s why they think the Solent 250 is more important than ever:
“We are all thrilled to be a part of the Solent 250 for another year. The past 12 months have been tough for so many businesses but the resilience, innovation and teamwork we have seen within businesses and among the wider Solent business community has astounded us. While we are not out of the woods yet, we believe that the focus of the Solent 250 will allow our community not only to recognise success stories, but also to learn from each other so that we can all emerge stronger and better from the crisis. We are looking forward to catching up with you all, be it virtually or, hopefully soon, in person.
“With the arrival of Covid-19 bringing to an abrupt close the plans we had in early in 2020 for celebrating the high calibre of businesses in the Solent 250, we are excited to again be working with our fellow sponsors to showcase the largest privately-owned businesses on the South Coast for the 2021 Solent 250. This past year has been a challenge for everyone, but has also shown how resilient, adaptable and agile our local business community is. We’ve got lots of exciting plans for the coming year, in shining a spotlight on these businesses, and continuing to provide a forum for businesses in the Solent 250 to network and share experiences.”
“We are delighted to be continuing our sponsorship of the Solent 250. Every business has had some form of disruption due to Covid-19 in 2020. However, there have been so many examples of businesses demonstrating resilience, innovation and growth. This is testament to the strength of the Solent region and the entrepreneurial spirit. We look forward to exchanging views and ideas with businesses in the Solent 250 and recognising their success in 2021.”
“This will be CMA’s third year of supporting the Solent 250 programme and we have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to acknowledge the top privately-owned businesses in the region. Even in a challenging market, which 2020 has undoubtedly been, the resilience, innovation and performances of the Solent 250 community has been hugely impressive. We are proud to continue our association alongside our co-sponsors.”
The sponsors look forward to recognising and celebrating the achievements of the privately-owned businesses in our region in 2021.
For more information contact Peter Laurie: peter@elcot.co.uk
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