News Business Solent
issue 1 • summer 2011
Welcome to Business Solent With the launch of Business solent we are putting the business region on the map – joining the dots for greater prosperity. THE new branding and logo herald a fresh approach to promoting the Solent as a great place to work, invest, study, live and enjoy. Business Solent will mean more opportunities and increased business relations for Champions to get connected within the Solent region stretching from Chichester in the east to Weymouth in the west, up to Salisbury and Basingstoke and down to the Isle of Wight. The focus is to connect business leaders to drive economic prosperity for the Solent region.
By working collaboratively, Champions have greater influence and impact on what happens in their region and collectively they help promote the Solent as a great place to do business, channel investment and create jobs. Much of the success of Business Southampton is the continued ethos of Business Solent – the ability to listen and actively respond to the needs of business in the Solent region – businesses set the agenda. Action Groups will focus on issues that need >
Business Solent connects business leaders for economic prosperity. Our aim is to ensure the Solent region is recognised as THE place to work, invest, study, live and enjoy. Philip Warr Chairman, Business Solent
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tackling and deliver commercial opportunities for the benefit of the region. There will also be a growing events programme to promote the Solent region nationally and internationally. In Southampton, Action Groups have had considerable success in a number of key areas. Business leaders interested in everything from transport challenges to the future look of the city have joined forces to share ideas, influence outcomes and deliver solutions. The Digital Southampton Action Group is led by the world authorities in linked data, Professor
Welcome
to the first edition of the Business Solent newsletter giving you an update on the work of Business Solent and news from the region. In this edition we review our busy spring months which saw Business Southampton develop into Business Solent to greater represent business across the wider region. We’ll bring you up to date on the work of our Action Groups as well as an interview with the new Finance Director, Chris Cundy. You’ll also hear the latest news from Champions, including a spotlight on WestQuay.
Sally Lynskey CEO Business Solent
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Business leaders in southampton are planning to introduce new products and services in a bid to trade their way out of economic gloom. The bi-annual business survey has shown companies are still dealing with the effects of the recession but see adapting their businesses to the needs of customers is the answer. Sally Lynskey, CEO of Business Solent, said: “Our bi-annual survey has become a barometer for assessing how local businesses are dealing with the economic situation. “While many site difficulty securing investment, increased competition and the struggle to make sales as their main challenges, it is positive that they see the best way is to trade their way out of the current situation.” During March 2011, Business Southampton conducted a survey for the local business community. The results offer an insight into the
Significant findings include the following: • Businesses are continuing to cut the size of their workforce • Many have seen their turnover continue to fall • Effects of the recession are still being felt and the recovery is slow for many companies On a more optimistic note, in the coming six months 35 per cent of respondents expect to see their profits rise and the same percentage predict their profits will remain the same. Businesses were also asked about their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and one third of those surveyed said they were keen to get more involved within their communities.
champions were given an in-depth review of the local economy at the recent breakfast briefing held at the hilton southampton. Kim hayward, senior audit and international liaison partner at Bdo gave his appraisal of how the top 150 companies in the region have been performing – and the opportunities for overseas business in the current economic climate. While it was true many sectors such as leisure and hospitality had come through difficult times, Mr Hayward said the depths of the recession is behind us. “Overall this is still a good place to do businesses with confidence,” he said Looking at opportunities for trade overseas, he said there was a definite shift in power from the west to the east. “By 2030, two thirds of the world’s middle classes are going to be Chinese – and they want western technology and brands. “There are also emerging markets with Nigeria, Colombia and Taiwan. “They offer opportunities for technology led businesses to explore some of these markets – so don’t leave it too late to take a look,” he said. Sally Lynskey, CEO of Business Solent, said: “Clearly there are opportunities that local companies and organisations should explore with global markets – and it is worth keeping track of emerging countries.” Turning to opportunities closer to home, Henry Pavey, Strategic Partnership Manager at Southampton City Council, talked about
Above left to right: Nathan Cook from Hilton Southampton, Henry Pavey from Southampton City Council, Sally Lynskey from Business Solent and Kim Hayward from BDO.
Southampton Connect. Thirteen key umbrella agencies representing public, private and the voluntary sectors, including Business Solent, have joined the successor body to Southampton Partnership looking for a new way to work together building on existing networks and relationships. He explained:”Southampton Connect is about
action and collaborative working, peer support, bringing something to the table and getting results.” With £65m due to be cut from council services in Southampton by 2014, new ways are needed to meet the needs of the city, said Mr Pavey. “It’s about sticking together and working together to make a difference,” he said.
the critical role of sport in the future prosperity of southampton was the topic for the latest Working lunch in association with the southern daily echo and the coast.
Business Solent is a business-led organisation, engaging business leaders to challenge and address issues and maximise opportunities for the region. Organisations, known as Champions, support the work of Business Solent as we work together to make the region the best place to work, invest, study, live and enjoy. action groups: Digital Southampton, Future Southampton, LEADER, Marketing Southampton, Southampton Olympics Legacy Board, SkillsVoice & HR Forum, Solent Maritime. 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
Business Solent News
current economic climate and also highlight some predictions for the near future.
Economy on the Menu at Business Solent Breakfast Briefing
Sport and Business Working Together
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Together we will achieve so much more...
Survey Shows Southampton Plans to Trade its Way Out of the Downturn
Business Solent News Solent Champion News Champion Spotlight From Business Southampton to Business Solent Skills & Education Update International Business Action Group Update In My View Upcoming Events
www.businesssolent.com
Nigel Shadbolt and Dame Wendy Hall from the University of Southampton. They are working with business leaders to look at creating a digital cluster that will ultimately bring together information on a digital platform. Building on the success of what has been in achieved in Southampton, area specific Action Groups as well as Solent-wide groups such as Solent Events, Solent Logistics and the Solent International Business Alliance are now in development.
Above: Geoff Holt MBE, speaks at latest Working Lunch.
BUSINESS leaders were given an update on some of the major sporting events that are set to bring thousands of people to the city this summer and further raise the profile of Southampton and the region. Commercial Director at the Rose Bowl, Zac Toumazi, explained the preparations underway for the first test match at The Rose Bowl, ahead of England v Sri Lanka, and what it means for the region. “The development of the Rose Bowl will help to put Southampton firmly on the map as a place to do serious business and enjoy yourself,” he said. Over the five days of the test match, 43,000 visitors are expected and they will drink 20,000 gallons of beer and consume 12,000 burgers. On Sunday July 31, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will set off from Southampton and the eyes of the world will focus on Southampton as a great maritime city. Business Development Director at Clipper Ventures,
Jonathan Levy, said the event was predicted to bring up to £10m to the Southampton region. “It will have a huge economic impact. On the Friday night before the race crews will be joined by families and friends for a farewell knees up and all those people need hotel rooms, they will go shopping and spend money in Southampton. “And then there are the thousands of day visitors we are expecting. “This is an opportunity to show Southampton at its best,” he said. Keynote speaker Geoff Holt MBE told his inspirational story of how he had triumphed over adversity in the face of overwhelming setbacks. A promising career sailing luxury yachts around the world was cut short when he broke his neck leaving him paralysed from the chest down. He told the audience at Kuti’s Royal Thai Pier, how he put all thoughts of sailing from his mind as he built a new life and came to terms with his disability. Many years later having carved a niche in
marketing, Geoff explained how he was encouraged to get back on the water in a specially adapted craft and once again he was captivated, “I realised sailing wasn’t just a part of my life, it was my life,” he said. Since then he has sailed around Great Britain and across the Atlantic – even visiting the beach in the former British Virgin Islands where he had his accident. He has worked tirelessly to champion sailing for the disabled and described it as a real level playing field as a competitive sport. “I believe sport is fundamentally important in society, not just for disabled people but for all of us to get involved,” he said. Host for the Working Lunch, Editor-in-Chief of the Southern Daily Echo, Ian Murray, said you could not underestimate the importance of sport to Southampton and he welcomed the major events planned for the city and urged businesses to get involved.
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Champion News-in-Brief Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills Sees Spots at Marwell Wildlife Southampton-born BBC Radio 1 DJ, Scott Mills, officially opened Marwell Wildlife’s latest development, Savannah Tracks, the new home for its three cheetahs. Scott was thrilled to help the keepers feed Marwell’s three cheetahs, Turkus, Juba and Suki, commenting, “I’m delighted to be here to open Savannah Tracks. I used to visit Marwell frequently when a child so was really pleased to be asked back.” CBI President to be Next Chancellor of the University of Southampton Helen Alexander, CBE, the current President of the CBI, has been appointed to succeed Sir John Parker as Chancellor of the University of Southampton, when Sir John reaches the end of his term in office at the end of July. She will be the University’s first female Chancellor. Helen Alexander is known for her wide and varied experience in international business. She is currently chair of the Port of London Authority and Incisive Media and a senior adviser to Bain Capital. She is a Trustee of the WWW (World Wide Web) Foundation and chair of the Business Advisory Council of the Said Business School, Oxford University. She holds non-executive positions at Centrica and Rolls-Royce Group and was previously a trustee of the Tate Gallery and held non-executive positions with Northern Foods and BT. She comes to the end of her term as President of the CBI in June. Driving Business Home - Business News with LeePeckGroup and The Coast
Leepeckgroup is proud to be providing The Coast’s drive time business bulletin, on air and online, every weekday at 5.30pm. LPG chairman Lee Peck and PR director Alyson Marlow will share the on-air business news duties as they join presenter Iain Meadows on his show The Coast Drive. John Clayton, group programme director, said, “Leepeckgroup is a very credible agency with huge experience of the business world. It’s a perfect fit.” Tune in to The Coast on your way home and catch up with the latest in business news. Champions are invited to share their Business News stories, send them to: alyson@leepeckgroup.com Mer
Mercure Southampton Centre Dolphin Hotel Wins AA Four-Star Rating and Rosette The Mercure Southampton Centre Dolphin Hotel has been granted the prestigious award of four stars and a rosette following a recent visit from the AA inspector. The hotel, a grade two listed building which officially re-opened last May following a £4 million refurbishment programme, was judged on its cleanliness, service, food, hospitality, bedrooms, public areas and external appearance. The award of the rosette is particularly significant as it makes the hotel the only one located in the city centre to hold the award.
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Sponsor of Southampton Boat Show Reinforces Commitment to the Region by Becoming a Solent Champion
Champion News-in-Brief Central South Report Highlights Reasons for Optimism for the Region’s Businesses A BDO report identifies opportunities for those prepared to adapt and broaden their horizons. The snapshot of the region’s economic health, based on the consolidated accounts for the Top 150 companies, shows that despite the impact of the recession, there are some businesses performing well and opportunities for future growth. For a copy of the Central South report, contact Emma Wareham at BDO on 023 8088 1753 or email emma.wareham@bdo.co.uk.
psp, sponsor of the psp southampton Boat show, has further dedicated its commitment to the region by becoming a champion of the solent region and supporting the work of Business solent. the firm, known for its innovative sponsorship of the psp southampton Boat show, provides worldwide boat transportation, logistics and freight forwarding services across the globe. Frank Dixie, PSP’s Managing Director, said: “Many of Business Solent’s Champions will know of PSP for its work in the marine and boat transportation industry and its support of the PSP Southampton Boat Show. However, what some may not know is that companies of all types across Southampton and indeed the world rely on our popular logistics services to handle the important task of delivering their goods.” “Our involvement with Business Solent will allow us to work more closely with companies across the region and help them to benefit from this vital service, as well as to promote the Solent as a hub for business.”
Sally Lynskey, CEO of Business Solent, said she welcomed PSP as a Champion. “It’s great to have PSP joining us as a new Champion. We know PSP as the sponsor of the PSP Southampton Boat Show and it is an event that Business Solent is actively involved with every year. We look forward to working with the team at PSP, whose worldwide reach will help to further promote the Solent region,” she said.
Five New Routes and a New Operator Launch from Southampton Airport
Five new routes and a new operator have launched from Southampton Airport, offering more choice of destinations than ever before. People travelling from this region are now able to access up to 49 different destinations from the Hampshire airport, including 15 routes across France. Flybe has launched three new routes to France this summer, with flights to Beziers, Clermont-Ferrand and Pau operating several times each week. Thomas Cook is new to Southampton Airport for 2011 offering summer holidays to both Majorca on Saturdays, and Menorca on Sundays. Both have excellent morning departure times from Southampton meaning holidays start that bit sooner. The fifth new route to launch from Southampton Airport this summer is to Dijon with Eastern Airways.
Champion Programme solent champions are the driving force behind Business solent 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.
Above: PSP are proud sponsors of the PSP Southampton Boat Show
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 170 leading employers enable the work of Business Solent in aiming to position the Solent region as the best place to do business, to live, to study and enjoy.
Paris Smith Become Exclusive Legal Partner to Hampshire Cricket hampshire cricket is delighted to announce an exclusive partnership with paris smith solicitors. The Southampton-based firm – which is one of the largest independent regional firms of solicitors and Planning Consultants in Central Southern England – will be the club’s official legal partner. The deal will last for one year and will see Paris Smith continue to assist Hampshire Cricket as the club transforms it’s home ground, The Rose Bowl, into the first Model Test match ground in the UK [according to the England and Wales Cricket Board’s own standards]. Managing Director at The Rose Bowl, Glenn Delve said, “Paris Smith have been an invaluable asset for Hampshire Cricket and The Rose Bowl for many years. Their expertise has been instrumental in transforming the ground from a very good International and domestic cricket venue, to one that is capable of hosting Test matches of the very highest level. “In June, The Rose Bowl hosted the first ever Test match on the South Coast and we feel sure that this historic event could not have happened without the help of Paris Smith and all our partners.”
Paris Smith has successfully worked with the club to obtain for them Planning permission on a major development proposal, which includes a 175-bed four-star hotel and two covered stands to increase current permanent seating capacity to 15,000 as well as an 18-hole championship golf course.
Inaugural Box Moves for Crane Duo The latest pair of super-post panamax cranes to join DP World Southampton’s quayside crane fleet handled their first boxes in May. The new cranes are capable of servicing the largest container vessels in the world and will bring Southampton’s quayside crane fleet to a total of twelve. The two new cranes, which will be called Charlie and Delta, took three months to build. Southampton Businessman Headed for Icy Waters
A Southampton businessman, normally known for his expertise in social media and marketing, has surprised his peers by secretly planning an adventure to the Arctic Circle. Ed Gould, Partner of marketing communications agency, Carswell Gould, announced that he will take part in an on-water adventure that would send most in the business world running. Ed will travel from Scotland to the Arctic Circle in a tiny, six metre, Suzuki powered Humber RIB over the course of six days as part of the first ever GORE-TEX® Arctic Challenge. Above left to right: Zac Toumazi from The Rose Bowl, Janet May from Paris Smith, Glenn Delve from The Rose Bowl and Nick Vaughan from Paris Smith.
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champion spotlight
WestQuay Still on Target with 17m Visitors a Year There’s no denying WestQuay has transformed the way people shop in Southampton and beyond.
Above: Andy Collyer, General Manager, WestQuay.
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he centre celebrated its 10th anniversary last year and now attracts 17m visitors a year – the equivalent of the population of bustling Beijing or crowded Cairo. General Manager Andy Collyer explained he was delighted WestQuay had weathered the economic downturn so well. “Over the last couple of years there has been a significant challenge to the whole of the retail world. “Fundamental to the success of WestQuay, has been the ability to continue to attract shoppers – footfall has continued to rise and we are still attracting new retailers to WestQuay,” he said. The 'dream team' of John Lewis and Marks & Spencer helped put WestQuay on the regional shopping map right from the start and WestQuay has continued to evolve. A recent new name has been Hollister, the Southern California lifestyle brand. They chose to make WestQuay their first port of call outside of London and it has been this ability to bring new retailers to Southampton that has helped WestQuay to become one of the top shopping destinations in the UK. “The fact retailers such as Hollister and Apple choose to come to WestQuay endorses the standing Southampton enjoys.” “It is at the top of the list of the places outside of London that retailers want to come to,” he said. Of course the whole shopping experience is about more than visiting your favourite shops on a regular basis and WestQuay has recently been recognised for its events programme. “We are always aiming to offer something more than the simple shopping experience. We stage events throughout the year so shoppers will always see something new when they come back to WestQuay. “In the current economic climate it is critically important to offer that little bit extra – and we have just been recognised at the British Council of Shopping Centres Purple Apple awards,” he said. WestQuay received a merit award for their Summer Funival – a series of events for children held through the summer holidays. Looking to the future Andy said they would
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Above: Shoppers at WestQuay.
continue to build on the retail offer at WestQuay and the much anticipated Watermark development (on the vacant site between the shopping centre and The Quays leisure centre) will create a destination for restaurant brands. “There will be strong dining offer bringing even more choice to Southampton and the Solent region – and more details will be announced later this year,” he said. Andy sees working with the rest of the city to promote Southampton as a great place to live, visit and work as one of his key roles as General Manger. He chairs the board of Streets Ahead, the Southampton City Centre Management company that brings Christmas markets to the city and recently brought the statue of Freddie Mercury to promote We Will Rock You at the Mayflower
Theatre. Welcoming the expansion of Business Solent and the opportunities it will bring for the region, Andy said WestQuay was a great believer in the work achieved by Business Southampton. “Business Southampton allowed us to build relationships with other key stakeholders in the city. Increasingly it is up to the private sector to take more of a lead and organisations like Business Solent are making that happen,” he said.
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New to Business Solent?
From Business Southampton to Business Solent Already a Champion? What does it mean for you? Q – Why the development from Business Southampton to Business Solent? A – Sharing the success of the business engagement model provides the opportunity to expand and connect more businesses across a wider area - the Solent region. Expanding the remit enables more opportunities, increased business relations and improved economic growth and prosperity for the Solent region. Q – What difference does it make to our organisation? A – Business Solent will focus on local, regional, national and international outcomes. You will still receive the same level of direct benefits and see the same level of service but it also means that you can become involved in even more issues that are important to your businesses. The impact will be positive for all.
Q – My organisation has branches elsewhere within the Solent – can they be involved? A – Absolutely. Action Groups and events will be both localised, and where of benefit to the whole of the Solent area, will also act across the region.
Paul Willoughby, Sales Manager UK Central & South East, Flybe, “As Europe’s largest regional airline and the UK’s Number One Domestic carrier, providing residents across the Solent Region with convenient flights to 38 destinations from Southampton airport, Flybe is delighted to support the development of Business Solent. Business Southampton has connected the business leaders of the area and we look forward to that being replicated across the wider region.”
Q – How will you service the Solent region? A – We have identified where we need to grow our resource to build on the success to date. The development of Action Groups will be key in making a difference and we want to help build on the work/ideas that already exist within the region. We hope to work closely with the external business support initiatives, partnerships and organisations that are already established to create a strong business offer across the Solent region.
Sean Woodward, Solent LEP board member, Chairman of the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire and Leader of Fareham Borough Council: “It’s important for the vitality of the local economy for us to work as a region to promote the Solent as a great place to do business, live and study.”
Adam Wheeler, Provost, University of Southampton, “The transformation of Business Southampton to become Business Solent is a major opportunity for its Champions and businesses throughout the Solent region. The region is our natural economic, social and geographical home. It is powered by a concentration of innovative businesses and universities located in one of the UK’s leading gateways to the world.” “Business Solent will connect businesses and their leaders to develop the full potential offered by the richness of the Solent region to develop it as a world-class business hub. It will work in partnership with like-minded bodies to deliver enhanced value to businesses in the region.”
“The creation of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership means we will be putting the case for the region at a national level - so it is timely that Business Solent should be championing the region and connecting business in such a positive way,” he said.
Frank Dixie, Managing Director of PSP, “The expansion of Business Southampton into the Solent region is welcome news for businesses. It is a natural progression that will create improved connection between companies inside and outside of the SO postcode area.” “As a business based outside the city but with heavy involvement in Southampton as title sponsor of the PSP Southampton Boat Show and a frequent user of the port, we are looking forward to the further networking opportunities and collaborative working that this move will create.”
Q – Will it cost me more? A – No. Membership levels for Champions will remain the same.
Ian Lockwood, Commercial Director at Taylor Made Computer Solutions, “Based on what has happened with Business Southampton, we welcome the development of Business Solent and think it will be great for the region. “We have been really impressed with the Action groups, they are a great forum for people to get together to air their views and take their ideas forward.”
David Murray, Managing Director, The Business Magazine, “The Business Magazine is delighted to support Business Solent. The new organisation and the Solent edition of our magazine share the same geographical boundaries and together we actively promote the Solent region, flying the flag for this great business powerhouse. The Solent 250, our listing of the top 250 private businesses in the region, also supports Business Solent. There are many synergies between us and we hope to provide a platform for networking, forums and thought leadership in the coming months. Business Solent will grow on the undoubted success of Business Southampton.”
“We will be breaking down regional and city barriers.”
Business Solent News
Q – Is it exclusive? Who can join? A – Business Solent is open to all organisations that do business within the region private, public, third sector and education establishments. Depending on the size of your organisation you can become involved as a Solent Champion or join the Associate Programme. Q – What are Solent Champions? What is the Champion Programme? A – Solent Champions are at the heart of Business Solent as they decide what is important and what is needed to improve the economic prosperity across the region. They are organisations that provide financial resource and in return receive a range of benefits from agenda setting and being part of the solution through Actions Groups, to marketing, PR and a comprehensive calendar of business events. The Champion Programme is a benefit and value package that provides the business network. Q – What is the Associate Programme? A – The Associate programme is for those smaller organisations wanting to be involved in the ethos and supply chain development objectives of Business Solent but at a lower financial commitment. The Associate programme does not have the same level of profile and benefits as the Champion Programme. Q – What are the benefits? A – Being a Solent Champion connects businesses to do business. Solent Champions can be as involved as they want by being part of an Action Group and attending any of the numerous events staged throughout the year. It provides increased connections (clients, supply chains, stakeholders, knowledge), influence and profile. Q – Where does my money go? A – As a not-for-profit organisation, all financial contributions go towards the efficient running of the organisation, delivery of Action Group projects as identified by business leaders, marketing and events.
Gary Coulson, Director Terrence O’Rourke, “One of the key developments with the creation of Business Solent is that it will transcend the administrative boundaries and encompass the region, reflecting the real economy in terms of business connections and vitality.
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Q – What is Business Solent? A – Business Solent is a not-for-profit business engagement organisation, connecting business leaders to drive economic prosperity across the Solent region. It aims to promote the Solent region as a place to work, invest, study, live and enjoy.
Chris Ward, Commercial Director, Chewton Glen Hotel, “With the launch of Business Solent and the new geographical focus it creates, we hope it will have a very positive impact for the development of local business links for Chewton Glen.” “We pride ourselves on supporting local businesses and are always looking at ways of improving our network of local contacts. As a Champion we see development into Business Solent as a major positive vehicle in helping us do this.”
Denise Dorley-Brown, Manager, Pertemps on the Isle of Wight, said: “Being a Champion and having firsthand experience of the effectiveness of working collaboratively with various Business leaders, Councils and other organisations for the greater good of the region, I am really excited about the prospects for Business Solent.”
Q – What difference did Business Southampton make to the Southampton city region? A – Business Southampton was formed by the need of businesses to be engaged and be part of the solution. As a result its easier to do business in the Southampton city region we’ve connected business leaders for the first time, increased their business relationships, focused their efforts and provided the platform for them to make a difference through the creation of Action Groups and at events.
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sKills and education update
Placements – A Cost-effective Way of Bringing Expertise into your Organisation the world of employment is changing for today’s students and many employers feel a degree is not enough anymore. southampton solent university understands this challenge and has a team dedicated to improving the opportunities available for students in the work place, giving them real work experience. An effective way of helping students to gain this valuable experience is through organised placements. These last between six weeks and one year and bring benefits to the employer organisations as well as the students. The first major benefit to employers is cost. Offering a placement to a student is a costeffective way of bringing expertise into an organisation. Placement students do not expect graduate salaries and are often paid small wages, or for some shorter term opportunities, lunch and travel expenses. A placement offers organisations the opportunity to assess the potential of the student, like a long term job interview. If the student helps to grow the business then they could consider offering them future employment, either as a graduate or part time when they return to their course. Overall, providing a placement for a student can help to grow a business with motivated young talent in a cost effective way, and importantly, student placements in local organisations help to keep graduate talent in the region.
If you have a placement opportunity you would like to offer to students or if you would like to discuss the possibility of offering placements in the future please contact Southampton Solent University by emailing placements@solent.ac.uk or calling 023 8031 9799.
Tap into the Solent Creatives Talent Pool solent creatives is a new venture from southampton solent university. it offers access to the university’s acclaimed media faculty, for businesses, students and private individuals. Businesses and not for profit organisations who need to, for example, develop their website, create a brochure or use social media to build their brand, can tap into the Solent Creatives for one-off specialist assistance. The scheme matches talented young designers, writers, event managers, marketers, photographers, musicians (the list runs to over 30 disciplines) with organisations needing flexible, freelance help. Why is the University doing this? It’s increasingly common for people to work in the media sector on a self-employed, contract basis. The University is encouraging its students to be entrepreneurial to compete in the new environment. Solent Creatives gives them this kind of commercial exposure, at the same time building strong, mutually beneficial links with businesses in the region.
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What are the key benefits? Business benefits include: • Specialist media skills at minimal cost • Flexible, ad-hoc, project-based help • Quality assurance – skills-matched by Southampton Solent University’s Faculty of Media, Arts and Society. If you would like to Get in touch If you would like to chat to someone about Solent Creatives, contact: Nicky Curtis by emailing nickycurtis@solentcreatives.co.uk or visit www.solentcreatives.co.uk
Anna Hales from Business Solent has had involvement with Solent Creatives through Dance Off Southampton 2011 and comments:
“the solent creative’s scheme is an amazing opportunity for our local talented students to gain the needed hands on experience of working on a live project within the creative industries and the businesses gain from the fresh ideas and enthusiasm that they bring. in the ever increasingly competitive job market, it’s becoming more apparent that students need to show they have had real work experience and the solent creatives scheme is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate this.”
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International Business
action group update
First Delegation by Southampton India Business Network Member is a Major Success A recent delegation to India including Amarjit Singh from Dutton Gregory, founder member of the Southampton India Business Network (SIBN), was a major success – and more look set to follow. Mr Singh, who helped establish the network in Southampton with Adam Wheeler of the University of Southampton, explained the sevenday visit, which was organised by the UK India Business Council, was extremely useful. “It is the first delegation I have been involved with. We visited the major metropolis of Mumbai and the emerging cities of Pune and Kolkata. “It was interesting to see from a cultural and methodological point of view how business is done – and the huge focus there is on personal relationships,” he said. The visit allowed Mr Singh to gather an
International Connections BDO Southampton Senior Partner Kim Hayward recently addressed the Southampton business breakfast briefing. Here he explains the opportunities for growth in a global market. For many businesses, international trade is not just about exports and imports, it is about setting up and running operations in other countries, exploiting either their own domestic market place, or seeking more efficient cost bases and supply chains. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), is no recent phenomenon; what is remarkable though is the speed of its increase and the shift away from the West and USA to the East. For the last two decades at least, the East was looked upon for low cost manufacturing; now it is the market opportunities that also appeal. By 2030, two thirds of the world’s middle class are forecast to be Chinese; with some 70% of the Indian population aged 25 or under in a country whose GDP will soon be increasing by 10% pa, fuelling a significant latent middle class - another consumer driven economy awaits us. But it isn’t all about India and China - the economies of Mexico, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia and Colombia, to name a few, are also set to prosper. The population of Indonesia alone will soon reach 300m. There are clearly issues for UK companies looking to set up business in these countries. Putting aside language and culture barriers, companies may face restrictions on foreign ownership, local trade protectionism and issues around business ethics, such as having to pay to ‘loosen’ local administrative burden. However,
if the market opportunities or the savings in getting products produced are large enough, then these opportunities should be explored. Our local businesses, supported by local and central government agencies, are more likely to feel confident of succeeding in India, the Middle East and China; Mexico, Nigeria and Columbia may just prove too difficult and too risky, at least for the meanwhile. Experience tells us that the companies who have succeeded in opening up their business around the world do so when they thoroughly research the market and how to do business, when they take professional advice as to ‘where’ and ‘how’, when they recruit the right local senior management and find the right local trading partners. They tend to realise that there will not be an immediate payback - this is a mediumterm ‘game’ and they do not underestimate the management time it will take to research, design, implement and then oversee the new operation. Having returned from a week in Mumbai where I attended a number of presentations, I was reminded of the scale of opportunities in India, the speed of change with new business parks ‘springing’ up, coupled with the frustration of seeing roads and physical infrastructure improvements lagging behind and undoubtedly slowing down progress. I came back energised by the ambition and excitement that so many business people in India feel about their own economic prospects. Moreover, I was reminded just how much in Indian business is familiar to us in the UK and that despite our chequered past, India respects the British way of life, and I think many Indian businesses will look forward to working with British businesses to help them exploit not only their own, vast, domestic market but the other overseas markets in which Indian businesses will increasingly establish themselves.
Above: Kim Hayward, Senior Audit and International Liaison Partner at BDO.
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unrivalled set of commercial contacts in India and he is excited about prospects for future visits. “Southampton India Business Network was set up in 2009. There is a huge appetite in the Solent region for building closer links with companies in India. It was striking the number of existing links between India and the South East. “In the future I can see through SIBN that we might co-ordinate our own Solent delegation. We are already starting to work with wider stakeholders to create a business corridor between ourselves and India,” he said.
The Southampton Olympics Legacy Business Group is looking to provide a warm welcome from hotels to foreign visitors during the Olympics by indicating those staff members that are bilingual and ensuring staff are upto-speed on local history and attractions. As a city located centrally between Weymouth and London, Southampton is the perfect place to stay during the Olympics.
Solent International Business Alliance Above: Frank Dixie, Managing Director, PSP.
Global Expansion WORLDWIDE boat transportation and logistics company, PSP, is set to open an office in China, following the opening of a dedicated base in India earlier this year. The move by Champion PSP, and title sponsor of the PSP Southampton Boat Show, is another example of a Solent business with a global outlook. The news of plans for a China office comes after PSP formed a freight office in Mumbai in February. The Indian office, a joint venture with SAI Freight, has proven such a success that PSP is using it as a model and replicating it in China. Frank Dixie, Managing Director, said: “We decided to set up an Indian office in order to maintain control over our work in that area. We imported a lot of traffic from Mumbai, Delhi and a few other places in India but found it could be difficult conducting business given the distances involved. “Since the opening of the office in Mumbai this has improved dramatically and, due to that success, we are looking to do the same in China. China is an emerging marketplace that offers huge opportunities for businesses in the Solent and, as one of the biggest trade routes in the world, is the obvious next place for PSP to set up an overseas office.”
A brand new business alliance has been established in the Solent to strengthen trade links internationally. The Solent International Business Alliance had its inaugural meeting at Grant Thornton’s offices in Southampton and the group will work together to strengthen networks and increase opportunities for collaborative and cross-border relationships. Members will meet regularly to discuss how business in the south can work together to share knowledge of the global markets and business opportunities, while creating an effective platform to promote the south’s regional strengths in the international marketplace. Norman Armstrong, Partner at Grant Thornton, said: “There are plenty of opportunities for businesses in the Solent to move onto the international platform and what’s clear is that companies geared towards global demands and exporting goods and services to international markets are enjoying success. “However, whilst currency deflation has tipped
the balance in the UK’s favour, competition for trade and investment in global markets is intense. That is why groups such as these are vital in helping businesses work collaboratively to penetrate international markets. “The enthusiasm for our initial focus on China, with the support of the CBBC, shows the significant appetite that exists in the Solent region. I am therefore very positive about the work of the group going forward and what it will achieve.” Sally Lynksey, Chief Executive of Business Southampton, added: “The Solent International Business Alliance will play a key role in connecting international business opportunities with local businesses by developing contacts, supply chains and clusters. We plan to focus on the emerging and growing markets that have most relevance to the key sectors in the Solent region we welcome Solent Champions with an interest in the Alliance to get involved.”
The marketing alliance is looking at producing a city e-bulletin to bring together all the good news stories, latest information and opportunities within the city. It will also work closely with other Southampton based Action Groups to help deliver their aims and objectives.
The Future Southampton Action Group will next meet in July. Where the group will discuss and set the priorities for the years ahead. Task teams will form to drive the delivery and outcomes of the chosen projects and will be a catalyst for development and regeneration in the City Centre. Possible task groups being considered are: Vision and Values, Master Plan, Neighbourhood Plan, A Place for a Day, Inward Investment, CityMaker Awards.
To find out more visit www.psp-logistics.com Above: Attendies at the Solent Internation Business Alliance inaugural meeting.
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in mY VieW
I’m joining Business Solent as Finance Director at a really interesting time and it feels great to be involved right from the start. By Chris Cundy
Finance Director of Business Solent
i see my role as providing the platform to encourage growth while overseeing corporate governance within the organisation – the organisation needs to be lean and flexible but with procedures in place to ensure we are fully accountable. THIS will be an interesting move for me as my business background has seen me concentrating on developing businesses to make them more profitable – with Business Solent it’s more about being the catalyst for outcomes for the region as a whole. I will be drawing on my considerable experience in financial matters so Business Solent can be lean and focused going forward. I trained as a chartered accountant with KPMG and spent 11 years with them in three different offices – Bristol, Brussels and Southampton. I joined Vosper Thornycroft in 1993 as deputy Finance Director and I spent four years expanding the business beyond the traditional area of shipbuilding. We diversified into engineering and support services encompassing everything from maintenance contracts, communications to training. The Group was very diverse and in addition to the defence activities, had operations with both central and local government ranging from Education and Skills Training to Nuclear decommissioning and operating fleets of vehicles. I’m no stranger to being at the heart of the action and during my time as Finance Director for the VT Group I oversaw its growth from a Southampton based company employing 2,000 people, mainly in shipbuilding, to a major international player with more than 14,000 employees. Over the period I saw the company grow from a turnover of £250m to £1.3b from 1997 to 2010. Having become Finance Director in 1997, I stood down in 2007 and became the Commercial and Corporate Development Director for the group until 2010 when it was acquired by Babcock.
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I’ve worked in Southampton for the past 20 years or so and I have a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the region. I am used to working with local and central government and I learned the value of collaborative working during my time with the VT Group. The Solent area is a great place to live, work and study. The lifestyle is wonderful and the region benefits from great communications linking it nationally and internationally through our local airports, road and rail infrastructure and ports. Developing Business Solent means more opportunities for business to get involved. It’s about collaboration and sharing – working together for the greater good of the region. It will be important to see a cross section of companies being involved with Business Solent. My experience has shown me that small
companies have the energy and innovation, while larger organisations have the resources available because of their size. It’s important for companies of different sizes to be able to work together as they each have different things to bring to the table – and ultimately it will be the region that will prosper in the end. Business Southampton has given the platform to businesses to work in collaboration and with a clear voice and sense of purpose to make things happen. I believe it has been successful to date because it has listened to the views of business and provided action and a forum on matters which are of direct importance to the local economy. As Business Solent becomes established it is crucial we maintain that local focus but also provide the forum for engagement across the natural economic region of the Solent.
I’ve worked in Southampton for the past 20 years or so and I have a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the region. I am used to working with local and central government and I learned the value of collaborative working during my time with the VT Group.
Upcoming Business Solent Events directors Forum
Working lunch
Wednesday 6th July, 6:30pm – 10:30pm, Mercure Southampton Central Dolphin Hotel exclusive black-tie dinner event for champions and clients.
Tuesday 13th September,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 and the coast.
sunset safari Thursday 14th July, 6pm – 10pm, Marwell Wildlife evening safari, BBQ and networking with champion marwell Wildlife.
south coast Business awards Friday 15th July, 7pm – ate, De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel the awards ceremony for the inaugural south coast Business awards in association with southern daily echo, destination southampton and sponsored by the coast.
champion & associate networking Wednesday 20th July, 5pm – 7pm, Yuzu Lounge Bar monthly drop-in networking evening for champions, associates, clients and guests.
champion Breakfast Briefing
Champion & Associate Networking Wednesday 19th October, 5pm – 7pm, Banana Wharf, Ocean Village, Southampton monthly drop-in networking evening for champions, associates, clients and guests.
Tuesday 20th September, 7:45am – 9:30am Mariners Restaurant, PSP Southampton Boat Show champion Briefing held at the psp southampton Boat show addressing a key issue for the solent region.
city champion & associate networking Wednesday 21st September, 5pm – 7pm, Yuzu Lounge Bar monthly drop-in networking evening for champions, associates, clients and guests.
Business Solent events are organised by Destination Southampton, the city’s official conference bureau.
Business Works
Contact: Shirley, Hannah or Charlotte about any of our upcoming events on 023 8068 2520.
Thursday 4th October, 11am – 4pm, De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel regional business exhibition in association with the southern daily echo and the coast.
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 News 15
champions oF the solent region 3 ... Enabling Business! 速 All About People, Process, Productivity
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