ith more businesses signing up to become City Champions, the influence of Business Southampton will increase in 2011. That’s the belief of CEO Sally Lynskey as she and the Chairman, Board of Directors, the team and the City Champions take the organisation forward – and she believes the power of Business Southampton lies in what can be achieved together. “It’s all about collaboration – we can achieve so much more together and build influence. It is that influence that will be critical during the coming year as we continue to tackle the current financial situation head on,” she said. A great example of that influence happened following the Working Lunch in October, when the potential for the Southampton River Itchen waterfront was discussed. City Champions were treated to an exclusive look at how the river frontage could be opened up for the whole city to enjoy – and before the event was even over the City Council were keen to hear more. “The Leader of Southampton City Council, W Newsletter ISSUE 08 • WINTER 2011 champions of the city region Southampton is a fantastic city. It has a real opportunity to bring all sectors of the city together within Business Southampton and I would strongly recommend to others their full involvement through becoming a City Champion. Tony Lubman Regional Partnership Director of Capita INFLUENCE OF BUSINESS SOUTHAMPTON IS SET TO GROW IN 2011 Above: Ocean Village Innovation Centre
Transcript
ith more businesses signing up to become City Champions, the influence of Business Southampton will increase in 2011.
That’s the belief of CEO Sally Lynskey as she and the Chairman, Board of Directors, the team and the City Champions take the organisation forward – and she believes the power of Business Southampton lies in what can be achieved together.
“It’s all about collaboration – we can achieve so much more together and build influence.
It is that influence that will be critical during the coming year as we continue to tackle the current financial situation head on,” she said.
A great example of that influence happened following the Working Lunch in October, when the potential for the Southampton River Itchen waterfront was discussed. City Champions were treated to an exclusive look at how the river frontage could be opened up for the whole city to enjoy – and before the event was even over the City Council were keen to hear more.
“The Leader of Southampton City Council,
W
Newsletter
ISSUE 08 • wIntEr 2011
champions of the city region
Southampton is a fantastic city. It has a real opportunity to bring all sectors of the city together within Business Southampton and I would strongly recommend to others their full involvement through becoming a City Champion.
Tony LubmanRegional Partnership Director of Capita
InfluenCe of BuSIneSS Southampton IS Set to Grow In 2011
Above: Ocean Village Innovation Centre
02 Business Southampton Newsletter Winter 11
Business Southampton news
Welcome to the Winter edition of the Business Southampton newsletter giving you an update on the work of Business Southampton and business news from the city region.
In this edition we bring you up to date on a busy Autumn as we look ahead in 2011 with optimism. We also bring you news on the work of our Action Groups and the regular updates from City Champions, including a spotlight on City Champion, Southampton City College.
I’m excited to tell you that our office has relocated to the new Ocean Village Innovation Centre – please note our new address and contact details below.
Sally Lynskey CEO Business Southampton
welcome
Business SouthamptonBusiness Southampton is a business-led organisation working with partners to engage the most influential leaders to challenge and address issues and maximise opportunities for the Southampton city region. Organi-sations, known as City Champions, support the work of Business Southampton.
Business SouthamptonOcean Village Innovation CentreOcean VillageSouthampton, SO14 3JZT: 0844 225 3130F: 0844 225 3132E: [email protected]
Follow us on Twitter: Bizsouthampton
www.businesssouthampton.com
A conference jointly hosted by Business Southampton, LEADER and the Southampton Council of Faiths was acclaimed as a huge success by organisers and delegates alike. A milestone event and the first if its kind for Southampton, the conference’s 7 key note speakers were greeted by an audience of 110 people from over 60 South Coast businesses.
Speakers included Rob Ardley, HR Manager at Ford and Sukhvinder Singh of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Mr Singh told the packed room “Events like this are very important – trying to promote equality and diversity into the mainstream and tackling the issues of faith in the workplace.”
Key note speaker Stephen Frost, Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the London 2012 Olympic Games Organising Committee enthralled the audience with examples of the good, the bad and the ugly of practices across many sporting arenas he has visited across the globe in his role. “In the next
Olympic Games, diversity is going to be one of our key differentiators.”
Hampshire is at the forefront of diversity and equality discussions, stimulating the organisation of the conference to share thoughts, practices and perspectives on change.
“Diversity and inclusion is a huge area” commented Mohammed Ansar, Chairman of the Hampshire Independent Equality Forum. “We have done a lot of key work with the public, private and voluntary sectors where there are a lot of lessons we can learn to move the agenda forward.”
Businesses that attended came from many industries including representatives from Balfour Beatty, Hampshire Constabulary and as far afield as Coventry University.
“It was an extremely valuable opportunity to meet people all working within this area” commented David Camp from the Association of Labour Providers who are heavily involved in diversity training and migrant worker employment areas.
Councillor Royston Smith made contact as soon as he was told about the meeting, because he wanted to see if the River Itchen waterfront could be included in the Master Plan that is currently being drawn up for the city. It was great to see the City Council being so responsive and the speakers, Gavin Hall from Savills and Paul Bulkeley of SNUG Projects/University of Southampton were delighted with the outcome”, said Sally.
During 2010, 43 new City Champions got involved with Business Southampton including Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall Investments and Barclays Corporate – a growth of nearly a third taking the total to 155. “Every new City Champion increases our influence and with a retention rate of
more than 90 per cent our City Champions know the value of being part of Business Southampton,” Sally commented.
Tony Lubman, Regional Partnership Director of Capita, said “Southampton is a fantastic city. It has a real opportunity to bring all sectors of the city together within Business Southampton and I would strongly recommend to others their full involvement through becoming a City Champion.”
While Andrew Savege, Head of Regeneration at Morgan Sindall Investments, said “We have been really impressed with the dynamism of the leadership of Business Southampton - they are clearly highly motivated. It is a great forum to meet the decision-makers of the city.”
Above: Speakers at the Diversity & Equality Conference 2010
Celebrating Diversity Success
ContentsPage 2/3 Business Southampton NewsPage 4/5 City Champion SpotlightPage 6/7 City Champion NewsPage 8 Action Group UpdatePage 10 In My ViewPage 11 Upcoming Events
Business Southampton Newsletter Winter 11 03
Business Southampton news
Above: Business Southampton Chairman MalcolmLe Bas addresses delegates at Directors’ Forum
Above: working Lunch L-R: Gareth Lewis from Southern Daily Echo, Kamal Miah from Kuti’s, Francis Benali, Paul Bulkeley and David Hawes from SNUG Projects and Gavin Hall from Savills.
Caroline Armitage, Partner at Thomas Eggar added, “Any commercial business, whether an established entity in Southampton or one looking to expand into the city, can have every confidence that Business Southampton is working tirelessly for the greater good of the business community. As a Silver Champion, Thomas Eggar LLP is proud to support the work of Sally and her team in promoting the commerciality of the city and region to a national and international audience.”
Despite the downturn, Southampton city region has seen many major developments come to fruition in 2010 including the completion of Guildhall Square, Ordnance Survey HQ, the expansion of The Rose Bowl,
Southampton Central Police Station, The Hub at Southampton City College and the Ocean Village Innovation Centre which is now the new home to the Business Southampton team.
“The cruise industry in the city continues to go from strength to strength and we have seen the launch of Queen Elizabeth, Celebrity Eclipse, Azura and Norwegian Epic during 2010 – all contributing massively to the local economy.”
“Nobody is denying it has been a tough year for business but major steps are being made to bring developments to fruition in the city region,” said Sally.
Looking ahead to 2011, Sally said she was looking forward to Business Southampton
extending its influence beyond the city and the region with a new public affairs vision for the Southampton region. “We need City Champions to give their in-put with a strategy that will enable greater influence and impact in Westminster and the European Parliament,” she said.
Business Southampton also has a key role to play in helping to shape the emerging Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and in association with other partners and organisations, will be involved in various aspects of future project delivery for the benefit of business and economic development on the South Coast. “The future role and influence of the organisation is looking vey exciting,” added Sally.
waterfront Dreams at working LunchThe Challenge to create an urban beach in an industrial corner of Southampton was thrown down at the latest Working Lunch.
The event, which was organised by Business Southampton and held in association with the Daily Echo and The Coast radio station, was a chance to explore further the possibility of waterfront access in the city.
But rather than looking at the long-discussed redevelopment of Royal Pier and Mayflower Park, the focus was switched to the River Itchen and the potential it holds for Southampton.
Paul Bulkeley of SNUG Projects/University of Southampton said the River Itchen was Southampton’s ‘hidden gem’. Far from being a boundary, it had the potential to be the ‘glue’ holding the two sides of the city together. “People don’t see the potential in the River Itchen. We need to get people thinking, debating and grappling with how things can change,” he said.
The River Itchen held the potential to allow public access to the water like never before and with a little imagination the link from the city centre could become as iconic as the Ramblas in Barcelona, he enthused.
In a bold move he threw down a challenge. “Just like Rotterdam or Paris, let’s have a beach
on the town depot site and see if people will actually use it. I’m brave enough to say that if someone will give me the land, I’m willing to underwrite it and take all the risk,” he said.
Gavin Hall from Savills revealed his firm first looked at the potential of the River Itchen several years ago and they carried out extensive work for a client to highlight the possibilities and while developments at American Wharf are now scheduled to go ahead, the potential for a wider vision still existed, he said.
No sooner was the Working Lunch over than moves were underway to further explore the potential of the River Itchen waterfront. Leader of Southampton City Council Councillor Royston Smith explained, “I couldn’t make the lunch but Councillor Alec Samuels emailed me to say the discussion was interesting so I was keen to find out more. I am arranging to meet with the speakers and if there are elements we can take further with the Master Plan, I would be interested to do so.”
Focus on Directors’ ForumFifty business leaders took the opportunity to network at the highest level when they gathered for the recent Directors Dinner held at the Mercure Dolphin Hotel in Southampton.
The evening was sponsored by bronze City Champion aap3 and guest speaker Joe Mooney, aap3 General Manager, spoke about the importance of focusing on core issues and
not allowing your business to be side-tracked by context.
Results from the bi-annual Business Southampton Survey identified a rise in cautious optimism in the city. The study, which is an economic barometer showing how the city is performing during the difficult economic climate, showed a number of interesting pointers.
In total 80 organisations responded to the survey and comparisons were made with a similar questionnaire completed in January 2010 to get a real feel for how Southampton is coping as a city.The study showed:• Workforces increased by 5%• 30% of businesses reported an increase in turnover• Decreased revenue dropped from 45% to 36%• More than 70% of organisations reduced overheadsSignificantly, when asked if they expected profits to rise in the next six months, respondents were more cautious. There was a six per cent rise in those who expected profits to fall, compared with the January 2010 survey.
Survey Shows Slight Improvement in Southampton Business Economy
04 Business Southampton Newsletter Winter 11
Business Southampton Champion Spotlight
Associate ProgrammeThe Associate Programme has been developed for individual supporters, entrepreneurs, City Champion Supply Chain companies, Schools, Trade Bodies, Charities & Not-for-Profit Organisations, Clubs & Associations, City Partners & Stakeholders and External Public Authorities & Organisations.
Associates’ get real value but do not receive the wider range of benefits, profile and recognition available within the City Champion programme. Benefits of being an Associate include PR, advertising and specific networking and project opportunities.
If you wish to find out more about the City Champion or Associate ProgrammeContact Leigh-Sara Timberlakeby emailing: [email protected] call 0844 225 3130
new City ChampionsOver 150 City Champions support the work of Business Southampton in aiming to position the city as the regional centre for business on the South Coast, outside London. Organisations for the SO postcode region continue to pledge and renew support as City Champions.The following organisations have recently joined as City Champions:
The City Champions are the driving force behind Business Southampton. The programme enables the business community to contribute to raising the profile of the city region, advocate support for and influence decisions on public policy and to drive forward change. They benefit from increased PR, networking opportunities and a comprehensive calendar of business events.
City Champions represent a diverse cross-
section of business and provide a powerful forum for debate, generating ideas and project initiatives for the benefit of the city region.
Could you be a City Champion? Find out how you can help to make the Southampton region a world-class location in which to live, work, study and visit, contact Business Southampton.
the City Champions are the Driving Force Behind Business Southampton
Representing City Champion interests by uniting business leaders across the region
Priorities for the Southampton city region:RSupporting economic development and regeneration
RInfluencing the skills agenda and workforce development
RMarketing and promoting the city
Could your organisation become a City Champion, influence positive change for the future and receive direct benefits? Contact us now for more information.
www.solentsynergy.co.uk
Business Southampton Newsletter Winter 11 05
Business Southampton Champion Spotlight
Principal and CEO, Lindsey Noble, explains how the college is evolving.
When most people think of a college they imagine a place closed off to the general public. A place where only 16 to 18-year-olds or adults on courses can enter. A building full of classrooms that is
open Monday to Friday for those granted access.
Thankfully, City College is nothing like this and we are rapidly becoming a hub for the whole of Southampton - with visitors including everyone from teenage and adult learners to businesses holding seminars, theatre companies putting on productions and the beauty-conscious looking for makeovers and relaxation.
Our brand new development, The Hub, has heralded a new era for the college and allowed us to integrate even more with the many communities of Southampton and its surrounding areas.
The building, which was opened for the first time in September 2010, features its own professional theatre, hair and beauty salon, restaurant, bar, cafe, exhibition space and conference facilities. Around £34m was invested in this latest phase and it has enabled us to further service Southampton’s many business needs.
The top of the range facilities within The Hub and other new buildings within the college, mirror the modern day workplace and students and apprentices are now learning with the same and sometimes better, equipment and environment that they have when they enter employment. This means that we are preparing students for a seamless transition into the workplace and generating a workforce for tomorrow, armed with the right skills.
The Hub has also allowed us to provide
an even better learning environment for our adult learners, many who come to us through Business Southampton. The spacious lecture theatres, conference and seminar rooms are an ideal environment for
employees to upskill with our many short courses, tailored to businesses.
November saw the official opening of The Hub Theatre, which is at the heart and soul of the building. As it is equipped with around £1m of industry-level equipment it will be a vital resource for performing arts groups across the city. We will be able to host everything from plays and dramas to full musicals and live performances. Students at the college taking the technical theatre course will be able to support visiting productions.
The Hub Theatre will also be a key venue for businesses in Southampton as it can be hired for conferences, speaker events, product launches, seminars and other events. The spacious entrance area will also be used for exhibitions and sales. With our top quality kitchens and some very keen chefs in the making we can provide top of the range catering to support these events.
The final bit of the jigsaw will be in place in February 2011 when our car park to serve customers of The Hub will be completed.
At the beginning of 2011 we are hosting Business Southampton’s Digital Southampton Workshop and a high profile apprenticeship week conference.
Having been a City Champion virtually from the start, it is fantastic that we are now able to host events for the organisation. Business Southampton’s events have always been of great value and the knowledge gained from them has become an essential tool for City College and City Training, helping to inform our business planning and future strategies.
Looking to the future, I hope that City College will become an even bigger part of Southampton’s business network and continue to play a vital role in providing the South’s businesses with a highly-skilled workforce.
To find out more about City College’s courses call 023 80 484848 or to find out about booking facilities within The Hub call 023 80 577214. Alternatively, visitwww.southampton-city.ac.uk.
Having recently completed the latest phase of its £48m campus redevelopment programme, Southampton City College is becoming a hub not just for students but for businesses and community organisations across the region.
Southampton City College– A Hub for Students and Businesses
SoUtHAmPton CIty CoLLEGE FACtS & FIGUrESIndustry: Education & training
Established in: 1943 and becameCity College in 1995
Employees: 475
Above: The Hub launched in 2010
Lindsey Noble, Principal
06 Business Southampton Newsletter Winter 11
Business Southampton City Champion news
City Championnews-in-Brief
PwC welcomes new Graduate JoinersPwC, the market leading professional services firm, has strengthened their South Coast practice in Southampton with 16 new graduate joiners and 3 new recruits through their A level entry scheme, HEADstart.
PwC is recognised as the top graduate employer, having been voted number one by students in The Times Top 100 graduate employers for an unprecedented seventh year in a row and top Accountancy Employer of the Year for a record tenth year by students.
Grant thornton reports 40% Growthin Pre-tax Profits Leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP’s pre-tax profits grew by 40.2% to £77.6 million in the financial year ended 30 June 2010.
Norman Armstrong, partner at Grant Thornton in Southampton which works with clients across Hampshire, provided his view on the regional perspective. He said, “The national picture is reflected here at Grant Thornton in Southampton where we have seen strong performance across all departments following the restructuring which took place last year. The Solent region is remaining resilient and we are seeing real growth in our Assurance and Tax practices, with ambitious local businessmen contacting us to make the most of the current market opportunities both in the UK and via international expansion.”
Lime wood Launches the Herb House In November, the Lime Wood hotel in the heart of the New Forest, launched the Herb House; a new three storey destination spa dedicated to natural wellbeing that is going to significantly raise the bar for destination spas around the world. Inspired by its forest surroundings, the Herb House naturally invites a sense of calm and serenity bringing clients the ultimate rejuvenating retreat.
Princess Coaches Up for top AwardPrincess Coaches has been listed as a finalist in the industry backed Operator Excellence Awards. As one of six companies nationwide to be shortlisted as finalists for the category, “Coach Operator of the year, 10 to 30 Coaches”.
Pete Brown, Managing Director of Princess Coaches commented “We are absolutely delighted to be recognised by our peers and shortlisted for this award.”
There aren’t many small local charities that reach a ripe old age of 30!
What a fantastic achievement and more importantly, throughout those years, this unique charity has given £20,000 million to help local cancer patients and their families.
Fundraising events are high on the Trust’s list this year with the highlight being the very prestigious Midsummer Diamond Ball on 24th June at the De Vere Grand Harbour.
Sally Hall, Chief Executive of the Trust said, “It’s an honour to be a part of such a special
organisation, especially when it’s celebrating such an amazing anniversary and we are going to be making the most of it! We are delighted that the Peter Cooper Volkswagen Group has provided a fabulous white Polo for our Diamond Draw on 9th July and to celebrate the real achievements of the Trust, a very special dinner is being held on 23rd September, where a number of world leaders in cancer, will talk about how funding from the Wessex Cancer Trust has helped them in their pioneering work.”
The Wessex Cancer Trust provides direct support for cancer patients and their families
through grants, counselling, complementary therapies, transport and respite care through its 2 holiday homes. Funds have been given for world class research, capital projects and vital medical equipment. The Piam Brown Children’s Cancer Ward in Southampton also receives support from the Wessex Cancer Trust, and funding is provided for the training of shared care paediatric nurses across the Wessex region.
However, as Sally says, the job now is to look forward to the next 30 years! “We have a solid foundation from which to build on, thanks to the
support and hard work of so many people. Our aim this year is to raise the Trust’s profile and as much money as possible, so that we can help the growing number of people who are turning to us. To do this we need as much help and support as we can get so, for this very special year, please think of what you can do to help us and others.”
Along with the support of so many people, it’s going to be a fantastic birthday party for everyone to enjoy! For further information on all the 30th Birthday events and the Diamond Draw, see the Trust’s web site www.wessexcancer.org or give Jill a ring on 023 8067 2200.
Happy 30th Birthday to the wessex Cancer trust!
Above: The Wessex Cancer Trust Team
Southampton is to stage a major exhibition of nearly two hundred works by Andy Warhol (1928 – 1987), one of the giants of 20th century art. Paintings, prints, posters, photographs and film will be displayed across two of the city’s most prestigious art galleries, Southampton City Art Gallery and the John Hansard Gallery from the 27th March – 26th June 2011. The works on display are taken
from ARTIST ROOMS, a new collection of modern and contemporary art held by Tate and National Galleries of Scotland for the nation.
The exhibition in Southampton, which will have free admission, explores Warhol’s fascination with fame and celebrity, giving visitors an overview of his work from 1951 until his death in 1987.
Andy warhol - ArtISt roomS on tour
City Championnews-in-Brief
Chair reappointed by Southampton City Primary Care trustSouthampton City Primary Care Trust (PCT) is pleased to announce that the Appointments Commission has reappointed Pauline Quan-Arrow as Chair to its Board. Pauline’s reappointment will involve a remuneration of £34,152 and Pauline will be in post until 30 September 2014, or until the PCT is dissolved as expected in 2013.
Bob Deans, Chief Executive of NHS Southampton City said, “I am very pleased Pauline has been reappointed as Chair of Southampton City PCT. We face some real challenges and opportunities over the next few years and I look forward to Pauline being part of these and improving the healthcare and services for the people of Southampton.”
Funding Initiative for Solent Companies Launched at Collaborate2InnovateA new initiative to assist growing companies in the Solent region looking for business development funding was launched at Collaborate2Innovate 2010 in November. The universities of Southampton and Portsmouth announced that they have signed a sponsorship deal with Oxford Innovation to support investment network meetings and investor training workshops in Southampton and Portsmouth from next year. The aim of the collaboration is to assist local companies by providing access to funding from high net worth individuals (‘business angels’) who are members of Oxford Innovation’s investment networks and to facilitate involvement by prospective local investors.
tSE on track with SuccessA Southampton based control panels producer for industry has completed a £500,000 contract for the UK’s largest ports group. The customer-built order for Associated British Ports in Southampton was carried out by Trant Electrical Systems (TSE), which has a design-and-production facility inthe city.
TSE was commissioned to provide the instrumentation control and steel cubicles for a new level crossing project at Eastern Docks.
Business Southampton Newsletter Winter 11 07
Business Southampton City Champion news
Large businesses with big energy bills are being urged to register for the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme if they have not already done so.
Organisations targeted by CRC only include those whose mandatory half hourly metered electricity consumption is greater than 6,000 MWh (circa £500k) per year. The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, previously known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), is an energy saving and carbon emissions reduction scheme for the UK.
Organisations need to monitor their emissions and purchase allowances to emit carbon dioxide. The more CO2 an organisation emits, the more allowances it needs to purchase, so there is a direct financial incentive to be more environmentally friendly.
Southampton City Council’s Energy Manager, Jason Taylor, explained the legislation came into being in April 2010 and it is mandatory for companies affected by the ruling to register. Failure to register will
lead to a fine of £5,000 plus an additional £500 per day until registered.
Cabinet member for Transport and Environment, Councillor Matt Dean, said, “The obligations the CRC places on business are significant and I am anxious that commerce isn’t damaged in Southampton as a result. As well as the tax element, businesses and organisations will be fined if they fail to register or are late supplying data so it’s a doubly blunt instrument. Smaller businesses aren’t caught by the current threshold, but no doubt that will change in the future.”
The Energy Partnership has already had a workshop session on CRC and Councillor Dean has said he will ensure a specific session to cover the subject in more detail during 2011. “It would be a tragedy if jobs or economic activity were lost as a result of a lack of understanding or late intervention,” he said.
If you have any questions regarding CRC you can contact Jason Taylor [email protected]
Big Business warned not to Fall Foul of CrC Energy Efficiency Scheme
City Police officers Begin move to new HQ
rom February 2011 city police officers and staff will start to move into their new headquarters in the city and the station will be open mid-March. The new Operational
Command Unit and police station costing £30m will be home to 500 members of staff drawn from the former Civic Centre station along with parts of Hulse Road, Shirley and Portswood.
The move comes as Southampton Police join the ever growing number of City Champions. Chief Superintendent Matthew Greening, Southampton’s police commander said, “I wanted the Police in Southampton to become City Champions because I believe in working with all sectors in the city to make Southampton safer and more prosperous for everyone who lives or works here.
“Good relationships of trust and confidence are important in business and they are also important in partnerships to promote safety. A safer city with crime continuing to fall will be more attractive to business and that helps bring more jobs into the city.
Ensuring Southampton is a safe and pleasant place to live work and play is a crucial role for the police – and a responsibility they share with everyone in the city. An increasing number of businesses are looking at how they can be more involved and many companies are joining in voluntary schemes with the police.
“People who want to create safer
neighbourhoods are getting involved and we really welcome local businesses getting on board like this. This can be done on a voluntary basis or people can become specials one day a month and their business pays for them to join us,” explained a spokesman.
F
Above: New Southampton Police HQ to open in 2011
Preventing Gridlock - Developing next Generation Internet InfrastructureTo keep pace with society’s ever increasing data-transmission requirements, the University of Southampton is leading a new project that is set to develop the next generation of internet infrastructure to enhance the capacity of broadband core networks, providing increased bandwidth of 100 times current capacity.
Business Southampton Action Group Update
Cruise Partnership Success Gets taken to the next Stage
aving successfully set up and established the Cruise Partnership Action Group, Business Southampton is looking forward to the next stage in its evolution.
The expanding cruise ship industry in Southampton has been responsible for bringing income worth many millions of pounds to the city and Southampton is now the UK’s premier cruise port.
Since it was set up in 2007, the Cruise Partnership has been the focus of meaningful discussion and action for all City Champions involved in Southampton’s port.
From the cruise ship operators themselves to the taxi firms and coach operators, the Cruise Partnership has provided a communication conduit that has seen major steps forward in signage, coach parking, customer service training, improvements in taxi provision in the port, solutions to baggage logistics, supply chain opportunities such as ‘meet the buyer’, ship visits and inaugural Cruise Ship events.
Business Southampton CEO Sally Lynskey said, “Establishing and enabling the
development of the Cruise Partnership has been one of Business Southampton’s real success stories. By getting everyone around the table we have been able to achieve so much.”
The next stage of that communication process will see the partnership dispersing to focus future discussion and action within the remit of other existing action groups.
So in future, all transport signage and infrastructure issues will be dealt with by the Transport Alliance which is building relationships at a national and international level, Solent Maritime will deal with everything to do with the sea, whilst events, promotion, visitor economy support and other such issues would come under the Marketing Southampton action group.
“We are ready to go to the next stage and by feeding into the other action groups that exist we can ensure a swift response on specific challenges and opportunities. We are building on the success of the Cruise Partnership and by segmenting our future approach, we hope to make even more progress in the future,”she said.
08 Business Southampton Newsletter Winter 11
Public Affairs“Influencing Policy – A Public Affairs Vision for the Southampton Region”2010 was a year of unprecedented political change and upheaval. With the formation of the coalition government, we have witnessed the birth of a new political landscape.
The coalition governments stated an open approach to engaging with the business community and its desire for business to play a greater role in the strategic development of regional economic growth and prosperity is evident through the introduction of the LEPs (Local Enterprise Partnerships).
Business Southampton is a strong, founder supporter of the Solent LEP and firmly believes that it is now time for businesses to unite with a cohesive and powerful voice to influence local, regional and national government. Together we will enable, drive, promote and deliver economic development across the region through partnership working and collaboration amongst the private and public sectors, education and third sector.
The recently formed Business Southampton Public Affairs Group is holding a summit in early January to examine how it can engage further with local, regional and national government on behalf of City Champions and in association with our broad base of partners and stakeholders from all sectors.
The summit will focus on how the Public Affairs Group can support the business-led objectives of the organisation through stakeholder engagement, campaigning and political engagement. Through consultation, the strategy, communications and delivery plan will be developed for influencing and enabling further positive change and benefits for all who work, live, study and visit in the SO region.
Southampton India Business networkSIBN (Southampton India Business Network) has acquired a more substantial status over recent months. It has been recognised as a key strategic partnership aimed at promoting bilateral trade with India and strengthening the UK India business corridor. As well as focusing on the international front, the events organised by the network have enabled relationships to develop locally and nationally.
An interesting and exciting programme of events is planned for 2011. The first event will be a special joint seminar in partnership with the IOD chapter for Hampshire and Isle of Wight to be hosted by Southern Daily Echo.
Amarjit Singh, Commercial Solicitor at Dutton Gregory LLP (a founding member of the network) commented, “SIBN has organically grown as a vehicle aimed at sharing of knowledge, networks and knowhow.” Amarjit has recently been appointed as South East Regional Ambassador to the UK India Business Council NGN.
H
Future SouthamptonFor the past few months the Future Southampton Action Group has been meeting on a regular basis to discuss the Southampton Masterplan that has been commissioned to David Lock Associates to complete. As they are not a city based organisation, the group has been using their collective expertise to discuss, plan, and engage with David Lock Associates.
After several meetings and a workshop to hypothetically knock down buildings and put up landmarks, a small number of the group were invited to attend a meeting at One Guildhall Square to listen to the master planners and make suggestions to help enforce how they think Southampton should be. The Future Southampton Group is now putting together a formal paper to the master planners and Southampton City Council as an official document.
Above: Launch of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth in October 2010
10 Business Southampton Newsletter Winter 11
Business Southampton In my View
“When I retired from my day job, little did I realise quite what I was taking on when I became Chairman of the Business Southampton Board.
In the past five years I have certainly been kept busy putting the case for business in Southampton at the highest level and now as I announce my retirement, I have to admit I will look back on my time in charge with great fondness and pride in what has been achieved.
When I retired as a solicitor I hadn’t planned to do anything like this but I must say it has been a great opportunity and I have met some wonderful people. I was approached to become Chairman of Business Southampton at an interesting time for the city. Both Southampton City Council and SEEDA had identified the need for an organisation to promote the city.
Being locally born and bred and having worked in the city for 46 years, I knew Southampton was in need of a bit of oomph to push it in the right direction and the case for an organisation like Business Southampton was made crystal clear after a conversation with the then leader of the City Council.
I remember going to see Adrian Vinson and asking who they went to for the business perspective and he told me they didn’t really have a regular means of making contact with the business community. It was that more than anything that encouraged me to get involved with Business Southampton.
Since those early days, the former City Council Chief Executive Brad Roynon and
Dawn Baxendale, Executive Director for Corporate Policy and Economic Development have been really supportive.
My aspirations were to make a difference and encourage economic growth for the Southampton region.
I have enjoyed working with Councillor Vinson, past leader Councillor Samuels and current leader Councillor Smith as well as Brad and Dawn. It opened my eyes to their point of view and I hope I was able to voice the case for business.
The success of Business Southampton is due in great part to the team who has made it all happen, led by CEO Sally Lynskey. I am full of admiration for what they have achieved. I am really proud of Sally and her team – they are all tremendous workers.
Highlights along the way have been many and I have enjoyed leading Business Southampton.
I am most proud of the fact we are now completely self-sustaining and that happened within four years and we are recognised as an organisation of action. When we first set it up, I was clear in my mind we didn’t want committees where people sit around talking about things – instead we have action groups and that sums up the Business Southampton philosophy.
Looking to the future, the new Chairman designate Philip Warr will take Business Southampton to the next level.
Business Southampton will need to have more political clout and that is something
Philip can bring. In the current financial climate many will be looking to the private sector and we have to ensure our business voice is heard.
While I welcome the formation of the Solent LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) to replace the soon to be defunct SEEDA (South East Economic Development Agency), I am concerned about the make-up of its board.
We mustn’t allow this to run as yet another public sector quango. At the very least the board should have a 60/40 make-up in favour of the private sector. The perception has to be that business is in control.
When I step down as Chairman, I will remain heavily involved as a Director. I am particularly keen to see the fulfillment of the Southampton Olympic Legacy Board that I was instrumental in setting up and to continue my other voluntary roles.
I’ve really enjoyed working with Sally and the team – and having the support of the board.
It has been a fascinating time and it has been gratifying to see how we have grown over the years. The Annual Conference has become a major event in the city. Last year’s with Lord Digby Jones as our key note speaker was particularly well received and I believe 2011’s will be even better.”
malcolm Le BasChairman, Business Southampton
Business SouthamptonHas made me So ProudAs Business Southampton Chairman malcolm Le Bas prepares to stand down after five years at the helm, he looks to the future with confidence.
Founder City Champions at the 2007 Business Southampton Launch
Upcoming BusinessSouthampton Events
For more information on any of the events opposite please email: [email protected],call 023 8068 2520 or visitwww.businesssouthampton.comPlease note that events aresubject to possible change.
City Champion BriefingTuesday 11th January, 9.30am – 1pm, St Mary’s Stadium, SouthamptonThe latest in a series of City Champion Briefings with the theme “Influencing Policy Summit: A Public Affairs Vision For Southampton”.
Hampshire SuppliersExhibition 2011Wednesday 19th January, 9am – 3pm,De Vere Grand Harbour HotelA seminar and exhibition giving an opportunity for local suppliers to showcase their products to local major buyers from the cruise industry, hotels, universities and local authorities.
City Champion & Associate networkingWednesday 19th January, 5pm – 7pm,Yuzu Lounge BarThis monthly drop-in social evening provides City Champions, Associates and guests the opportunity to enjoy relaxed networking, with half price drinks and complimentary tapas.
Directors’ ForumTuesday 8th February, 6.30pm – 10.30pm, MacDonald Botley Park Hotel & Country ClubAn exclusive black-tie dinner for City Champions.
Ford tourThursday 10th February, 8am – 10am,Ford PlantAn exclusive tour of the Southampton Plantand update from City Champion Ford.
City Champion & Associate networkingWednesday 16th February, 5pm – 7pm,YuzuThis monthly drop-in social evening provides City Champions, Associates and guests the opportunity to enjoy relaxed networking, with half price drinks and complimentary tapas.
Business Awards LaunchTuesday 1st March, 5pm-7.30pm (aprox.),De Vere Grand Harbour HotelLaunch of the regional Business Awards in association with the Southern Daily Echo and The Coast.
City Champion & Associate networkingWednesday 16th March, 5pm-7pm,The White Star TavernThis monthly drop-in social evening provides City Champions, Associates and guests the opportunity to enjoy relaxed networking, with half price drinks and complimentary tapas.
Business Southampton Newsletter Winter 11 11
www.businesssouthampton.comPlease note that events aresubject to possible change.
Business Southampton events are organised by Destination Southampton, the city’s official conference bureau.Contact: Shirley, Charlotte or Hannah about any of our upcoming eventson 023 8068 2520.
Annual Conference 2011Tuesday 25th January, 8.30am – 1.15pm,De Vere Grand Harbour HotelThis half-day conference with the theme “Southampton: Back to the Future” will include a key note speech from the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Norman Lamont.
Business Southampton City Champions
... Enabling Business!All About People, Process, Productivity
