Promoting the Central South region on a national and international stage has gained a major boost thanks to a new strategic alliance with the Solent Growth Partnership.
The endorsement by the partnership, which comprises Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council, will enable Business South to build on the work it has done to promote our region and attract investment to the Central South.
Welcoming the news that funding worth £45,000 has been agreed for place partnership activity, Business South Group CEO, Leigh-Sara Timberlake said the investment was a crucial step forward for the Central South.
“We are delighted that the Solent Growth Partnership has decided to support the work we do to coordinate promotion of the Central South.
“This year so far, we have attended MIPIM, the world’s leading real estate event in Cannes and we flew the flag for the Central South at UKREiiF in Leeds with a strong presence from local authorities. In October we will be travelling to Munich to take part in Expo Real, as part of the UK Cities and Partners (UKCAP).
“We bring together the public and private sector with our leading universities and major organisations to shout about the Central South and this endorsement by the Solent Growth Partnership will help us to continue this important work for the region.”
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council and Chair of the Solent Growth Partnership, said: “We are really excited to announce this strategic partnership with Business South.
“We are really looking forward to continue to work with Business South to make the case for inward investment in our region.”
As the gateway to the world’s fifth largest economy, the Central South is strategically placed when it comes to offering the perfect location to establish a business and invest for the future.
Over 20% of all FTSE 100 companies and more than 10,000 SMEs are based within the Central South region.
From stunning coastal settings to ancient woodlands and an A to Z of heritage sites that many regions would covet, we quite simply have it all! Our universities are centres of innovation and world class research, producing the talent that will help our region to prosper.
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Picture Caption: L to R
Matthew Hill, Economic Development Southampton City Council; Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Transport Committee Isle of Wight Council; Leigh-Sara Timberlake, Group CEO Business South; Gavin Hall, Head of Savills Central South office and Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council and Chair of the Solent Growth Partnership.
About Business South
Business South is an independent and influential organisation operating in Central South UK as a non-partisan business engagement organisation. It connects leading employers to promote the area and champion the economy in the region.
Business South’s vision is for the region to be recognised nationally and internationally, as a preferred location of choice, able to attract and retain talent, driving increased opportunities for investment and business.
The organisation is bringing people together through its Champion Programme – there are more than 100 Business South Champions, employing 100,000 people between them and contributing an estimated £4 billion to the region.
Find out more www.businesssouth.org
