By Councillor Rob Humby, Leader – Hampshire County Council
© NEW FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL
In leading one of England’s largest local authorities, with a population of over 1.4 million residents, I know that a strong, prosperous and thriving economy is absolutely essential to enable positive outcomes for our area and to deliver our wider ambitions for the future of the county of Hampshire. Therefore, amongst our overriding priorities as a County Council is ensuring that we maximise opportunities to secure future economic prosperity and growth.
To deliver this, we are committed to working in partnership with businesses, our training and skills providers and other public organisations to drive sustainable growth and attract national and international investment to our region. Collaboration is key to achieving this aim, and I firmly believe that we can achieve more together, working cohesively across our wider economic geography, so am delighted that, alongside other public and private sector organisations, Hampshire County Council is part of the consortium representing the Central South at MIPIM 2023.
Hampshire has much to offer. Alongside the county’s indisputable appeal as an attractive place to live and work, it is an excellent place to do business, and we look forward to highlighting Hampshire’s numerous innovative and unique qualities to MIPIM delegates. For example, we are already home to many well-established leading businesses and industries leading the way in construction, engineering, marine and aerospace, as well as manufacturers of electrical and digital products and providers of financial services. These businesses are connected through exceptional regional, national and international transport links via sea, rail and air, including two international airports and our recently announced Freeport – an international gateway and transport hub for Global Britain.
Our region is also a hive of world-class skills, especially in emerging industries like advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, digital and tech, and health and life sciences. We have the Space South Central cluster leading on space innovation, our games cluster promoting the area’s strength in creative technologies and a jet zero cluster, working to position the region as an international and national leader in the development of new technology for a decarbonised air travel industry.
BRITTEN NORMAN © STEVE THEARLE
Our exceptional skills and research base is underpinned by four world-class universities which are home to over 68,000 students, alongside our networks of outstanding regional colleges and vocational training providers. These providers continue to work in strategic partnership with our businesses and key sectors to ensure we are effectively developing the skills requirements of our workforce today and into the future – delivering cutting edge research to tackle tomorrow’s challenges in new and innovative ways. It is this focus on the long-term economy of Hampshire, building on these existing successful foundations, that also led to our considerable investment in the University of Southampton Science Park’s Catalyst Programme – to intensify and accelerate science and technology innovation in green, clean and digital business and industry in the county.
Offering the perfect blend of rural and city living, rich history and culture, stunning landscapes, and prosperous local economy, there is no doubt that Hampshire is a wonderful place to live and work – but importantly, it is an excellent place for commerce and we look forward to meeting investors and business leaders in person, to showcase the benefits to be reaped by capitalising on all that the area has to offer.
As featured in Central South’s PROSPER Magazine – download the full magazine here.
