Investors, developers and stakeholders converged on St Mary’s Stadium today for the Business South Regenerate South conference.
The Leader of Southampton City Council, Councillor Satvir Kaur welcomed 160 delegates and stressed Southampton had huge opportunities in the regeneration space.
She explained it was a very exciting time to do business in Southampton and she was focusing on purposeful growth in three areas: marine and maritime; ensuring Southampton is a destination city and developing future growth areas.
“We are focused on delivering short-term and thinking long-term.
“In Southampton we remain open for business. We have the vision, collaboration and grit to move us forward,” she said.
Gavin Hall, Chairman of Regenerate South, a Business South Action Group, hosted the day and explained the conference was part of a bigger picture of activity designed to promote the Central South on a global stage.
In March, Business South coordinated a business led consortium that promoted the region at MIPIM – the world’s leading real estate event.
The conference focused on housing and energy and utilities.
Matt Turpin, Public Affairs Lead at VIVID and Ben Walker, Head of External Affairs for Persimmon Homes talked about the Housing Manifesto that is currently being developed by Business South’s Housing Group. Matt explained there had been a lot of talk about numbers and bricks and mortar when it comes to housing need.
“We want to move beyond the figures and explore what our homes are all about. We are talking about personal spaces for people and as part of the Manfesto we will be engaging with audiences to reflect that personal aspect,” he said.
Ben added that the Manifesto would draw together principles that people can sign up to and the document would help us to focus on the ask to Central Government.
Simon Kennedy, Strategic Environmental Planning Manager at Fareham Borough Council and Partnership for South Hampshire had positive news for developers when it comes to nutrient nutrality. And Jim Barker, Head of Water at Portsmouth Water, explained a collaborative approach was needed to tackle the need for water.
There were two panel sessions with experts talking about housing need and energy and utility demand.
Tim Newns, Managing Director for Levelling Up at the Office for Investment, a joint unit that sits between No 10 Downing Street and the Department for Business & Trade, brought the conference to a close. He said he was delighted to be at the Regenerate South conference and it was an opportunity for him to learn more about the region. In order to attract investment to the Central South, clarity of vision was very important and collaboration was key, he said.
“Organisations like Business South are really important – the public sector, private sector and academic sector can’t do this on their own but together they are incredibly strong.
“It fills me with confidence when I see what is happening here in the Central South and it feels to me like there is a really bright future here. I am looking forward to working with you all to maximise the opportunities and generate new opportunities to attract international and national investment support,” he said.
The event was sponsored by Womble Bond Dickinson, Morgan Sinai Construction, Kier, Blake Morgan, Savills, Cavendish, Saints Events and The Bugle.
