Retaining talent to sustain the future of marine and maritime businesses in the Central South was one of the key issues under discussion at the Business South Business Leaders Breakfast at the Southampton International Boat Show.
The panel discussion was led by Lee Peck of Lee Peck Media and the panel consisted of:
- Lesley Robinson OBE, CEO British Marine
- Hannah Prowse, CEO, Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust
- Ian Palacio, Business Development Manager, Portsmouth International Port
- Ashley Highfield, CEO, Oyster Yachts
- Andy Tourell, Head of Sustainable Logistics, Ocean Infinity
- Satvir Kaur, Leader, Southampton City Council
- Linda Jacques, Partner, Lester Aldridge
A wide-ranging discussion covered everything from the long-term effects of Brexit to the issues surrounding retention of talent in the Central South.
Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, said her organisation had 1,500 members in the leisure marine market and she knew of a number of manufacturers who were seriously looking outside of the UK due to talent shortages.
Ashley Highfield, CEO Oyster Yachts, explained their yards in Southampton and Hythe were busy fulfilling orders but finding the talent to build their boats was an ongoing issue.
“We are hiring the best quality of staff from a relatively small pool,” he said.
Hannah Prowse, CEO, Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, said encouraging people to come into the marine and maritime sector was a key focus for her. She said it was important for the industry to pull together across the Central South region to gain the attention of government.
“Unless we galvanise, we have no voice. We need to pull together across the Central South. “Collectively we have the power to speak to government,” she added.
Councillor Satvir Kaur, Leader of Southampton City Council, said marine and maritime was a key focus for the city along with making Southampton a destination city with a focus on sustainability.
Leigh-Sara Timberlake, Group CEO of Business South, said: “Southampton International Boat Show is a key event in the Central South and we were delighted to bring together business leaders from across our geography to hear from our panel of speakers.
“Talent retention in the region and flexibility when it comes to the apprenticeship levy remain important topics for us to champion – together we are stronger.”
