Business South’s Maritime and Transport Action Group (MTAG) came together for a successful working lunch at Banana Wharf, Southampton. The meeting was chaired by Fran Collins, with valuable updates from Katie Bruce and Kate Johnston on the Maritime Transport Career Programme (MTCP). We are also very grateful to Claire Merritt and the team at Paris Smith for generously sponsoring the lunch, making the session possible.
The group discussed a wide-ranging agenda, beginning with progress on the MTCP programme. Members heard about the significant strides being made in outreach and partnership building, as well as preparations for the upcoming Careers Day on 20th November, which is set to bring together schools, colleges, and businesses from across the region. Communications also formed a key part of the conversation, with an emphasis on promoting MTCP resources and news more widely, ensuring that the opportunities available are shared across multiple platforms and reach as broad an audience as possible.
The meeting also turned its attention to devolution and political engagement, where members explored the opportunities and challenges surrounding integrated transport and decarbonisation. There was a clear call for the business community to continue sharing insights and solutions that will help inform and influence regional decision-makers.
Sustainability remained a central theme, with updates on the forthcoming Maritime Solent Awards, which continue to showcase the innovation and commitment to sustainable practices within the sector.
The working lunch proved to be a lively and collaborative session, filled with constructive discussion, new ideas, and opportunities to strengthen the region’s maritime and transport future. We look forward to continuing these conversations and building momentum at the next MTAG meeting on 14th October.
