As 2025 comes to a close, and many Action Groups have held their final meetings of the year, our Chairs gathered at the Village Hotel in Eastleigh to reflect on the achievements of each group and discuss strategies for the year ahead.
People South
Heidi Roper highlighted the event-based approach People South will continue to take moving forward. From the engaging Mock Tribunal this summer, to a seminar on AI in the workplace, and the upcoming DEI talk with Monica Collins OBE and TEDx speaker Duke Harrison Hunter (spots still available), People South aims to be increasingly informative and engaging for our champions.
In 2026, the group plans to bring back the Mock Tribunal with a new theme, offer learning sessions on the Employment Rights Bill and technology usage in HR, and focus on skills retention across the region.
Energy & Utilities South
Shaun Stevens and Sam Clough outlined the progress made in the group’s first year, including exploring tools such as LENZA to identify energy infrastructure needs and support regional regeneration. The group also developed water and energy papers outlining regional strategies and requirements.
Looking ahead to 2026, Energy & Utilities South will drive regional growth by uniting stakeholders, addressing infrastructure barriers, and producing coordinated white-paper recommendations to advocate for investment, innovation, and policy development at both regional and national levels.
Sustainable South
Chairs Dan Walster and Rich Knight, highlighted a strong first year for Business South’s newest Action Group. The group’s walking/netwalking meeting to South Downs Cowdray ruins exemplified their hands-on approach.
The group is focusing on five sustainable KPIs for the region:
- Net Zero
- Natural Health
- World-Class Environments
- Quality in Design/Build
- Green Skills
This year, the Chairs drafted a Net Zero guidance document, a simple two-page guide to help businesses reduce emissions and set KPI baselines. In 2026, Sustainable South will continue to expand guidance for SMEs, including case studies and FAQs, with the final draft due by year-end.
Maritime & Transport South
Co chair Fran Collins reported on the success of the Maritime and Transport Careers Programme (MTCP), with over 400 students from 40 schools attending Careers Day on 20 November 2025.
For 2026, the group will focus on building a skilled workforce, strengthening the sector’s voice, and advancing integrated, sustainable transport. Through skills development, advocacy, and support for electrification, MTAG is helping shape a future-ready maritime and transport sector in the Central South.
Regenerate South
Chair Gavin Hall and deputy Oliver Sowton shared the group’s action-oriented strategy, including the creation of the Priorities for Good Growth document, launched at the Business South Annual Conference. Gavin attended all Action Group meetings this year to identify key demands and formulate an “oven-ready” document for the new Mayor of Hampshire and the Solent.
Each point in the document will be addressed by the Action Groups in 2026, ensuring focused action on regional growth priorities.
Housing Group
Chair Mark Perry reflected on the group’s visits to Welborne and a presentation by Prof Jane Falkingham on regional demographics. The Housing Group continues to focus on NHS key worker housing and sustainable housing initiatives, and will look to involve more developers and house builders in their discussions in 2026.
A fantastic review of the work undertaken in 2025, and we look forward to seeing how these efforts continue to make an impact in 2026.
