Regional Partners | Business South

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Introduction

Alongside our Champions, local authorities and education providers we work closely with our Regional Partners to raise the profile of the Central South at a regional, national and international level.

By engaging with various stakeholders such as local skills initiatives, industry associations, community organisations, LEPs and clusters, Business South can help leverage collective expertise, resources, and networks to address complex challenges and seize opportunities.

Collaboration enables the pooling of diverse perspectives and talents, leading to innovative solutions that benefit not only individual businesses and Champions but also the broader regional economy. It also enables enhanced communication, coordination, and alignment of goals, resulting in more effective and efficient initiatives aimed at driving prosperity in the Central South.

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Telling the Central South story

Proud to be working with ONS and OS

Business South are hugely proud to be working with the teams at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Ordnance Survey (OS). Both are located in the Central South region and they have helped develop the story of the region.

ONS have developed a data set for the region and this was launched by Deputy Director for Subnational Statistics and Analysis at the ONS, Emma Hickman, and Yasmin Parekh from ONS Local (pictured) at our Annual Conference in 2023.

Ordnance Survey created a map for the Central South that features in Prosper Magazine and they also generated a digital version featuring investment sites for our stand at MIPIM, the world’s leading property and investment event held in Cannes.

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Skills initiatives

Tackling skills challenges in the Central South

We collaborate with educational institutions, business leaders, and government bodies to develop skills and create meaningful employment opportunities. From apprenticeship programmes to leadership training, we’re invested in human capital.

A new careers programme, the Maritime Transport Careers Programme (MTCP), launched in 2023 to help address the skills gap in the maritime and transport industries in the Central South. Created by Solent Partners (formerly Solent LEP) and members of the Maritime Transport Action Group (MTAG), one of Business South’s action groups, the programme highlights the wide variety of jobs available in the area and help attract a new influx of talent to future-proof the industry.

Business South also supported Hampshire Chamber of Commerce during the business consultation process for the Local Skills Improvement Plan.

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International profile

Working with Regional Partners to promote the Central South

Alongside our private-sector partners and Champions, we also worked alongside a number of Regional Partners, including Go! Southampton, Solent Freeport, Solent Partners and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce to showcase the Central South region at MIPIM, the world’s leading property and investment event in Cannes.

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Regional collaboration

Growing Together Alliance

Business South is part of the Growing Together Alliance, which unites six leading employers’ groups to strengthen cooperation and good growth across different parts of the country.

Working with BusinessLDN, Business West, Cambridge Ahead, Northern Powerhouse Partnership and the North West Business Leadership Team we are working together to leverage each region’s particular strengths.

A key area of focus for the Growing Together Alliance will be championing more effective place-based economic strategies to boost regional productivity, delivered through a greater level of engagement between Central Government and regional bodies to develop policies for good growth.

Become a Business South Champion

Ready to amplify your business reach and be a force for positive change in the Central South? Become a Business South Champion today and unlock a wealth of networking, profile-boosting, and business opportunities.

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