Regional collaboration a key theme at Business South conference
Regional collaboration for higher productivity was a key theme that emerged from Business South’s annual conference recently held at the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.[1]
More than 200 leaders and decision-makers from across the central south region gathered for the influential event on November 9.
Business South has joined five leading employers’ groups to create a new ‘Growing Together’ alliance, which will be chaired by Henri Murison, CEO of the Northern Powerhouse, to strengthen cooperation across different parts of the UK.
Speaking at the conference, Murison highlighted devolved local government, the need for investment and why improved public transport and better housing was key.
“One of the things that has made the road to devolution easier has been a consistent voice from business and a willingness from politicians to put aside local interests for the greater good,” he said.
“The devolution journey, of which I’m a huge proponent, has not yet come to this part of the world – but I am absolutely seized by the fact that there is complete willingness from your politicians to make something happen.
“Regarding transport, if I lived and worked here I would be very concerned about how it is basically as easy to get to London from where we are standing as it is to get to Portsmouth by public transport,” he added.
Murison also spoke of graduate retention challenges, access to talent, how city brands benefit outlying areas, skills gaps (or possibly businesses under-investing in skills) and how regional mayors work brilliantly.
Councillor Satvir Kaur, leader of Southampton city council, Cllr Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth city council, Cllr Paul Harvey, leader of Basingstoke & Deane borough council and Cllr Millie Earl, deputy leader of BCP Council also shared their thoughts on issues such as local plans, levelling up, social care and the selling off of assets.
Also launched at the conference was a new data service for the Central South compiled by the world-renowned team at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) based in Titchfield.
Earlier, James Hassett, the CEO of the Solent Freeport since June, had joined the conference via a video link in conversation with Red Funnel CEO Fran Collins and explained how the freeport’s bid stage had moved into a delivery phase.
Paul Johnson, the well-known commentator and director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), brought the conference to a close with a forensic look at the national situation with one eye on the forthcoming general election, which is due by early 2025.
“Living standards have barely grown in more than a decade, the economy is just about growing, but risks of recession remain because government support is coming out of the economy, taxes, interest rates, mortgage rates are all rising and asset values are going down,” he said.
“The national debt – the thing both parties are focusing on – is barely set to fall.”
Johnson said longer term challenges such as costs of an ageing population and net zero remained and would leave lots for whoever is Chancellor after the election to deal with.
Leigh-Sara Timberlake, group CEO for Business South, summed up: “Our annual conference is a key date in the business diary for the region and our line-up of speakers did not disappoint and will help set the agenda for the future.
“It was brilliant to hear from Henri Murison and we are very much looking forward to playing an active role in the Growing Together Alliance. Once more this illustrates that together we are stronger.”
The conference was sponsored by Allica Bank, Kier, Morgan Sindall, University of Southampton, AtkinsRealis and Hilton Hotels.
Visit Hampshire Biz News for bright, upbeat and positive business news from the county[3]
References
- ^ Business South’s (businesssouth.org)
- ^