The week offers a wide range of inspiring events, with the chance to interact with like-minded businesses, learn about latest business thinking and develop potential investment opportunities.
The South Coast's week-long festival of enterprise is back, providing free business events throughout Portsmouth and the region.
Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week (PSCBW) runs from 6 to 10 February and offers a wide range of inspiring events, with the chance to interact with like-minded businesses, learn about latest business thinking and develop potential investment opportunities.
The week will welcome over 40 speakers including Will King, founder of British toiletries company King of Shaves, and Dr Heather Melville OBE, Senior Managing Director of International PR and advisory company Teneo.
There’ll be talks and discussions around property issues, funding available for innovation, an update on the Solent Freeport, marketing for SMEs and much more. Over 20 businesses will also be opening their doors for anyone to drop in.
Becky Miles, Business Development Liaison Officer at the University of Portsmouth, said: “As the University 'for' Portsmouth, we are committed to celebrating Portsmouth’s unique strengths and heritage as a city; championing our shared interests, supporting economic growth and making the city a destination of choice for people to live, work and visit.
“The Business Week is the perfect opportunity for us to support and engage with our local business community. We work with businesses from all sectors, large or small, to find out more about their challenges, and identify opportunities where we can use our world-leading research and expertise to help.
“We already work closely with businesses through our Student Placements and Volunteer programmes, and services such as our free Business Consultancy Projects, Architectural Consultancy, Legal Advice Clinic, and our Energy Efficiency and Innovation grants.
“However, we’re always keen to find new ways to work collaboratively to positively enrich the economic, social and cultural life in the city and our region.”
Cllr Steve Pitt, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development for Portsmouth City Council, said: “This week gives a great opportunity to showcase the strength and depth of business within the city and its outlying districts. Portsmouth is a top 25 GVA in the UK and growing at the fastest rate for any city in the South.
“However, now more than ever, we need to be focusing on supporting our businesses and ensuring their success. This week will enable you to interact with your peers through various networking events, to be informed of the funding and support available, be inspired with creative solutions for your business and offers opportunities to engage with leading skills providers to help develop your workforce.”
This week gives a great opportunity to showcase the strength and depth of business within the city and its outlying districts. Portsmouth is a top 25 GVA in the UK and growing at the fastest rate for any city in the South.
This is the third Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week. Last year, the event attracted a local and international audience of over 1,000 delegates. This year, the week is supported by headline sponsor Catax; and business sponsors Flude and Kier. Other sponsors include the University of Portsmouth, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Portsmouth City Council, The Portsmouth News, Solent LEP, Havant and South Downs College and Fareham College.
Dawn Coker, Group Strategic Partnerships Director at Catax, said: “We are really excited to be a part of the business week this year. Portsmouth and the South Coast region has some great businesses of all sizes, which may not all be aware of what funding is available to them nationally, in addition to local funds.
“We know the region and have been members of the Hampshire Chamber for some time and sponsored events like Venturefest in Southampton. This is where we met the enthusiastic members from your council talking about Portsmouth. Their passion ignited our support to work with the organisers and headline sponsor the event and help to enable the region’s growth strategies.”
Find out more and register for events at portsmouth.southcoastbusinessweek.co.uk