About Southern Policy Centre
The Southern Policy Centre (SPC) was established in 2014. It is the only independent think tank and policy forum for the central South. Our focus is on Hampshire, the cities of Southampton, Portsmouth, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) and the Isle of Wight but often extends to include Dorset, West Sussex, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
The central South has distinct challenges and opportunities. Areas of genuine wealth sit close to some of the poorest communities in England. World leading industries and higher education are accompanied by areas of low skills and low productivity. Regional growth needs to respect the sensitivities of our countryside, coastal areas and marine environment which are themselves, rich regional assets. It is not part of London but the relationship with it shapes large parts of the region.
The Southern Policy Centre offers a non-partisan and neutral space for challenging debate, driven by the belief that the central South has yet to fulfil its full potential either for the people who live here or for our contribution to England and the UK.
Our work is characterised by:
- Research and policy analysis
- Engagement with senior leaders across the private and public sectors
- Innovative approaches to public participation and consultation
- Data-informed policy making
- A consistent focus on practical policy making
- Partnering with universities, voluntary organisations and other think tanks
Key themes have included:
- Regional economic strategy and devolution
- Levelling Up
- Poverty, disadvantage, and youth aspirations
- Opportunities for growth in city centres, housing, life sciences and the creative industries
- Sustainable growth, net zero, and biodiversity
- Community health and wellbeing
The SPC works as a not-for-profit organisation and our projects have been funded by local authorities, government agencies, the private sector, NHS organisations, and charitable trusts.
About
SPC in the News
Recent news items mentioning our work: Southern Policy Centre report highlights region’s life sciences strength. Sam Pither, The Business Magazine, 2nd November 2022 Life sciences report tells how businesses are changing health and wellbeing: Darren Slade, Daily Echo, 26th October 2022 Portsmouth’s Debenhams set to close – what should […]
Public participation
Public participation The SPC organises and runs events for policymakers, businesses, community groups and members of the public. Deliberative polling At a time when more people than ever feel that politics doesn’t involve them, we need new ways to bring citizens into decision-making. Our innovative deliberative polling process helps public […]
Partners
Partners The Southern Policy Centre conducts its work with a wide range of partners from many areas of public life including business, higher education, government agencies, local and national government, as well as the charitable and third sectors: AHA Digital Arup BBC South Business South Cathedral Innovation Centre Citizens’ Assembly […]
Open Data
Open Data Background Open data, put simply, is information that has been made publicly available to everyone to access, use and share. It can be used by individuals, enterprises, and public organisations to enhance what they do by analysing patterns and making data-driven decisions. Open data should be easy to […]
Contact us
Feel free to contact us: Email General Manager Ruth Eastwood: ruth.eastwood@southernpolicycentre.co.uk Telephone: 0333 355 0897 Twitter: @policysouth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-policy-centre Our postal address is: Winchester Business Centre 10 Parchment Street Winchester SO23 8AT
Southern Policy Centre equality, diversity and inclusion policy
Southern Policy Centre equality, diversity and inclusion policy The Southern Policy Centre is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to […]
Southern Policy Centre Privacy Policy
Southern Policy Centre Privacy Policy Updated 1 July 2021 How we respect privacy when we deal with personal information collected by our organisation. This Privacy Policy applies to information we (Southern Policy Centre) collect about individuals who interact with our organisation. It explains what personal information we collect and how […]
Corporate Social Responsibility Policy
Corporate Social Responsibility Policy Introduction This Policy Statement is about how Southern Policy Centre Ltd (SPC) takes account of its economic, social and environmental impact in the way it operates as a business. SPC is committed to ensuring that any business undertakings are conducted as ethically as possible by following […]
Meet the Team
Meet the team Southern Policy Centre (SPC) was established in 2014 as the only independent think tank and policy forum for central southern England. SPC is a small organisation which operates as a not-for-profit enterprise and comprises three directors and a general manager. We are joined from time to time […]
About Southern Policy Centre
About Southern Policy Centre The Southern Policy Centre (SPC) was established in 2014. It is the only independent think tank and policy forum for the central South. Our focus is on Hampshire, the cities of Southampton, Portsmouth, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) and the Isle of Wight but often […]