‘Ambitions for the central South’
Conference 2023
Join Southern Policy Centre for our first ever regional conference on Tuesday 28th March 2023 from 9.30 am to 2.00 pm, the Spark building, Solent University
Ambitions-for-the-central-South-agenda2Download a copy of the agenda here.
Download a location map here.
Information on parking can be found here
THE CONFERENCE IS FULLY BOOKED: CONTACT [email protected] TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST
This half-day conference at Solent University will explore the opportunities and challenges facing the central South. These include creating places to live and work, opportunities for economic growth in life sciences, creative industries and maritime, the central importance of sustainability and net zero, and the need to ensure levelling-up and inclusion. The day will be structured around four thematic sessions and conclude with a panel discussion with local elected leaders chaired by Peter Henley the BBC South Political Editor. We will be joined on the day by local and national speakers who will inform, engage and encourage debate; lunch and refreshments are included and there will be plenty of opportunities for networking.
Sponsors
The conference would not be able to take place without the support of our generous sponsors Paris Smith, Abri, becg, Fawley Waterside, Drawnalism, Blake Morgan, The University of Southampton, Savills, Vail Williams, South Street Capital and Partnership for South Hampshire. We would also like to thank Solent University, Southampton for providing the venue free of charge.
Location
Solent University is located in the heart of Southampton city centre, within walking distance of Southampton Central train station. The University has limited on-site parking but there are several car parks in the immediate vicinity. Information on parking can be found here. The conference is being held in the Spark building; a campus map with wheelchair access can be accessed here. If you are a blue badge holder, please email Solent University to reserve a parking space on the main campus.
Themes
The conference will be structured around four thematic sessions focussing on regional economic strategy and devolution, Place, opportunities for growth, and poverty, disadvantage, levelling up and youth aspirations.
Regional economic strategy and devolution
The first themed session of the day will begin with an overview of regional strategy and devolution in the central South by SPC Director Prof John Denham.
Akash Paun, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government think tank will update us on deals in other regions.
Prof Mark E. Smith, Vice Chancellor of the University of Southampton will speak about the Hampshire Story, a forward-looking view of what Hampshire could be as a place and its distinctiveness and ambition.
David Williams, Lead Chief Executive for the Partnership for South Hampshire will outline how local authorities around the Solent work together for a better future for South Hampshire.
Chris Ashman is the Isle of Wight Director of Regeneration and he will look at this first theme of the day from an Island perspective.
Place
SPC Director Dr Simon Eden will introduce the second themed session of the day.
We will be joined by Professor AbuBakr Bahaj, from the University of Southampton who will speak about sustainable cities.
Dr Christelle Blunden from Southampton National Park City will challenge us on how we see nature in the urban space.
Dr Pippa Bostock, Director of Development, Engagement and Marketing at the Mary Rose Trust will speak about the importance of Creative industries and Place.
Dr Paul Spencer, Executive Director of Winchester BID will examine the role of business in creating civic identity.
Opportunities for Sustainable Growth
In our third themed session of the day, we’ll be joined by Rachael Randall, Chair of Solent LEP who will talk about opportunities in the region.
Rachel will be followed by Brian Johnson, Independent Chair of Solent Freeport who will speak about the opportunities that will emerge from achieving freeport status.
Dr Kam Pooni, the Royal Society Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of Southampton and CEO of Glyconics Ltd, will make a presentation on one of the central South’s unsung stories: its strength in fostering and promoting the life sciences.
Ross McNally, Executive Chair of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce will also join us to speak about business in the region.
Finally, Debbie Tann Chief Executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust will talk about sustainable growth.
Levelling Up and Wellbeing
SPC is proud of its work on disadvantage and levelling up and we’re delighted that Suki Sitaram, the author of our 2021 report on Levelling up: making the case for investment in the central South will be joining us to make a presentation.
Alex Whitfield, Chief Executive, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will examine regional health and levelling up.
Tim Houghton, Chief Executive of Community First will speak about the importance of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors.
Finally, Sharon Collins from the Keep Well Collaborative will speak about Health, well-being and housing.
Panel discussion
The day will end with a panel discussion with local elected leaders chaired by Peter Henley, BBC South Political Editor.
Leader of Southampton City Council, Cllr Satvir Kaur will participate in the discussion along with Cllr Seán Woodward who will join us in his role as Chair of PfSH. Cllr Steve Pitt from Portsmouth City Council will also be joining the panel.
Peter Henley is a familiar face to TV news viewers in the south of England. He has worked as a reporter for Meridian Tonight and BBC South Today and has been a presenter of the Sunday morning Politics South on BBC1 for twenty years. He is married with three grown-up children and lives near Southampton.