Promoting England’s Central South region on a national and international stage has gained a major boost thanks to a new strategic alliance with the Solent Growth Partnership.
The endorsement by the partnership, which comprises Portsmouth City Council, Isle of Wight Council and Southampton City Council, will enable Business South to build on the work it has done to promote the region and attract investment to the Central South.
Funding worth £45,000 has been agreed for place partnership activity which includes attending the leading inward investment events such as MIPIM, UKREiiF and Expo Real later this year, as part of the UK Cities and Partners (UKCAP). Business South Group CEO, Leigh-Sara Timberlake has described the investment as a crucial step forward for the Central South.
As the gateway to the world’s fifth largest economy, the Central South is strategically placed when it comes to offering the perfect location to establish a business and invest for the future.
Over 20% of all FTSE 100 companies and more than 10,000 SMEs are based within the Central South region. Plus, the region’s universities are centres of innovation and world class research.
Leigh-Sara Timberlake said:
“We bring together the public and private sector with our leading universities and major organisations to shout about the Central South and this endorsement by the Solent Growth Partnership will help us to continue this important work for the region.”
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council and Chair of the Solent Growth Partnership, said:
“We are looking forward to continue to work with Business South to make the case for inward investment in our region.”
Business South is an independent and influential organisation operating in Central South UK as a non-partisan business engagement organisation. It connects leading employers to promote the area and champion the economy in the region.
Business South’s vision is for the region to be recognised nationally and internationally, as a preferred location of choice, able to attract and retain talent, driving increased opportunities for investment and business.