education & business 13
Fifty golden pledges to drive a bright future for Southampton
As Southampton prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary of city status in 2014, many are asking ’what next?’ for this city by the sea. Southampton Solent University has put itself firmly at the centre of the debate, recently hosting the Vision for 2020 conference and committing to a leading role in driving ideas forward for future prosperity. Alison Dewar of The Business Magazine listened in
“Southampton’s future is out there. It inhabits this city today. But, right now, it lies diffuse and dawdling. To be brought together and brought alive, it needs a catalyst. Why not make your 50th anniversary that catalyst?“
This was the challenge issued to a very distinguished audience by Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
’How about 50 commitments to mark 50 years?’
The latest Vision for 2020 event built on a three-year campaign led by Solent University to encourage employers to employ graduates, improve graduate retention in the region and to build a knowledge-based economy. Around 150 representatives from the private and public sectors, regional businesses and the education arena attended the October event to share ideas on future investment and prosperity, and look at ways in which to celebrate Southampton’s 50 years of city status.
Among those participating was Southampton Itchen MP the Rt Hon John Denham, who introduced Taylor as keynote speaker; Jan Ward, director of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership; and Barbara Compton, head of Development, Economy and Housing Renewal at Southampton City Council.
A prominent UK opinion leader and social action expert who studied in Southampton, Taylor was the Labour Party’s director of policy during its 1997 general election victory, before going on to become chief adviser on strategy to then prime minister, Tony Blair.
He told delegates that there were three narratives that tend to be used to persuade public opinion that something is important – a crisis; a decision
half century as a chartered city in which the institutions, businesses, communities of the city are challenged to make 50 commitments to be delivered by 2020 that will set the city on course for the half century ahead.“
These would take centre stage in a commemorative book of commitments to be unveiled as the city’s official memorial of its 50th anniversary.
Taylor’s suggestions for pledges ranged from a commitment by schools to strengthen the vocational offering to pupils; for employers to offer more work experience and apprenticeships; for landowners to open up waterfront land; and the local authority to invest in more public space.
And he also called on those involved in promoting Southampton events to work together, to take collective action and drive transformative change.
Taylor’s challenge was met with resounding applause, before the audience broke into eight different themed workshops. Topics included how to support innovation and technical advancement; developing a learning masterplan; encouraging inward investment to create economic growth; and promoting Southampton as a connected city.
Matthew Taylor
around big choices to be made; and a “window of opportunity“, the sense that something great could happen, but only if it is grabbed with both hands.
... suggestions for pledges ranged from a commitment by schools to strengthen the vocational offering to pupils; for employers to offer more work experience and apprenticeships; for landowners to open up waterfront land; and the local authority to invest in more public space
It is, he said, the latter that most applies to what happens next in Southampton: “Despite the quality of so much that happens in this city – from Premiership football and test matches to the boat show, from world-class university research to excellence in marine engineering – this is a city that rarely sets itself the aspiration of being the very best.
“In short, Southampton is a place that finds it hard to get excited about itself.“
What the city needs he said, is a combination of visionary and engaging leadership, individual aspiration, social and corporate responsibility, fun and self-belief and he challenged delegates to use the 50th anniversary as the “hook“ to start the journey.
“How about 50 commitments to mark 50 years?,“ he asked. “A process to mark Southampton’s
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – DECEMBER 13/JANUARY 14
www.businessmag.co.uk
All eight groups then had the opportunity to feed back their key ideas, which included better matching of graduates with work opportunities in SMEs; improving networking opportunities to encourage young entrepreneurs and graduates to stay in the city; better sharing of innovative and technical developments between businesses and the universities; and the need for a more collaborative approach, such as a city centre forum, to bring clarity and action to promoting the Southampton city brand.
Summing up, Professor Van Gore, vice-chancellor of the University, said Taylor’s speech had been “inspirational“.
It was, he said, important that Vision for 2020 is seen as a call to action and not simply a one- off event. Highlighting the university’s links with the business community, he challenged businesses to be at the heart of driving the city’s future prosperity through growth and more jobs.
Committing the university to act as a postbox for collecting ideas and co-ordinating discussions, he called on everyone to take collective action and “seize the opportunity“ to make a difference.
“Matthew has set us a challenge, so let’s go for those 50 pledges,“ he concluded. “What is there to lose? They give us a great focal point to celebrate the anniversary and we can achieve so much more if we get it right.“
Details:
www.solent.ac.uk
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