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news opinion


Two boxes, one ‘X’ – and this month is all about where to put it ...


With less than a month to go at the time of going to print, many leaders are still unclear on how leaving or staying in the EU will affect their businesses.


The Electoral Commission’s Voting Guide offers a few words from each side, including these: “EU membership adds up to £91 billion a year to the UK economy – meaning more money to invest in the NHS,” and: “The EU costs us £350 million a week. Let’s take back control and spend our money on our priorities like our NHS.”


So it’s no wonder really. It seems to me that referendums can be a risky business. When voters don’t sufficiently understand the pros and cons, then surely government representation is a better form of democracy?


Brexit aside, the last month has been a model of progress, development and inspiration.


David Cameron is to introduce a new corporate offence for executives who fail to prevent fraud or money laundering in their companies; and the Bank of England has voted unanimously to keep interest rates at their current level.


Britain’s car industry has welcomed a new Bill to help ensure the UK is at the forefront of driverless technology; and in sport, underdog Leicester City’s triumph has been cause for celebration and inspiration.


Halifax has raised the maximum age limit for its mortgages to 80; and just a week later Nationwide trumped this by lifting its limit to 85, the highest of any major lender.


And in property, the finalists have been announced in the inaugural South Coast Property Awards (see page 30). The winners will be celebrated on July 7 at a celebration of the region’s own progress and development, and we hope you can join us.


Carry de la Harpe Editor


businessmag.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH COAST – JUNE 2016


City becomes official home of Royal Caribbean


As Harmony of Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s latest ship and the world’s largest, arrived in Southampton last month, the cruise line announced a seven-year deal with the port of Southampton, worth £200 million to the local economy.


The deal was announced by the global cruise line’s strategic operation officer, Mike Jones, and the managing director of UK and Ireland, Stuart Leven, at the official Plaques and Keys ceremony onboard the ship.


It secures Southampton’s City Cruise Terminal as the official UK home of Royal Caribbean International along with £5.5m worth of investment from the holiday company.


The investment has so far enabled Associated British Ports (ABP), owner and operator of the Southampton port, to prepare the terminal for a new generation of ships heralded by the arrival of the latest addition to Royal Caribbean’s 25-strong-fleet.


From left: Alastair Welch, director, ABP Southampton; Mike Jones, strategic opperations officer, RCCL; James Cooper, CEO, ABP; Gus Andersson, captain, Harmony of the Seas


ABP Southampton is Europe's leading turnaround cruise port and can welcome even the biggest ships in the world. Thirty seven metres longer than the Eiffel Tower is high, Harmony of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship at 227,000 gross registered tonnes in weight. Such record-breaking proportions have also necessitated the expansion of the port’s processing area.


ABP Southampton director Alastair Welch said: “We are


delighted to confirm that the port of Southampton will be the official UK home of Royal Caribbean until 2023. This deal will secure the port’s reputation as the UK’s number one and leading European turnaround port long into the future. Equally, it is great news for the UK economy, and the landmark deal can only increase the significant contribution cruise makes to the 15,000 jobs and £1 billion economic contribution of the port.”


NEXT MONTH In the July/August issue of The Business Magazine


Southampton: Vibrant City A centre in transformation Solent Deals Awards Photos and full details of winners and finalists Solent SME 100 Growth Index The 2016 listing by turnover growth International Trade Cross-border transactions post-referendum Pensions & Auto-enrolment Where are we now? Intellectual Property How companies are making their mark


To participate in these features email Peter Laurie at peter@elcot.co.uk or Frank Trivino at frank@elcot.co.uk


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