Regional growth highlighted at eagerly awaited 2016 Solent
Business Awards
Hopes and expectations were high after the impressive inaugural 2015 Solent Business Awards, and there was no anti-climax at this year’s prestigious celebratory evening, again staged at The Hilton at the Ageas Bowl
In fact, regional growth, talent, investment and success were even more in evidence, as awards host and publisher of The Business Magazine, David Murray highlighted.
“Last year at these awards, I talked about the new optimism and confidence in the Solent region. A year on, I believe this positivity has grown, despite the Brexit vote, and that the cranes and development boards seen when you walk around Southampton, for instance, symbolise the investment this region is now experiencing.”
Southampton, Murray noted, was experiencing annual growth in output just below London’s and ahead of Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds and Liverpool.
The region’s vibrant nature was further identified by Murray as he mentioned Bournemouth “now earning a global reputation as a centre of digital activity and creative businesses,” and an article in The Guardian saying “Forget Silicon Valley, Bournemouth has found its mojo.”
“Unloved Basingstoke is shaking off its image and being reinvented, with £4 billion investment, to create a vibrant town attracting global brands and building thousands of new homes.
“And Portsmouth. A £900m investment is transforming the city, especially at Tipner West and Horsea Island – plus the exciting marine and maritime tech that’s being developed in Portsmouth, epitomised by Land Rover BAR’s Americas Cup team.
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“We are in a significant phase in this region’s growth. And so it seems entirely appropriate that these Solent Business Awards are also growing – with more sponsors, categories and finalists.
“Together with the successful and inspiring companies and organisations represented by 270 people in this room tonight, we will be celebrating and championing the very best of business on the south coast – from Poole and Weymouth in the west to Chichester in the east.”
Murray then thanked the Solent Business Awards sponsors – KPMG, NatWest, Pitmans, James Cowper Kreston, Taylor Made Computer Solutions, and STR Group – acknowledged support by the CBI, and praised the judging panel for their rigorous and conscientious approach to their all-important business assessment role.
With seven winning companies making news headlines on the night, Murray also announced how fitting it was to have two renowned newscasters attending to help present the awards – celebrated television and radio broadcaster, journalist and novelist Gavin Esler as keynote speaker, and regular BBC South Today television presenter Sally Taylor, MBE.
Gavin Esler told the audience that, as successful businesses, they all had a story to tell. It was important to get a clear message across about your company, he said, and being an awards finalist helped with positive promotion.
Having interviewed and observed leading politicians across the world – from Ronald Reagan to Bill Clinton – Esler said the best were great communicators, able to engage with their audiences on many levels. Business people could learn lessons from this.
The Solent Business Awards chosen charity for the evening was Naomi House & Jacksplace and donations from the dining tables raised £3,000.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH COAST – NOVEMBER 2016
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