The South Coast's week-long celebration of our business community is back, providing free business events throughout Portsmouth and the region.
Portsmouth South Coast Business Week (PSCBW) runs from 24 to 28 February offering a wide range of inspiring events, with the chance to interact with like-minded businesses, learn about latest business thinking and develop potential investment opportunities.
The annual event has gone from strength to strength since it began in 2021, starting as just a series of online meetings. It now spans a comprehensive and accessible blend of in-person events at venues across the region coupled with a strong, highly interactive virtual programme.
The last three years have seen more than 3,000 delegates attend over 100 events and open-door sessions and reach more than 30,000 individuals through daily Facebook Live videos.
There will be talks and discussions around the property market, employment Law, accessing funding, and creativity and culture, a Business Expo, networking on the Mary Rose, and a 'Open Door' bus taking delegates to Businesses like Percussion Play, Airbus, and Love Portsmouth for tours of these businesses.
As the University 'for' Portsmouth, we are committed to celebrating Portsmouth's unique strengths and heritage as a city; championing our shared interests, supporting economic growth and making the city a destination of choice for people to live, work, visit, and (of course) study.
Dr Dominic Page, Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Law
Dr Dominic Page , Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Law, said: "As the University 'for' Portsmouth, we are committed to celebrating Portsmouth's unique strengths and heritage as a city; championing our shared interests, supporting economic growth and making the city a destination of choice for people to live, work, visit, and (of course) study.
"The Business Week is the perfect opportunity for us to support and engage with our local business community. We work with businesses from all sectors , large or small, to find out more about their challenges, and identify opportunities where we can use our world-leading research and expertise to help.
"We already work closely with businesses through our Student Placements and Degree Apprenticeship programmes, and services such as our free Business Consultancy Projects , Architectural Consultancy , and General Legal Advice Clinic .
"However, we're always keen to find new ways to work collaboratively to positively enrich the economic, social and cultural life in the city and our region."
The University of Portsmouth are involved in a number of events this year, including:
- Tuesday 8.30am, Facebook Live session - Dr Dominic Page , Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Law will join others from the local business community.
- Tuesday 9.30am-3.30pm, Thriving Together 2 - Students will be taking the General Legal Advice Clinic to Fareham to give advice to individuals and business.
- Wednesday 12.00-2.00pm, Get Set for Financial Success Innovation Connect and Barclays Eagle Labs will be hosting a workshop giving financial advice for start-ups.
- Thursday 09.30am-3.00pm, Fareham Business Expo - representatives from the Degree Apprenticeship team, Careers and Employability, and Business Support Programmes Office will be in attendance to give advice and guidance.
- Friday 10.00am-12.00, Alternative Recruitment - Hosted by Havant Borough Council, this event will feature an Economic Impact Assessment carried out by the University which reports on the success of a scheme to get vulnerable young adults into the workplace.
Now is the ideal time for local businesses, especially our SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), to come together for mutual support, find solutions to the economic challenges we face and go for growth.
Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber's Chief Executive and Executive Chairman
Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber's Chief Executive and Executive Chairman, said: "Now is the ideal time for local businesses, especially our SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), to come together for mutual support, find solutions to the economic challenges we face and go for growth.
"That's exactly the focus of the week. We offer a well-designed, interactive programme of events celebrating and championing the potential of businesses in all sectors across our region - and it's all free. If you want to explore funding advice, discover the latest thinking on technology and business practice, be inspired by fellow entrepreneurs and engage with skills and training providers, this is your chance."
