Portsmouth & South Coast Business Week (PSCBW) – a week-long festival of free business activities – proved to be our best yet thanks to the support of our partners, sponsors and over 1,000 attendees who attended 22 events throughout the week.
The week began with a fantastic launch at the stunning Queens Hotel, Portsmouth, where we were honoured to welcome the Lord Mayor, as well as inspiring words from our CEO/Chairman, Ross McNally, and Aaron Butson from Havant and South Downs College. We were also privileged to hear from David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, whose keynote presentation received outstanding feedback.
The Open Doors Day saw businesses taking a bus tour to get a behind-the-scenes look at a range of interesting and innovative organisations across the Solent. As part of the free business activities on offer, attendees, supporters and sponsors visited the incredible networking event at the Mary Rose Museum, daily Facebook Live sessions, LinkedIn Local, and the Isle of Wight Networking Morning hosted by Wightlink Ferries. The week truly had something for everyone -with many events selling out well in advance and demand for tickets proving exceptionally high.
Ross McNally Chief Executive of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce said of the event, “It was great to see so many businesses and stakeholders coming together across nearly two dozen events during Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week. The growing success of this celebration of enterprise has proven beyond doubt that despite a tough economic climate our business community is looking to build new relationships, understand future skills, shape strategies and drive sales. We reached out across the region, addressed a range of sectors, and heard brilliant insights from first rate speakers. Above all it was great fun. And we are already planning for 2026, so we want to hear about new ideas and initiatives”.
Aaron Butson, Assistant Principal for Work-Based Learning at Havant and South Downs College and one of the chief organisers of the week, said: “I truly believe that PSCBW 2025 was our best year yet! I always say that the week is based on our four ‘I’s’ – Invest inform inspire and interact. This year, interact was a big one. With more than 1,000 people attending events, it was great to see them all learning from each other, inspiring each other, and interacting with each other. This is what this week is all about. Additionally, with our 6 business sponsors as well as our many civic sponsors, it shows how there is an appetite amongst organisations to invest in the Solent region.”
If your business would like to get involved with next year’s PSCBW, please keep an eye on the dedicated website: portsmouth.southcoastbusinessweek.co.uk and on our social media platforms.
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is the independent voice of local business across the county and one of the largest regional business networks in the UK. With a strategic vision to ‘unlock Hampshire’s potential’, Hampshire Chamber brings together the combined influence, strength and expertise of the county’s three former major chambers. It works with over 2,000 individual firms spanning all sectors and sizes of business. Member services include training, advice, international trade documentation, events, networking opportunities and lobbying to policymakers on issues affecting business. Hampshire Chamber’s business network is designed to help any employer to grow and thrive irrespective of their stage on the enterprise journey.