In this special edition of the Let’s Talk South Coast podcast, recorded live at Greenways Business Park in Chippenham, host Nella Pang explores how place, people and infrastructure come together to support high-growth businesses across life sciences, cyber, defence and emerging technologies. This episode brings together voices from health innovation, cyber resilience and workspace development to unpack what ambitious SMEs really need to scale sustainably.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Supporting health and care innovators to commercialise ideas, access funding, and navigate NHS procurement with confidence.
• Why cyber resilience is becoming a core business function, and how collaboration and shared learning strengthen regional security.
• The growing demand for flexible, mixed-use spaces including wet labs, dry labs and adaptable offices that evolve with business growth.
• How connectivity, green environments and community-led campuses help attract and retain talent outside major city centres.

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• Health Innovation West of England
•  Business Cyber Centre (BCC)
•  Swindon and Wiltshire Business and Growth Hub
•  NHS England
•  Office for Life Sciences

Shoutouts:

• Health and care innovators tackling complex challenges and improving patient outcomes.
•  Cyber professionals building trusted networks to strengthen SME digital resilience.
•  Universities and spin-outs driving regional innovation across life sciences and tech.
•  Landlords and operators creating people-first environments where businesses can truly thrive.

About Our Contributors:

Alex Leach
Representative from Health Innovation West of England, supporting innovators to refine value propositions, access funding, and successfully scale solutions within the NHS.

Christina Avison
General Manager at the Business Cyber Centre (BCC), championing proactive cyber security, collaboration and accessible support for businesses across the M4 corridor and beyond.

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In this special feature of the Let’s Talk South Coast podcast, recorded live at Greenways Business Park in Chippenham, host Nella Pang is joined by a panel of experts to explore the practical opportunities and challenges for SMEs in 2025 and 2026. This episode moves beyond high-level headlines to discuss how businesses can foster resilience through talent development, technological adoption, and smart real-estate strategies.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Focusing on internal development through leadership training, AI adoption, and leveraging fully funded apprenticeships for young people.
• Moving from reactive to proactive security through the Business Cyber Centre and sharing challenges via the Swindon and Wiltshire Cyber Cluster.
• Technical strategies for converting traditional offices into "wet" or "dry" labs, focusing on ventilation standards and cost-effective design.
• Navigating the post-budget financial climate and interest rates while utilising the strategic transport links of the M4 corridor.

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• McFeggan Brown / Kastner
• Business Cyber Centre (BCC)
• Swindon and Wiltshire Business and Growth Hub
• Innovate UK
• National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
• Health and Innovation West of England

Shoutouts:

• Skills and growth units providing essential signposting and diagnostic support to help SMEs navigate the complex business landscape.
• Cyber professionals and clusters collaborating to share challenges and build stronger local digital resilience.
• Scientific innovators focusing on life-changing research while trusting expert partners to build the specialised infrastructure they need.
• Forward-thinking landlords who support business growth by offering flexible fit-out solutions and rentalised investment options.

About Our Panelists:

Mark Berrisford-Smith

A semi-retired independent economist and former Head of Economics at HSBC who provides "nuts and bolts" analysis of finance, debt management, and the UK's economic landscape.

Chris Stevens

The Head of Business Support at the Swindon and Wiltshire Business and Growth Unit who delivers economic development strategies and programs across the local authority areas.

Geoff Biggs

A laboratory specialist at McFeggan Brown and Kastner who provides expert advice on converting commercial assets into technical and scientific workspaces.

Christina Avison

The General Manager at the Business Cyber Centre (BCC) who advocates for proactive digital resilience and provides accessible security toolkits for growing businesses

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In this limited edition series in partnership with Greenways Business Park, this episode of Let’s Talk Greenways Business Park, host Nella Pang is joined by Mark Berrisford-Smith, former Head of Economics at HSBC, to cut through the headlines and unpack what the Autumn Budget really tells us about the UK economy. Together, they explore the realities behind debt, growth, taxation and confidence — and what it all means for businesses trying to plan, invest and grow in an uncertain climate.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• What the Autumn Budget reveals about the true state of the UK economy
• Why high public debt and low productivity continue to hold back growth
• The impact of tax burden, inflation and interest rates on consumer confidence
• Why recovery feels slow — and what’s preventing spending from bouncing back
• How global pressures, geopolitics and trade tensions affect UK outlooks
• The role of business investment in driving long-term economic recovery
• Why planning, skills, energy costs and infrastructure remain key constraints
• What businesses should realistically prepare for over the next few years

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• HSBC
• UK Government / HM Treasury
• Bank of England
• UK business and financial institutions
• International trade and global markets

Shoutouts:

• Business leaders navigating uncertainty with pragmatism and resilience
• Economists and analysts helping translate policy into real-world impact
• SMEs and organisations continuing to invest despite economic headwinds

About Our Guest:

Mark Bairus-Hissner
Former Head of Economics at HSBC, Mark brings decades of experience analysing global and UK economic trends. In this episode, he offers a grounded, honest assessment of the Autumn Budget and the structural challenges shaping the UK’s economic future.

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In this episode of Let’s Talk South Coast, we explore how space innovation, workforce development and placemaking are shaping the South Coast’s economic future. Nella is joined by Louise Butt from Space South Central; Professor David Hutchinson from the University of Portsmouth; and Marelize de Beurs, from Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council, to unpack what makes the region a compelling place to invest, work and build long-term growth.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Why the South Coast is one of the UK’s most established and fast-growing space clusters
• The infrastructure and real estate challenges facing micro-SMEs in high-growth sectors
• The role universities play in aligning skills, innovation and industry demand
• How degree apprenticeships and professional accreditation support workforce resilience
• What placemaking really means and why wellbeing matters
• How Basingstoke’s “invest in happiness” narrative supports inward investment
• Why the South Coast must communicate more confidently as a unified economic region

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• Space South Central Enterprise Network
• University of Portsmouth
• Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council
• Eli Lilly
• Sony
• South Coast space, marine and maritime sectors
• Local government and education partners across the Solent

Shoutouts:

• Micro-SMEs driving innovation across the South Coast
• Universities supporting skills, research and entrepreneurship
• Local authorities embedding wellbeing and quality of life into economic strategy
• Businesses collaborating across traditionally siloed sectors

About Our Guests:

Louise Butt
Director at Space South Central, supporting one of the UK’s most established space clusters. Louise works closely with industry, developers and local partners to ensure the region can support rapid growth across the space value chain.

Professor David Hutchinson
Professor at the University of Portsmouth, focused on skills, innovation and workforce development. David champions the “triple helix” model of collaboration between universities, industry and government to tackle shared economic and climate challenges.

Marelize de Beurs
Economy and Place Marketing Manager at Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council, leading an inward investment narrative centred on wellbeing, productivity and work-life balance. Marelize brings a people-first perspective to economic growth and place-based strategy.

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In episode five of our third series of Let’s Talk South Coast, host Nella Pang brings together senior leaders from across infrastructure, innovation, ports, space and higher education to explore how the region can unlock its full growth potential. Recorded live at the South Coast Commercial Property Show, this panel discussion focuses on the practical realities of infrastructure readiness, skills, energy and collaboration and what developers, investors and policymakers need to do next to deliver at scale.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Why the South Coast is at a tipping point for growth across advanced industries
• The infrastructure challenges holding back development, from grid capacity to energy costs
• How Freeports can provide long-term investor confidence and unlock strategic sites
• How space, maritime, digital and science clusters drive innovation when co-located
• The role of universities in future-proofing skills, talent pipelines and infrastructure
• Why apprenticeship levies, modular training and collaboration are critical to closing the skills gap

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• Solent Freeport
• Portsmouth International Port
• Space South Central Enterprise Network
• Southampton Science Park
• University of Portsmouth
• Partnership for South Hampshire
• National Energy Systems Operator
• South Coast Commercial Property Show
• Local authorities across Hampshire & the Solent

Shoutouts:

• The investors, developers and occupiers shaping the South Coast’s future
• The education providers aligning skills with real industry demand
• The organisations collaborating to unlock infrastructure, innovation and growth

About Our Guests:

Brian Johnson
Chair of Solent Freeport, leading major investment programmes and positioning the South Coast’s maritime economy for long-term global competitiveness.

Mike Sellers
Port Director at Portsmouth International Port, championing clean maritime innovation and the UK’s first multi-user, multi-berth shore power project.

Louise Butt
Director of Space South Central Enterprise Network, connecting one of the UK’s densest high-tech clusters across space, defence and digital sectors.

Robin Chave
CEO of Southampton Science Park, supporting start-ups and scale-ups through flexible workspace, collaboration and innovation-led development.

Professor David Hutchinson
Senior leader at the University of Portsmouth, aligning education, research and skills development with the future needs of industry.

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In episode three of our third series of Let’s Talk South Coast, host Nella Pang explores how environmental mitigation, strategic investment and smart development practices are shaping the future of the South Coast. She’s joined by Rachel Jones from the Solent Mitigation Partnership, investor Dave Foster,  and Lee Merrifield from MSP Capital; for a wide-ranging conversation about unlocking sites, overcoming constraints, and delivering sustainable growth across the region.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• What’s actually happening on the ground in commercial development
• Funding pressures, investor sentiment and changing lending appetites
• The shift towards sustainable, place-led regeneration
• And why great delivery still comes down to strong relationships

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• Solent Mitigation Partnership / Partnership for South Hampshire
• Craigard
• MSP Capital
• Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
• Environment Agency
• Local authorities across the Solent
• South Coast Commercial Property Show
• Various South Coast developers and planning authorities

Shoutouts:

• The collaboration between councils, regulators and environmental partners supporting sustainable growth
• Landowners enabling nutrient mitigation and habitat restoration projects
• Investors and developers working to unlock supply across the region

About Our Guests:

Rachel Jones
Solent Mitigation Partnership Manager at the Partnership for South Hampshire, leading strategic environmental mitigation projects that enable development while protecting the Solent’s internationally important habitats.

Dave Foster
Managing Director at Craigard, a specialist investment and asset management company transforming underperforming assets into resilient, income-generating properties across the region.

Lee Merrifield
Commercial Director at MSP Capital, offering expert insight into development finance, viability pressures and the funding challenges shaping which projects can progress.

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In episode two of our third series of Let’s Talk South Coast, host Nella Pang explores two powerful forces shaping the region’s future: devolution and the role of universities in driving economic growth. Recorded live at the South Coast Commercial Property Show, Nella is joined first by Megan Carter, a leading voice in regional governance and devolution, and then by Professor Mark Smith, Vice Chancellor of the University of Southampton. 

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Devolution and the role of a future Mayor Elect
• How political change could reshape priorities, funding and opportunity
• Why the South Coast must find its collective voice
• What the next generation of talent is really looking for
• The widening skills gap — and the solutions already on the table
• How workplace culture can attract (or repel) the people we need
• What the “future surveyor” might look like by 2030

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• University of Southampton
• Southampton Renaissance Board
• Southampton Science Park
• Morgan Sindall (Apprenticeship Levy discussion)
• Portsmouth University (Triple Helix reference)
• Local authorities across Hampshire & the Solent
• South Coast Commercial Property Show
• Various regional investors, occupiers and developers

Shoutouts:

• The businesses and public-sector leaders shaping the South Coast’s future
• The candidates standing for the new mayoral role
• The students, researchers and entrepreneurs driving innovation across the region

About Our Guests:

Megan Carter
A leading figure in regional governance, specialising in devolution, place leadership and long-term investment strategy. Megan champions the importance of local decision-making, strategic collaboration and creating a coherent identity for the Hampshire & Solent region.

Professor Mark Smith
Vice Chancellor of the University of Southampton and member of the Southampton Renaissance Board. Mark is driving the university’s Triple Helix Strategy, supporting graduate skills, entrepreneurship, research commercialisation and the development of world-class innovation ecosystems.

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In episode one of our third series of Let’s Talk South Coast, host Nella Pang takes us inside this year’s record-breaking South Coast Commercial Property Show, a day of big ideas, bold collaboration and sector-shaping conversations with Lucy Richmond, the founder of the South Coast CPS Show; Mike Sellers, Port Director at Portsmouth International Port; and Ben Jones from Pagabo, headline sponsors of this year's event.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• How the South Coast Commercial Property Show has grown into the region’s largest property conference
• Why cross-sector collaboration is accelerating opportunities across the South Coast
• The role of purpose-driven events in creating a united regional identity
• How ambitious decarbonisation projects like shore power are reshaping UK maritime infrastructure
• The challenges of grid capacity, energy demand and electrifying complex operations
• Why outcome-led procurement is key to delivering faster, smarter and more sustainable projects
• The opportunities emerging across infrastructure, space, universities and marine industries
• How social value is being embedded into projects to deliver genuine, lasting community impact

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• Portsmouth International Port
• Brittany Ferries
• Department for Transport
• Innovate UK
• Southampton Football Club / St Mary’s Stadium
• University of Southampton
• Pagabo
• Morgan Sindall
• British Ports Association
• Portsmouth City Council

Shoutouts:

• The 122 speakers across this year’s show
• The sponsors and exhibitors who brought the energy
• The South Coast business, public sector and education communities for showing up, loudly and collaboratively

About Our Guests:

Lucy
Founder and organiser of the South Coast Commercial Property Show, championing collaboration, regional pride and accessible, purpose-driven events.

Mike Sellers
Port Director at Portsmouth International Port and member of the British Ports Association Council, leading the UK's most innovative port-led decarbonisation projects.

Ben Jones
Regional Manager at Pagabo, specialists in modern, flexible and socially responsible procurement frameworks across the UK.

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In episode nine of our second series of Let’s Talk South Coast, our host Nella Pang is joined by Andy Tourell, Head of Sustainable Logistics at Ocean Infinity

What you’ll hear about in this episode: 

• Who Ocean Infinity are and what they do
• The ESG targets they have set themselves on decarbonisation
• The projects they have been involved in since pioneering the use of autonomous underwater vehicles
• The fleet of unmanned surface vessels they are currently building and what this means for the future of remote survey operations
• The driver behind reducing the number of people needed to work offshore
• How the technology they are developing has to be able to deliver the services the client wants in order to be sustainable
• How they are building a ship for a clean fuel system that does not yet exist
• Why Ocean Infinity decided to base themselves in Southampton

Companies Mentioned:

• Shackleton’s Endurance
• Seabed 2030
• Future of Work Summit
• National Oceanographic Centre
• Sky Band Rescuer
• Department of Transport, Innovate UK Project
• Code 9 Security

Shoutouts:

• Steve Szalay
• Charlotte Elkins

Key Insights From This Episode:

• We specialise in the development and deployment of innovative tech. And ultimately what we're looking to do is to transform the maritime industry to enable the people and planet to thrive. - Andy
• We have signed the climate pledge, to be net zero by 2040, 10 years ahead of the general target of 2050. - Andy
• We are currently building the world's largest fleet of unmanned surface vessels, and that's the largest fleet in terms of size of the vessel and in the number of vessels. - Andy
• We've committed to remote survey operations from day one, the technology exists to go totally unmanned.  But what we need to do, and what we are doing is working very closely with regulators to work towards that transition to complete unmanned operations for that size of vessel. - Andy
• We think that most, if not all activities offshore can be made cleaner, more efficient and/or safer through the deployment of robotics. - Andy

About Our Guest:

Andy is Head of Sustainable Logistics at Ocean Infinity, he is also Sustainability Commission Member at the British Triathlon Federation,

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In episode eight of our second series of Let’s Talk South Coast, our host Nella Pang is joined by ChatGPT to talk about the impact AI and new technologies are having on the future of work and what businesses, government and educators can do to ensure no one is left behind.

What you’ll hear about in this episode: 

• The impact AI is having on the world of work
• How companies are leveraging AI
• The importance of upskilling within an ever changing market
• How companies can benefit from the adoption of AI and other technologies
• Different initiatives that can ensure people have the skills they need to succeed in the job market
• How educators and businesses can collaborate on upskilling the current and future workforce

Companies Mentioned:

• Speechify
• Ocean Infinity
• Future of Work Summit
• Southampton City Council
• NetZero Group
• Carswell Gould
• Otta
• International Women’s Day
• FI Real Estate Management

Key Insights From This Episode:

• AI technology is automating many manual and repetitive tasks leading to job displacement in some areas. However, it's also creating new job opportunities such as data analysis and AI development. - ChatGPT
• By adopting AI and other new technologies, companies can stay ahead of the competition and tap into new business opportunities. - ChatGPT
• My take is that AI won't replace humans, but humans that don't embrace technology are likely to be left behind. - Nella
• We've already started to make headways bringing key businesses as well as social enterprise together. So watch this space. - Nella

Shout outs:

• Andy Tourrell
• Alan Wilson
• Ed Gould

About Our Guest:

Chat GPT is an advanced AI Chatbot.

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• Twitter @omega_renews
• Instagram @omegare.re
• Facebook @omegare6 

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