Business leaders have pledged to work alongside the winner of next year’s Hampshire and Solent mayoral vote to champion the region’s ‘huge potential’.

The promise was made at SOGROW, a business symposium that brought around 150 decision makers together to discuss and shape Southampton’s place in the regional economy.

Held in The Spark Building at Southampton Solent University, the one-day SOGROW was organised by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce in association with creative marketing agency Carswell Gould.

Partner organisations providing input included Southampton City Council, the Southampton Renaissance Board, Solent Growth Partnership, Venturefest South, ABP and Business South. Keynote speaker was Andy Haldane, a former Chief Economist at the Bank of England who served two three-year terms on the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, the body that sets the official bank base rate in the UK.

Now Chief Economic Advisor for PwC, the multinational professional services network, Andy described the forthcoming regional devolution as a ‘once in a generation opportunity to craft a local plan and industrial strategy at real scale’. He said:

“The Mayor will be a strategic leader who can operate at scale, and businesses need to seize the opportunity to achieve the inclusive growth devolution can bring to progress the Hampshire and Solent economy. There is huge potential in this region. My message to business is to think big and think bold, get behind devolution and tell a story that is distinctive. That will be the wellspring of growth and jobs.”

Andy comments were echoed by Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chairman of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, and Mandy Boughton, Chamber President. Ross said:

“The inaugural SOGROW was a landmark moment for Southampton and its business community. It was about more than discussion; it was about shaping the future of our city through shared ambition, bold ideas and practical collaboration."

“SOGROW brought together the voices that matter - leaders from business, education, public life and community - to explore how we grow sustainably, inclusively and with purpose. Let’s seize the opportunity to connect and grow together. Southampton’s next chapter starts here.’

In her closing address to attendees, Mandy said:

“Let’s take the spirit of SOGROW and carry it into our boardrooms and places of work. Southampton’s future will be built by businesses working in partnership. We must keep growing, keep collaborating.”

As well as the presentations by Andy, Ross and Mandy, SOGROW featured talks from Ed Gould, Creative Director at Carswell Gould; James Knowles, Vice-Chancellor of Southampton Solent University; Councillor Alex Winning, leader of Southampton City Council; Professor Mark E Smith, Chair of Southampton Renaissance Board; Kate Beal-Blyth, Founder and Chief Executive of Woodcut Media; and Jane Grattan, Deputy Director of Public Policy at British Chambers of Commerce.

The day included small-group breakout sessions on themes such as low-carbon growth, innovation, connectivity, community and skills.

A dedicated session on business needs and expectations in relation to devolution was hosted by Peter Taylor, Senior Partner at law firm Paris Smith and a past President of Hampshire Chamber. Contributors included: Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council; Mark Downer, Chief Executive of Griffon Marine; Claire Whitaker CBE, Chief Executive of Southampton Forward; Stephen Haynes, Executive Director for Growth & Prosperity at Southampton City Council; and Will Smith, Partner at KPMG.

Photo: Andy Haldane, right, former Chief Economist at the Bank of England, was keynote speaker at SOGROW. With him in The Spark Building at Southampton Solent University are Mandy Boughton, Hampshire Chamber’s President, and Ross McNally, its Chief Executive and Executive Chairman.