Businesses across the Solent region have the opportunity to spell out exactly what sort of support – including grants – they require to drive growth.

Solent Freeport is staging a series of five sector focus groups next month with businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight invited to take part.

The two-hour facilitated sessions will be held at the Hilton Utilita Bowl in Southampton, looking at skills, international trade, innovation, decarbonisation and business growth. Each session will focus on a key sector in the Solent region – space, maritime, defence, life sciences and clean energy.

The sessions will be facilitated by specialist organisations, including Innovate UK and Maritime UK Solent, and also Professor Doug Liddle, the Chair of UK Space.

Brian Johnson, chair of Solent Freeport, said:

“As an organisation dedicated to driving growth and prosperity across the region, it is imperative that we know what tailored support would be most beneficial to our businesses."

“These sessions will help us deliver that support where it is needed most and in the form that is the most beneficial to accelerate innovation and growth and encourage investment. This could well be in the form of grants, so we need to know what level of grant schemes would be desired and what types of activity would that funding most benefit."

“It may be that businesses are interesting in starting or expanding existing exporting journeys and need support to execute their plans. Our specialists have vast experience in the sector and can help open pathways towards international partnerships.”

The sessions for particular sectors are running on these dates

Tuesday 11 November, 10am-12pm – LIFE SCIENCES

Tuesday 11 November, 1pm-3pm – DEFENCE

Wednesday 12 November 10am - 12pm – CLEAN ENERGY

Tuesday 18 November 10am-12pm – SPACE

Tuesday 18 November 1pm-3pm – MARITIME