What the F* Is The Opportunity? All About The Solent *Freeport with Brian Johnson and Tim Williamson

Let's Talk South Coast Podcast

Summary: In the 6th episode of Let’s Talk South Coast, Nella is joined by Brian Johnson, UK Business Development Director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, Chair of Solent LEP and Chair of Solent Freeport Consortium, and Tim Williamson, Managing Associate at Foot Anstey LLP. In this episode they dive into the Solent Freeport opportunity. The Solent Freeport will unlock billions of pounds’ worth of investment, create tens of thousands of new jobs and level up the important coastal communities on the South Coast. They discuss how the Solent Freeport can compete globally and whether there are any social and environmental impacts from the new Freeport. The key takeaway from this episode is that the Solent Freeport is looking for suitable, sustainable and high-quality investment that the South Coast can provide the skills for.

Resources:

• Omega RE website
• Foot Anstey LLP
• Solent LEP
• Solent Freeport Consortium

Companies Mentioned:

• Dunsbury Park
• Central South

Shout Outs:

• Rishi Sunak, British politician

Key Insights From This Episode:

• Our region is a gateway region to the UK. - Brian
• We need to up-skill our local workforce to be doing high quality jobs in the Freeport. - Brian
• With the business race, ultimately that money goes back into our councils and they can regenerate certain areas that are required in order to retain the talent on our doorstep. - Nella
• The Solent has a track record in translating innovation and new technologies into commercial success. - Nella
• It is not a wild west in the freeport. - Tim
• What the Solent Freeport is looking for is suitable, sustainable and high-quality investment that we can provide the skills for. - Brian
• There are oblique benefits for the broader business community such as an opportunity to come together, to be really galvanised, to share ideas and to discuss ideas. - Tim
• The spirit of cooperation for the region is what's made our application work in government. - Brian
• The growth agenda and a green agenda are intertwined therefore businesses want investment that can be made in a sustainable way. - Tim
• The Solent Freeport is the UKs most important gateway to Europe and the global markets. It provides the closest direct access to over 70 ports globally and is a major opportunity for the UK as it seeks to develop new trading relationships. - Nella

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