Success as Portsmouth Chamber of Solutions holds its first seminars - and announces plans for more

Business experts from Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Shaping Portsmouth, Solent LEP and Mission Performance have joined together to start Portsmouth Chamber of Solutions - a partnership to support businesses and entrepreneurs in Portsmouth and South East Hampshire.

The initiative was originally set up as a response to the economic impact of Covid-19 but as its popularity has grown, there are hopes that it will continue for many more months.

There have been two virtual meetings held so far, with the first focusing on start-ups and the second, held on Tuesday, looking at ways people can grow their businesses.

The third meeting is due to be held on Tuesday, August 25 and will look at business growth.

Phil Marshall, from Shaping Portsmouth, said the events have proved so popular that a further three dates have been added.

He said: ‘Attendance has been growing, we now have 50 businesses participating. It has been great, our events are free and you can speak to experts.

‘It is hard at the moment but we are here to help in whatever way we can. Feedback from the first two events has been superb. People want to be involved, businesses want to be involved. It is all for the greater good of Portsmouth.’

The next events will be: Starting My Own Business – Practical Steps in the Journey on Tuesday September 8, Developing Skills for Business Success on Tuesday, September 22 and Creatively Growing Your Business on Tuesday, October 6.

Phil added: ‘We want people to join us, whether they are running large companies or just starting out. It is free and advantageous to them. We are in it for the long term. It is about coming together under the Chamber of Solutions to provide networking sessions and put some positivity out there.’

The next event, Chamber of Solutions for Start-Ups and for Business Growth, will be held on Tuesday, August 25.

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Rob Lewis of Mission Performance will chair the event. He will be joined by a panel of specialists including: Chris Adams from Radian, Steve Jones from Skills for Business Training, Emma Wilson from JCI UK, Guy Robinson from Xebra Accounting, Caroline Collings from Solent Business Academy and Caroline Carter from Barclays.

The event will be hosted via Zoom. To register your interest go to eventbrite.co.uk/o/hampshire-chamber-of-commerce-7043633697

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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