Exciting month for Shaping Portsmouth with a new Finance Director and crowdfunding for Home & Gift shop in Southsea

As well as welcoming new Finance Director Sam Singleton and a new partnership with Vespasian Security, Shaping Portsmouth has seen some exciting new business proposals for the city this April.

Shaping Portsmouth, Portsmouth City Council and Crowdfunder together provide a crowdfunding platform for people and organisations in the Portsmouth area to raise money in support of business ideas or community-based projects that benefit the local economy.

Shaping Portsmouth is supported by over 60 businesses and over 150 active volunteers. Ten of these volunteers are the Non-Executive Directors that sit on the Board and give their time passionately and freely to help shape the future of Portsmouth.

In early April, Shaping Portsmouth announced Sam Singleton, Head of Finance at the Guildhall Trust, as the newest member of the Board, taking on the role of Finance Director.

Sam is a 6-year post-qualified management accountant with a specialist Masters in the Charity sector, which had a significant focus on social impact.

He currently sits as a Treasurer for HomeStart Arun, Worthing and Adur a Children’s charity that has a vast volunteer network.

Sam said “I’m really excited to be joining a diverse and experienced team of Non-Executive Directors at Shaping Portsmouth.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for me to bring my Charitable and Financial background to the team and I hope I can contribute to the social impact the organisation makes on a day-to-day basis.”

Heather Walters-Pierce

Shaping Portsmouth is currently supporting multiple projects currently Crowdfunding in Portsmouth, including a Home & Gift shop in Southsea, a second location for a local restaurant, a professional in-house studio and a Portsmouth-based board game.

Heather Walters-Pierce is aiming to raise £10,000 to open a much-needed Home & Gift shop in Southsea, which will incorporate her existing business of Leather Heather Crafts.

Heather says, “Along with everyone else in the community, we felt the huge loss of Knight & Lee ( John Lewis) and Debenhams in Southsea.

“We missed shopping! Somewhere to buy a cushion, a vase or a lamp. So, we got to thinking, what about a new independent home & gift Shop?”

Southsea Studio, Spott and Herbert and Lynton Candles from Love Southsea Markets will be added to their stock, to provide a wide selection of local goods.

The Interior Port Credit: Heather Walters-Pierce