Business leaders will join forces next week to promote Solent Freeport and its new opportunities

Solent Freeport opened for business in January of this year with the potential to unlock billions of pounds worth of investment and thousands of new jobs for Hampshire.

Now the county’s Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the Institute of Directors to share the opportunities generated by this new development with a wider audience.

This May, the Village Hotel in Portsmouth is set to host speakers and panellists discussing what the Freeport means for business practically, how to access the support it provides, and how to engage with HMRC advice on funding.

They will also talk about developing the skills needed to build a strong workforce over the coming years.

Ross McNally, Executive Chair and Chief Executive of Hampshire Chamber, said: “Hampshire is a county with a diverse, innovative, and creative enterprise community.

Credit: Hampshire Chamber of Commerce

“The Freeport is a chance to both showcase this to the world and create confidence through secure, continued investment that business needs to thrive and grow.

“It is a major opportunity for the UK as it seeks to strengthen its global position and develop new trading relationships.

“Ensuring employers, employees and our communities across the Solent are aware of what this could mean for them is at the heart of the Chamber’s ambition for the Freeport development.”

The potential benefits are numerous: tax concessions, infrastructure incentives, a customs-free zone and government support, added IoD Hampshire Ambassador Peter Curnow-Ford, will all contribute to boosting area redevelopment and promote innovation across the county.

Solent Freeport Chairman Brian Johnson will be joined on the day by representatives from Hampshire County Council, Portico Shipping, Eastleigh College and Evelyn Partners to help break down many of these new opportunities.

The event runs from 10am to 1:30pm on Wednesday 24 May. Further details and the link to register can be found here.

Credit: Institute of Directors