With its strong roots in the Portsmouth region, law firm Blake Morgan‘s Managing Director, Mike Wilson, explains why the firm is a long term supporter of Portsmouth and why he believes the City is so well placed to come out of the Covid crisis stronger than before the pandemic.
With a large number of business connections in the City, Blake Morgan LLP has been a Patron of Shaping Portsmouth for many years, with involvement in its Business and Enterprise, Leadership and Patrons Groups. We recognise the need to bring the business community together for the greater good of the City, and the key part that Shaping plays in championing this.
Working with the Southern Policy Centre, and with much involvement from Portsmouth City Council, businesses and residents, our recent report on the future of the Central South’s city centres highlighted Portsmouth as a forward-thinking entrepreneurial city with a strong community which is proud to live and work here.
This is backed up by reports from the think tank, Centre for Cities, which consistently highlight Portsmouth as a UK city with a particular strength in business innovation, skills and infrastructure – all the qualities required to grow and thrive – with the think tank’s high street recovery tracker showing a strong recovery for Portsmouth.
That’s not to say that everything has been buoyant- far from it. Like many cities across the UK, arts and cultural organisations, charities and businesses alike have suffered greatly. We are very aware of the huge importance that culture has for the city’s community, and we’ve been helping various organisations such as the New Theatre Royal (NTR), work with Portsmouth City Council to ensure it is in a position to thrive when its doors open again.
We’ve also seen many other organisations we support, such as United Services Portsmouth Rugby Club, Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust, Solent NHS Trust and local churches and church organisations, along with international organisations, go through some challenging times. That’s why it was so heart-warming to see so many worthy nominees, who brought kindness and care to others during the pandemic, for Portsmouth Cathedral and Pompey Heroes 2020 just before Christmas.
With the armed forces and naval heritage being such a key part of the City, it’s no surprise that the many individuals and businesses we work with are connected in one way or another, including our own lawyers amongst whom we have a number of ex-service personnel, such as Partner of the firm, Tim Forer. To support this vital community of former and serving service personnel and reserves, and their families, particularly in these times, Blake Morgan LLP has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, offering a range of discounts and advice covering all areas of the law including family and business needs.
It is more often than not this community that exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurialism, beginning second careers in a city which welcomes innovation and start-up culture.
Blake Morgan’s own roots are tied to this city and we are extremely proud to support it through our involvement with Shaping Portsmouth and the many other organisations we are a part of.
