Partners gather for our exclusive networking event
Earlier this month, our Partners Only Networking Event at The Portsmouth Grammar School was a night to remember. We celebrated our ever-growing partner network and reflected on how strong and supportive our community truly is. A key highlight of the evening was announcing that we have generated £500,000 in social value since January 2025; a […]
Looking at historical mental health on our Walk & Talk
Our July Mental Health Walk & Talk in Old Portsmouth, led by the brilliant John Grant from Solent Original Walks, was a powerful blend of local history and mental health awareness. We wandered past iconic Portsmouth landmarks like the Horatio Nelson Statue, the Royal Garrison Church, Governor’s Green and The Dolphin pub (Portsmouth’s oldest pub!). […]
Episode 67: BH Live
CEO Dave Humphries speaks to Rob Cunningham, Leisure & Business Development Director at BH Live, about how he got into the Leisure industry, BH Live’s work in Portsmouth and the South Coast, redeveloping the Pyramids and Mountbatten, and how the charity helps residents lead a healthy lifestyle.
Announcing our new Member: First Steps First Aid
The Shaping Team are pleased to welcome First Steps First Aid as our newest Member. First Steps First Aid Ltd delivers accredited and engaging Paramedic-led first aid and compliance training across the south coast, and is also leading our Workplace Health & Wellbeing programme’s Business First Aid Training sessions. Jack Boaden, Co-Founder of First Steps […]
Episode 68: Royal Maritime Hotel
In this episode, CEO Dave Humphries speaks to David Knight, CEO of the Royal Maritime Hotel, about his career in hospitality, the Hotel’s charity status and work supporting Veterans and the Armed Forces Community, the history of the hotel, the services they currently provide, and their partnerships around Portsmouth.
Episode 69: Talent Included
In this episode, CEO Dave Humphries speaks to Sally Spicer, Co-Founder of Talent Included, about working in Recruitment, founding Talent Included with Natalie Clark, the importance of EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion), and how Portsmouth Businesses can help and benefit.
Episode 71: Portsmouth Creates
Dave Humphries talks to Gemma Nichols, CEO of Portsmouth Creates, about her history working in Culture and how it led her to Portsmouth, joining Portsmouth Creates, and her passion for supporting the creative sector. They also discuss some of the projects Portsmouth Creates has been running, the variety of creative industries they support, and the impact they’ve had across the city.
Episode 72: Love Southsea
Dave Humphries has a chaotic chat with Lulu Whitmore, founder of Love Southsea, about growing up in Portsmouth, the origins and growth of the Love Southsea Market, the Love Portsmouth pop up shop in Gunwharf Quays, and her plans for what’s coming next.
A new collaboration launches The Marketing Agency
One of the most frequent requests for support we get from businesses approaching Portsmouth Business Support Service is around marketing. So, we are excited to say we have now signed an agreement to set up a new collaboration between Portsmouth City Council, the University of Portsmouth and ourselves to help local small businesses. We’re working […]
Episode 73: Odigo Driving School
Dave Humphries talks to Steve Squires, founder of Odigo Driving School, about the switch from history teacher to starting a driving school, running a local small business, his work with Models for Heroes, and some scary driving moments.