Episode 54: Victorious Festival

Steff Jones talks to Tiff Gaskell and Shola Hood from Victorious Festival about how the festival has grown over the years, how they came to be working in their roles, the challenges and impact of the event on the city, and what’s coming up at the festival this summer.

Frank HR Solutions partners with Shaping Portsmouth

Shaping Portsmouth are pleased to welcome Frank HR Solutions, who have joined us as our newest Associate Patron. Frank HR Solutions is an Independent HR Consultancy supporting businesses to manage, develop their people and transform their working practices. Bev Collins, HR Consultant at Frank HR Solutions, said “As an independent HR consultancy, Frank HR Solutions […]

Episode 55: Podcastiversary!

It’s our Podcastiversary! Podiversary? In this extra-special episode, Dave Humphries and Steff Jones look back at our first year of podcasts, chat about how it got started, pick some clips from their favourite episodes, and even tease our Conference in January 2026.

Join our Digital Resilience programme!

Are you passionate about helping local businesses thrive in today’s digital world? Do you have skills or knowledge in areas like cybersecurity, IT support, digital literacy, or training? If so, we need you to join our Digital Resilience team! The programme is led by Volunteer Programme Lead Lisa Gibbs (Director, Philip Gibbs Insurance Brokers) and […]

Episode 56: Gunwharf Quays

CEO Dave Humphries chats with Yvonne Clay about her career, the history and future of Gunwharf Quays, and the upcoming Clipper Race, which starts from Gunwharf on 31st August.

Wintercomms partners with Shaping Portsmouth

The Shaping team are delighted to welcome our new partner Wintercomms, joining us at the Member level. Wintercomms are a local provider specialising in communication technology for business use; Virtual Landlines, Telephone Systems, Business Mobile & Fibre Internet. Based in Portsmouth, their aim is to provide professional advice and consultation through industry experience. Stuart Radcliffe, […]

Step into Summer with our Mental Health Walk & Talks!

We’re thrilled to announce the return of our Workplace Health & Wellbeing programme’s Mental Health Walk & Talks for this summer season, kicking off during Mental Health Awareness week on Wednesday May 14th, at Lakeside North Harbour, between 10:00 and 11:00am. Join us for a morning of connecting, an opportunity to boost well-being while enjoying […]

Episode 59: Bailey’s Buses

Dave Humphries speaks to Steve Bailey, Managing Director of Bailey’s Buses, about how the family business was founded, the challenges they’ve faced as they’ve adapted to the changing cruise industry to grow into their role in the city, their plans for the future, working with the Portsmouth Ambassadors for the Cruise Meet & Greets, and celebrating their 25th anniversary.

Kicking off the 2025 Cruise season

Earlier this month we launched our 2025 Cruise Passenger programme with our amazing meet-and-greet volunteers. How fantastic to host our 2025 launch event at The Mary Rose museum with so many of our volunteers in attendance. Since 2019, cruise arrivals in Portsmouth have grown by an impressive 115%, highlighting the city’s rise as a key […]

Episode 60: LocalLinked

Dave Humphries speaks to Luca Frederick about founding and launching LocalLinked, linking students to their community, getting support through the Portsmouth Business Support Service, volunteering at Spark Community Space and being beaten at Scrabble!