The North Sea Future Plan – Prospects for Transition in the South of the UK?
Yesterday (26 November 2025), the Government set out its plan to manage the North Sea oil and gas fields, protect jobs, and grow clean energy industries. Read more here. The intent to ensure a sustainable future for the North Sea is commendable, protecting existing jobs and providing the next generation of good jobs in sectors […]
MP’s Breakfast Briefing: Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster
I was delighted to lead the team from Dorset to attend and work closely with Lloyd Hatton, MP for South Dorset, who kindly hosted a breakfast briefing for MPs on the Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster. We were pleased to engage directly with Michael Shanks MP, Minister for State for Energy and meet MPs from […]
Michelmores Planning Primer with the Land Promoters and Development Federation
I was delighted to be invited to participate in this event with Michelmores and the LPDF. Steve Quartermain and I were set the challenge: “Have the recent planning reforms been radical enough? Will the next round of changes proposed make a real difference?”. The legal context was really helpfully set out by Helen Hutton. It […]
Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England Visit the South West
I was delighted to meet with Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, as he visited Navantia UK at Appledore, a key location in the South West, strengthening Britain’s defence, maritime and clean energy industrial capabilities. The Governors’ concern about jobs and specifically businesses reducing the number of new employees certainly chimes with other […]
South West Business Council Conference
The South-West’s potential for over £30 billion in inward investment into energy transition projects, such as Floating Offshore Wind, Carbon Capture, Battery Storage, Hydrogen, and Tidal energy, was the focus of the South West Business Council’s Autumn Conference at the University of Plymouth. The event brought together leading experts, including Professor Richard Davies (Vice-Chancellor, UoP), […]
Agratas Report – Driving Growth in Somerset and the South West
As Chair of South West Business Council, I was delighted to the attend the Agratas site in Bridgwater, Somerset on 4 September 2025, to participate in a key milestone event, celebrating the first steel frames being erected for Building One. The construction of Building One will create 2,200 direct jobs and stimulate an estimated 7,500 […]
National Weath Fund Visit Portland, Dorset
On 9 September 2025, Portland Port and Portland Harbour Authority Ltd hosted representatives from the National Wealth Fund (NWF), including David Gwynne, Banking & Investments Director, and Rebecca Jarrett, Director for the South West and Wales. The visit highlighted the transformative potential of the Channel Gateway promoted by Morwind, a clean energy initiative poised to […]
Key Appointments for Dorset Innovation Park
Dorset Council has announced significant appointments for Dorset Innovation Park Ltd, the company responsible for managing the county’s only Enterprise Zone. The park is set to play a pivotal role in driving growth across south Dorset, with a focus on clean energy, defence innovation, and AI technology. Kevin Forshaw will take on the role of […]
New Chair Of South West Business Council
Claire Pearce has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board at the South West Business Council (SWBC). With over thirty years of experience across public and private sectors, Claire has a proven track record in delivering transformative projects that attract investment, uplift communities, and drive economic growth. Her career highlights include leading nationally […]
National Energy System Operator Visits Portland, Dorset
The Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster (DCESC) took a significant step forward in advancing its five Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) with a visit from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). This visit, hosted at Portland Port, demonstrated the region’s commitment to delivering transformative clean energy projects that align with the UK’s energy security and […]