News and Insights

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

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

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

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
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

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,

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

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

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,
