Let's Talk South Coast Podcast

In this special edition of the Let’s Talk South Coast podcast, recorded live at Greenways Business Park in Chippenham, host Nella Pang explores how place, people and infrastructure come together to support high-growth businesses across life sciences, cyber, defence and emerging technologies. This episode brings together voices from health innovation, cyber resilience and workspace development to u...

In this special feature of the Let’s Talk South Coast podcast, recorded live at Greenways Business Park in Chippenham, host Nella Pang is joined by a panel of experts to explore the practical opportunities and challenges for SMEs in 2025 and 2026. This episode moves beyond high-level headlines to discuss how businesses can foster resilience through talent development, technological adoption, and s...

In this limited edition series in partnership with Greenways Business Park, this episode of Let’s Talk Greenways Business Park, host Nella Pang is joined by Mark Berrisford-Smith, former Head of Economics at HSBC, to cut through the headlines and unpack what the Autumn Budget really tells us about the UK economy. Together, they explore the realities behind debt, growth, taxation and confidence — a...

In this episode of Let’s Talk South Coast, we explore how space innovation, workforce development and placemaking are shaping the South Coast’s economic future. Nella is joined by Louise Butt from Space South Central; Professor David Hutchinson from the University of Portsmouth; and Marelize de Beurs, from Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council, to unpack what makes the region a compelling place to...

In episode five of our third series of Let’s Talk South Coast, host Nella Pang brings together senior leaders from across infrastructure, innovation, ports, space and higher education to explore how the region can unlock its full growth potential. Recorded live at the South Coast Commercial Property Show, this panel discussion focuses on the practical realities of infrastructure readiness, skills,...

In episode three of our third series of Let’s Talk South Coast, host Nella Pang explores how environmental mitigation, strategic investment and smart development practices are shaping the future of the South Coast. She’s joined by Rachel Jones from the Solent Mitigation Partnership, investor Dave Foster,  and Lee Merrifield from MSP Capital; for a wide-ranging conversation about unlocking sites, o...

In episode two of our third series of Let’s Talk South Coast, host Nella Pang explores two powerful forces shaping the region’s future: devolution and the role of universities in driving economic growth. Recorded live at the South Coast Commercial Property Show, Nella is joined first by Megan Carter, a leading voice in regional governance and devolution, and then by Professor Mark Smith, Vice Chan...

In episode one of our third series of Let’s Talk South Coast, host Nella Pang takes us inside this year’s record-breaking South Coast Commercial Property Show, a day of big ideas, bold collaboration and sector-shaping conversations with Lucy Richmond, the founder of the South Coast CPS Show; Mike Sellers, Port Director at Portsmouth International Port; and Ben Jones from Pagabo, headline sponsors...

In episode nine of our second series of Let’s Talk South Coast, our host Nella Pang is joined by Andy Tourell , Head of Sustainable Logistics at Ocean Infinity What you’ll hear about in this episode:  Who Ocean Infinity are and what they do The ESG targets they have set themselves on decarbonisation The projects they have been involved in since pioneering the use of autonomous underwater vehicles...

In episode eight of our second series of Let’s Talk South Coast, our host Nella Pang is joined by ChatGPT to talk about the impact AI and new technologies are having on the future of work and what businesses, government and educators can do to ensure no one is left behind. What you’ll hear about in this episode:  The impact AI is having on the world of work How companies are leveraging AI The impo...

In episode seven of our second series of Let’s Talk South Coast, our host Nella Pang is joined by Jonathan Trice , Director at Omega RE to talk about the impact that ESG and EPCs are having on both businesses and consumers. What you’ll hear about in this episode:  What ESG stands for and why it has been hitting the headlines How the increase in the level of choice for consumers means they are dema...

In episode six of our second series of Let’s Talk South Coast, our host Nella Pang is joined by Alex Blandford , Assistant Principal at UTC Portsmouth to talk about how community technology colleges partner with local businesses to help develop curriculums that instill key skills to the future workforce. What you’ll hear about in this episode:  The different UTC sites and what they are trying to a...

In episode five of our second series of Let’s Talk South Coast, our host Nella Pang is joined by Ben Ross , Senior Surveyor at ABP to talk about the role that Southampton port plays in bringing investment and economic development to the area and their plans to continue and grow this in the future. What you’ll hear about in this episode: The position Southampton Port is currently in and how they ar...

 In episode four of our second series of Let’s Talk South Coast, our host Nella Pang is joined by Becky Lodge , Founder of StartUp Disruptors to talk about the support they are offering to neurodiverse individuals who want to start a businesses on the South Coast and the communities that have been created around this. What you’ll hear about in this episode: How StartUp Disruptors was formed by 9 p...

In episode three of our second series of Let’s Talk South Coast, our host Nella Pang is joined by Steve Szalay , Operations Director at Southampton International Airport to talk about the contention that surrounded the runway extension and how they have been trying to balance the benefits to the region against any potential noise and environmental issues. What you’ll hear about in this episode: Th...

In episode two of our second series of Let’s Talk South Coast, our host Nella Pang is joined by George Long , Managing Director of the Land & New Homes Department of Charters Estate Agents to talk about the impact the current economic climate is having on buyer’s and investor’s confidence in the housing market.  What you’ll hear about in this episode: How the current economic situation is impa...

Welcome back to Season 2 of the Let's Talk South Coast podcast with Nella Pang!  This season features an incredible informative lineup of guests who share Nella’s passion for the South Coast. There are so many amazing things happening in the region, all of which will be shouted about from the rooftops on this podcast to continue to raise our global presence on the South coast.  Let's Tal...

Summary: In the first episode of our second series of Let’s Talk South Coast, our host Nella Pang is joined by Patrick Freestone , Fund Manager at Fiera Real Estate and Ed Ellerington , Founder of Packaged Living to talk about transformational projects taking place in Southampton. What you’ll hear about in this episode: ESG initiatives and schemes Why Ed and Patrick believe there is such a push to...

Summary: On the final episode of Season 1, Nella is joined by Stuart Baker, Business Development Director and MD of Maritime UK Solent to discuss the maritime industry in the South Coast. They chatted about the key initiatives of Maritime UK Solent and some examples of innovation that are being brought forward. They touched on the Solent being a global hydrogen hub as well as why the Solent will b...

Summary: Nella Pang is joined by Philip Broadhead , Deputy Leader of BCP Council and Chairman of Future Places . Nella and Philip discuss the merger between Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the key takeaways from MIPIM, and how BCP is tackling climate change and the evolution of high streets. In this episode they touch on what BCP has to offer investors and what the opportunities there are for...

Summary: Nella is joined by Professor AbuBakr Bahaj, Professor of Sustainable Energy at the University of Southampton for the 8th episode of Season 1 of the Let’s Talk South Coast podcast.  They talk about how rising sea levels will affect Southampton, initiatives businesses can implement to combat climate change, as well as how regions in the South Coast fare in becoming sustainable.  They touch...

Summary: Nella is joined by Tristan Samuels, Director of Regeneration at Portsmouth City Council for the 7th episode of Let’s Talk South Coast. They discuss what developments and opportunities are happening in Portsmouth, why investors should consider Portsmouth, and the Portsmouth carbon budget. The important takeaway from this episode is that Portsmouth City Council is heavily focused on bringin...

Summary: In the 6th episode of Let’s Talk South Coast, Nella is joined by Brian Johnson, UK Business Development Director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, Chair of Solent LEP and Chair of Solent Freeport Consortium, and Tim Williamson, Managing Associate at Foot Anstey LLP. In this episode they dive into the Solent Freeport opportunity. The Solent Freeport will unlock billions of pounds’ worth of inves...

Summary: On the 5th episode of the Let’s Talk South Coast podcast, Nella is joined by Elizabeth Corse, Scaleup Engagement Manager at Tech Nation. They discussed how the South Coast is fairing in Tech Nation’s report and what the South Coast can do to become a contender in the tech scene. They touched on diversity and climate tech as well as the ‘Oscars for Technology of Entrepreneurs’. The key tak...

Nella Pang is joined by Philip Holmes, Senior Estates Surveyor, Group Property Real Estate at QinetiQ for the 4th episode of season 1. They chat about why aerospace and defence companies have chosen the South Coast, the QinetiQ property strategy and how important it is for landlords and investors to pay attention to a corporate social responsibility agenda. They also touch on how the pandemic has...