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 — and what it all means for businesses trying to plan, invest and grow in an uncertain climate.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• What the Autumn Budget reveals about the true state of the UK economy
• Why high public debt and low productivity continue to hold back growth
• The impact of tax burden, inflation and interest rates on consumer confidence
• Why recovery feels slow — and what’s preventing spending from bouncing back
• How global pressures, geopolitics and trade tensions affect UK outlooks
• The role of business investment in driving long-term economic recovery
• Why planning, skills, energy costs and infrastructure remain key constraints
• What businesses should realistically prepare for over the next few years

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• HSBC
• UK Government / HM Treasury
• Bank of England
• UK business and financial institutions
• International trade and global markets

Shoutouts:

• Business leaders navigating uncertainty with pragmatism and resilience
• Economists and analysts helping translate policy into real-world impact
• SMEs and organisations continuing to invest despite economic headwinds

About Our Guest:

Mark Bairus-Hissner
Former Head of Economics at HSBC, Mark brings decades of experience analysing global and UK economic trends. In this episode, he offers a grounded, honest assessment of the Autumn Budget and the structural challenges shaping the UK’s economic future.

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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 invest, work and build long-term growth.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Why the South Coast is one of the UK’s most established and fast-growing space clusters
• The infrastructure and real estate challenges facing micro-SMEs in high-growth sectors
• The role universities play in aligning skills, innovation and industry demand
• How degree apprenticeships and professional accreditation support workforce resilience
• What placemaking really means and why wellbeing matters
• How Basingstoke’s “invest in happiness” narrative supports inward investment
• Why the South Coast must communicate more confidently as a unified economic region

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• Space South Central Enterprise Network
• University of Portsmouth
• Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council
• Eli Lilly
• Sony
• South Coast space, marine and maritime sectors
• Local government and education partners across the Solent

Shoutouts:

• Micro-SMEs driving innovation across the South Coast
• Universities supporting skills, research and entrepreneurship
• Local authorities embedding wellbeing and quality of life into economic strategy
• Businesses collaborating across traditionally siloed sectors

About Our Guests:

Louise Butt
Director at Space South Central, supporting one of the UK’s most established space clusters. Louise works closely with industry, developers and local partners to ensure the region can support rapid growth across the space value chain.

Professor David Hutchinson
Professor at the University of Portsmouth, focused on skills, innovation and workforce development. David champions the “triple helix” model of collaboration between universities, industry and government to tackle shared economic and climate challenges.

Marelize de Beurs
Economy and Place Marketing Manager at Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council, leading an inward investment narrative centred on wellbeing, productivity and work-life balance. Marelize brings a people-first perspective to economic growth and place-based strategy.

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Twitter: @omega_renews
Instagram: @omegare.re
Facebook: @omegare6

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Interested in being a guest or sponsoring an upcoming season?
We’d love to hear from you: hello@omega-re.co.uk

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, energy and collaboration and what developers, investors and policymakers need to do next to deliver at scale.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Why the South Coast is at a tipping point for growth across advanced industries
• The infrastructure challenges holding back development, from grid capacity to energy costs
• How Freeports can provide long-term investor confidence and unlock strategic sites
• How space, maritime, digital and science clusters drive innovation when co-located
• The role of universities in future-proofing skills, talent pipelines and infrastructure
• Why apprenticeship levies, modular training and collaboration are critical to closing the skills gap

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• Solent Freeport
• Portsmouth International Port
• Space South Central Enterprise Network
• Southampton Science Park
• University of Portsmouth
• Partnership for South Hampshire
• National Energy Systems Operator
• South Coast Commercial Property Show
• Local authorities across Hampshire & the Solent

Shoutouts:

• The investors, developers and occupiers shaping the South Coast’s future
• The education providers aligning skills with real industry demand
• The organisations collaborating to unlock infrastructure, innovation and growth

About Our Guests:

Brian Johnson
Chair of Solent Freeport, leading major investment programmes and positioning the South Coast’s maritime economy for long-term global competitiveness.

Mike Sellers
Port Director at Portsmouth International Port, championing clean maritime innovation and the UK’s first multi-user, multi-berth shore power project.

Louise Butt
Director of Space South Central Enterprise Network, connecting one of the UK’s densest high-tech clusters across space, defence and digital sectors.

Robin Chave
CEO of Southampton Science Park, supporting start-ups and scale-ups through flexible workspace, collaboration and innovation-led development.

Professor David Hutchinson
Senior leader at the University of Portsmouth, aligning education, research and skills development with the future needs of industry.

Follow Us On

Twitter: @omega_renews
Instagram: @omegare.re
Facebook: @omegare6

Let’s Talk Purpose
Interested in being a guest or sponsoring an upcoming season?
We’d love to hear from you: hello@omega-re.co.uk