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, overcoming constraints, and delivering sustainable growth across the region.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• What’s actually happening on the ground in commercial development
• Funding pressures, investor sentiment and changing lending appetites
• The shift towards sustainable, place-led regeneration
• And why great delivery still comes down to strong relationships

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• Solent Mitigation Partnership / Partnership for South Hampshire
• Craigard
• MSP Capital
• Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
• Environment Agency
• Local authorities across the Solent
• South Coast Commercial Property Show
• Various South Coast developers and planning authorities

Shoutouts:

• The collaboration between councils, regulators and environmental partners supporting sustainable growth
• Landowners enabling nutrient mitigation and habitat restoration projects
• Investors and developers working to unlock supply across the region

About Our Guests:

Rachel Jones
Solent Mitigation Partnership Manager at the Partnership for South Hampshire, leading strategic environmental mitigation projects that enable development while protecting the Solent’s internationally important habitats.

Dave Foster
Managing Director at Craigard, a specialist investment and asset management company transforming underperforming assets into resilient, income-generating properties across the region.

Lee Merrifield
Commercial Director at MSP Capital, offering expert insight into development finance, viability pressures and the funding challenges shaping which projects can progress.

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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 Chancellor of the University of Southampton.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Devolution and the role of a future Mayor Elect
• How political change could reshape priorities, funding and opportunity
• Why the South Coast must find its collective voice
• What the next generation of talent is really looking for
• The widening skills gap — and the solutions already on the table
• How workplace culture can attract (or repel) the people we need
• What the “future surveyor” might look like by 2030

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• University of Southampton
• Southampton Renaissance Board
• Southampton Science Park
• Morgan Sindall (Apprenticeship Levy discussion)
• Portsmouth University (Triple Helix reference)
• Local authorities across Hampshire & the Solent
• South Coast Commercial Property Show
• Various regional investors, occupiers and developers

Shoutouts:

• The businesses and public-sector leaders shaping the South Coast’s future
• The candidates standing for the new mayoral role
• The students, researchers and entrepreneurs driving innovation across the region

About Our Guests:

Megan Carter
A leading figure in regional governance, specialising in devolution, place leadership and long-term investment strategy. Megan champions the importance of local decision-making, strategic collaboration and creating a coherent identity for the Hampshire & Solent region.

Professor Mark Smith
Vice Chancellor of the University of Southampton and member of the Southampton Renaissance Board. Mark is driving the university’s Triple Helix Strategy, supporting graduate skills, entrepreneurship, research commercialisation and the development of world-class innovation ecosystems.

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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

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 of this year's event.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• How the South Coast Commercial Property Show has grown into the region’s largest property conference
• Why cross-sector collaboration is accelerating opportunities across the South Coast
• The role of purpose-driven events in creating a united regional identity
• How ambitious decarbonisation projects like shore power are reshaping UK maritime infrastructure
• The challenges of grid capacity, energy demand and electrifying complex operations
• Why outcome-led procurement is key to delivering faster, smarter and more sustainable projects
• The opportunities emerging across infrastructure, space, universities and marine industries
• How social value is being embedded into projects to deliver genuine, lasting community impact

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• Portsmouth International Port
• Brittany Ferries
• Department for Transport
• Innovate UK
• Southampton Football Club / St Mary’s Stadium
• University of Southampton
• Pagabo
• Morgan Sindall
• British Ports Association
• Portsmouth City Council

Shoutouts:

• The 122 speakers across this year’s show
• The sponsors and exhibitors who brought the energy
• The South Coast business, public sector and education communities for showing up, loudly and collaboratively

About Our Guests:

Lucy
Founder and organiser of the South Coast Commercial Property Show, championing collaboration, regional pride and accessible, purpose-driven events.

Mike Sellers
Port Director at Portsmouth International Port and member of the British Ports Association Council, leading the UK's most innovative port-led decarbonisation projects.

Ben Jones
Regional Manager at Pagabo, specialists in modern, flexible and socially responsible procurement frameworks across the UK.

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