Portsmouth has three of the most innovative workplaces in the Solent region according to the business magazine's list of innovative work spaces. Lakeside, Cell Block Studios and Royal Navy's NELSON office have been listed as forward-thinking offices.
Lakeside came top in their list of 8 properties because of its combination of premium office space set in 130 acres of landscaped greenery, "giving a natural feel to the environment" combined with excellent facilities for staff such as an on-site nursery school and proximity to the Village hotel with its pool and gym.
The Grade 1 listed Cell Block Studios on The Hard have been described as inspiring "high-spec offices that are pleasure to work in" The Royal Navy's cutting-edge new artificial intelligence program NELSON within Portsmouth Naval Base, was applauded for its " forward-thinking technology" with "a real feeling of flexible use" for huddles, agile working and team working alongside nautical touches to "create a truly unique and inspiring office"
UK businesses are set to adopt more than 163,000 electric vehicles (EVs) this year as part of a £13.6 billion investment in fleet electrification, according to a new study by Windsor-based Centrica Business Solutions.
The increase would see more than a third (35 per cent) additional businesses operate EVs on the road by the end of 2022, compared to the 121,000 registered by firms last year.
The research also found businesses spent £11.6 billion on EVs and supporting infrastructure in 2021 and are planning a 15% spending increase over the next year, taking the total investment in fleet electrification to £13.6 billion.
Many fleet operating businesses (62%) said they expect to operate a 100 per cent electric fleet within the next four years, comfortably ahead of the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles. More than four in ten (44%) said they had increased the number of EVs in their fleet over the last 12 months.
Key drivers for adoption include meeting sustainability targets (59%), demand from employees (45%) and pressure from customers to be more environmentally friendly (43%). However, despite the planned investment, 63% of businesses are worried about accessing public charging points to keep their fleet moving. To overcome the charging challenge, 48% of firms have installed EV charging points at their premises, with more than a third (36%) planning to invest in on-site charging infrastructure in the next 12 months.
 A team of artists are working together to create an art event that will get the whole city talking about our marine environment in Portsmouth. Octopus Story will bring an enormous octopus puppet in the Autumn. This story of the octopus and its relationship with the sea will be told in film, an exhibition and live performance.
This arts and environment project is looking for business sponsorship and is currently crowdfunding. So far, the project has staged an exhibition of maritime themed art by local school children and a performance. The group want to do more workshops for young people and create a future in which Portsmouth will be a creative and sustainable city.
 Portsmouth Distillery can't wait for Southsea Food Festival goers to sample their new aged rum. Described as light, smooth and sweet with a big fat unctuous underbelly of tropical fruit, this rum is England's first ever 3 year old rum.
The Portsmouth Distillery Co. is a premium artisan spirit producer. The company started up in 2018 after members of a local rum club decided to start making their own rum. Their distillery is within the 18th century Fort Cumberland, an Historic England property.
Portsmouth Distillery are just one of many regional food and drink producers at Southsea Food Festival which returns next weekend (16 & 17 July) . Food lovers will be able to sample and buy a wide range of products including sausages, pies, afternoon tea, chocolate and cheese. Local markets Love Southsea and Hampshire Farmers' will also be taking part.
 Portico is holding a free online seminar on how business can take advantage of change in the supply chain. Over recent years, global supply chains have faced major disruption because of socio-political influences including Brexit, the pandemic, and reducing availability of experienced and skilled labour.
Companies have reacted by shifting from ‘just in time’ to ‘just in case’ models, and a ‘modal shift’ from accompanied to unaccompanied transportation systems to make their supply chains more efficient and increasingly resilient. Modal shift is also an important element of the discussion around creating a sustainable, resilient flow of imports and exports.
As well as moving from driver accompanied trailers to unaccompanied trailers and containers, there has been an increase in break bulk coaster shipments and utilisation of smaller regional ports, increasing supply chain security, speeding up processing and a reduced impact upon the environment.
Key Account Manager Matt Green will discuss Portico’s ground-breaking ‘fast lane’ partnership with CMA-CGM and Brittany Ferries, and their weekly service to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
He will be joined by Justin Atkin, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges Representative for the UK & Ireland, who will give a European perspective of developing resilient and sustainable supply chains between Belgium and the UK.
14 July 10am online
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