 We Shine 2021 Image credit Portsmouth Creates
The countdown to Christmas in Portsmouth’s main shopping areas will be officially marked this month with a range of sparkling events from Christmas Lights Switch On Parties, the We Shine Art and Light Festival, Christmas markets and the return of Portsmouth on Ice.
The Christmas Lights Switch On Parties are sponsored by local business Nexus Independent Financial Advisers. Established in 2009 and based in The Camber building in Portsmouth, the company provides a wide range of financial advice including mortgages, investments, and retirement planning.
Kerry Nelson, CEO of Nexus Independent Financial Advisers, said:
“We’re passionate about Portsmouth and supporting the local community at Nexus, which is why we’re so delighted to sponsor this year’s Christmas Light Switch On Parties. It’s been a tough year for everyone so we hope the lights will bring some much-needed cheer and that everyone will enjoy all the festive activities Portsmouth has to offer.”
 Auto Integrate, a Portsmouth company located at Lakeside North Harbour, has received its third Queen’s Award, securing the award for International Trade for Outstanding Growth over three years. This adds to previous awards for International Trade and Innovation.
The business specialises in software to facilitate vehicle maintenance requests and authorisation, operating throughout the United States of America and Canadian fleet sectors.
A crucial part of Auto Integrate’s success has been the growth of its vendor network, with more than 85,000 locations now regularly submitting requests through the platform. This allows more than 95% of maintenance transactions to be executed electronically, each one saving an average eight minutes versus a typical phone transaction.
 FSB are celebrating the achievements and contributions of small businesses and the self-employed across the UK. As the largest event of its kind in the small business calendar, the high-profile FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards are free to enter and open to all.
With winners from each category securing a spot at the prestigious UK final and a chance to be crowned the UK Small Business of the Year, it’s an opportunity for widespread recognition. Entrants will be judged by a panel of leading business experts with a wealth of experience in their industry
 Learn how you can make this Christmas and beyond a success for your small business with Small Business Saturday and The Tour Workshops. Throughout this month, there will be a daily selection of free online workshops on useful topics; from boosting your sales and digital marketing, to managing time and money better.
Attend at least 10 workshops and you will be sent a large luxury candle from Jo Macfarlane in time for Christmas!
We are supporting Small Business Saturday, so to ensure your business can be found by Portsmouth's residents register your Christmas updates, new products and services for FREE on rediscoverportsmouth.co.uk
 SMEs are under significant pressures due to the current cost of living crisis, but the importance of training, and access to entrepreneurs and industry experts remains. To help, the government and University of Portsmouth are offering to completely cover the cost of the £7,500 ‘Help to Grow: Management Course’.
This course runs over 12 weeks and includes online and face-to-face sessions, 1 to 1 mentoring and peer networking. With just one session a week, it is designed to fit around existing work and personal commitments. Once completed you will be ready to lead on the delivery of increased profitability, innovation and growth.
 Portsmouth Film Society will be running its 4th Recovery Festival in Southsea. This festival supports mental health by raising awareness and celebrating people's ability to recognise their problems, have the bravery to come forward, talk about it, seek help and realise they are not alone whatever the problem.
10 to 13 November at venues in Southsea
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