30 Minutes with Brian Johnson, Chair of Solent Free Port

Emerge - Leadership Lessons from Berwick Partners

Marek Dobrowolski, Partner and Lead for Place, Regeneration & Partnerships at Berwick Partners spent some time with Brian Johnson, Chair of Solent Free Port to discuss the importance of Free Ports and how they are providing the biggest opportunities for generational regeneration.

Announced in the 2021 budget, Freeports are a core component of the UK government’s economic plans, aimed at creating jobs, becoming hubs of innovation, and increasing international trade. Designed to play a central role in the regional levelling up agenda, regions with Freeport status will benefit from tax reliefs, simplified customs procedures, and streamlined planning processes to enable and promote regeneration and innovation.

The Freeport being established within the Solent Region, will not only be one of the largest, but also one of the most ambitions, with plans to create tens of thousands of new jobs and play a major role in levelling up coastal communities.

The Solent Freeport is Chaired by Brian Johnson, highly regarded within the regions business community Brian was appointed back in the Spring. Marek was delighted when Brian offered to discuss the place shaping role he sees Freeports playing in the UK’s economic development, and in particular, the impact on the Solent.