The Shaping Portsmouth Podcast

Charla Grant talks to Jo Dallas about the work Headway Portsmouth & South East Hampshire does supporting people with acquired brain injuries and their families and carers, how these injuries affect lives, how things have changed over the 40 years since Headway launched, how local businesses could support them, and their upcoming abseil of the Spinnaker Tower! The post Episode 90: Headway Portsmouth & South East Hampshire first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Dave Humphries talks to Sam about his role at Airbus, the history of Airbus and what they do in Portsmouth and around the world (and in space!), managing sustainability and their Portsmouth initiatives, and their apprenticeship scheme. The post Episode 89: Airbus first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Charla Grant talks to Nathalie Russell-Clarke, co-director, and Emma Stallard, participant and artist, about This New Ground, an Arts organisation which elevates the artistic voices and talents of people with learning disabilities, their exhibition running at Aspex Portsmouth until 7th June called Inside, their festival, Pivot Fest, taking place in Portsmouth between 8th and 10th May, and what they'll be doing next including their upcoming cultural exchange. The post Episode 88: This New Ground first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Charla Grant talks to Clare Seek about Share (Portsmouth), which runs the Repair Café and Portsmouth Library of Things, creating a cultural revolution in the city, the right to repair and circular economy, and how businesses and individuals can get involved. The post Episode 87: Share (Portsmouth) first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Dave Humphries talks to Mark Waldron, Editor in Chief of The News, about his career in journalism, the importance of local journalism and the changes it has gone through, the Business Excellence Awards, and being Co-Chair of Shaping Portsmouth. The post Episode 86: Mark Waldron first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode Charla Grant talks to Sohaila Sophia about what led her to a career in coaching, the various types of one-to-one coaching and group talks she offers across lifestyle, therapeutic style, and corporate & business, the importance of wellbeing, and being Co-Lead for Shaping's Workplace Health & Wellbeing programme. The post Episode 85: Sohaila Sophia Coaching first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Charla Grant talks to Trevor Payne from Athletic Performance & Therapy about working in knee and lower limb therapy and the psychological links, his clinic in the John Pounds Centre, PEACE and LOVE, and getting Clare Martin MBE running. The post Episode 84: Athletic Performance & Therapy first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Dave Humphries talks to Bev about how she came to leave her job and found Frank HR, being a workaholic and a people person, the difficulties of setting up a business, and how Frank HR works as a retainer service for businesses. The post Episode 83: Frank HR first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Charla Grant, Suzan Win Latt, and Marian Glover reflect on International Women's Day and this years theme of Give to Gain, the SLR Recruitment IWD event, their own lunch meeting about how to extend the IWD celebration across the whole year, and their plans for a new Women in Business initiative that came out of it. The post Episode 82: Women in Business first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Charla Grant chats with Hannah Murray about how she came to work in mental health, starting out as The Beautiful Mind Coach and how that evolved into Seed Wellbeing, the importance of healthy workplace culture, and the impact she'd like Seed Wellbeing to have in the city. The post Episode 81: Seed Wellbeing first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Charla Grant chats with Dave Humphries (CEO of a local organisation you may know called Shaping Portsmouth!) looking back over the last year of Shaping Portsmouth activities, including the Conference, collaboration in the city, community cohesion, the importance of listening to young people, and Dave's experiences in his role. The post Episode 80: Dave Humphries first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

This week we have a special episode for International Women's Day, which will be on Sunday 8th March! In this episode, Charla Grant chats with Roni Edwards-Wilson from Pamodzi about her decision to pause the Inspirational Women's Awards this year, how she's been keeping busy, the importance of the awards, and this year's IWD theme of Give to Gain. The post Episode 79: International Women’s Day first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

CEO Dave Humphries speaks to Steve Piper, founder of Si Digital, about the business, Artificial Intelligence, and how attending the Shaping Portsmouth Conference in 2025 led to taking a PSA test, which led to a prostate cancer diagnosis. The post Episode 78: Steve Piper first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Charla Grant chats with apprentices Aidan Whitlock from Mountjoy, Lauren Owen from Comserv, and Christopher Munday from South Western Railway about why they chose the Apprenticeship route and their experiences on the Apprenticeship Bus. The post Episode 77: Apprenticeship Bus Special – Part 2 first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

As we prepare for National Apprenticeship Week next week, it's the first part of our Apprenticeship Bus Special! Charla Grant chats with apprentices Katie House from Specsavers, Jake Bull from KBS Maritime, and Lauren Spooner from Portsmouth City Council about why they chose the Apprenticeship route and their experiences on the Apprenticeship Bus. The post Episode 76: Apprenticeship Bus Special – Part 1 first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

CEO Dave Humphries speaks to Katy about taking part in the Shaping Conference, how she went from joining Portsmouth Northsea Swimming Club at age six to swimming at an elite level and beyond, how training prepared her for parenthood and life in general, and her current project promoting water safety with The Gogglehedz. The post Episode 75: Katy Sexton first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Recorded live at the Shaping Portsmouth Conference on Friday 16th January 2026, Education Pillar Director Hayden Taylor talks to Maheep Kaur, about her roles as Member of the UK Youth Parliament for Portsmouth and on the Executive Committee of the Portsmouth Youth Cabinet, then Hayden and Maheep are joined by Theo Proca to interview Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North. The post Episode 74: Amanda Martin MP Vs Portsmouth Youth Cabinet first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Dave Humphries talks to Steve Squires, founder of Odigo Driving School, about the switch from history teacher to starting a driving school, running a local small business, his work with Models for Heroes, and some scary driving moments. The post Episode 73: Odigo Driving School first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Dave Humphries has a chaotic chat with Lulu Whitmore, founder of Love Southsea, about growing up in Portsmouth, the origins and growth of the Love Southsea Market, the Love Portsmouth pop up shop in Gunwharf Quays, and her plans for what's coming next. The post Episode 72: Love Southsea first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Dave Humphries talks to Gemma Nichols, CEO of Portsmouth Creates, about her history working in Culture and how it led her to Portsmouth, joining Portsmouth Creates, and her passion for supporting the creative sector. They also discuss some of the projects Portsmouth Creates has been running, the variety of creative industries they support, and the impact they've had across the city. The post Episode 71: Portsmouth Creates first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode, Charla Grant talks to Nadia Arab, Founder of Road From Karachi, about growing up in Portsmouth, her mother launching a cookery school in the 80s, rediscovering her recipes and publishing them with her own contributions in Road From Karachi, and the amazing charity work that came from it,running workshops in the city and donating clean water pumps across the world. The post Episode 70: Road From Karachi first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode, CEO Dave Humphries speaks to Sally Spicer, Co-Founder of Talent Included, about working in Recruitment, founding Talent Included with Natalie Clark, the importance of EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion), and how Portsmouth Businesses can help and benefit. The post Episode 69: Talent Included first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode, CEO Dave Humphries speaks to David Knight, CEO of the Royal Maritime Hotel, about his career in hospitality, the Hotel's charity status and work supporting Veterans and the Armed Forces Community, the history of the hotel, the services they currently provide, and their partnerships around Portsmouth. The post Episode 68: Royal Maritime Hotel first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

CEO Dave Humphries speaks to Rob Cunningham, Leisure & Business Development Director at BH Live, about how he got into the Leisure industry, BH Live's work in Portsmouth and the South Coast, redeveloping the Pyramids and Mountbatten, and how the charity helps residents lead a healthy lifestyle. The post Episode 67: BH Live first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this special Trustees' Week episode, Charla Grant is joined by Tony McCarthy from HIVE Portsmouth to discuss the role of trustees and benefits of being one, the need for more trustees, and how we're working together to fill those vacancies. The post Episode 66: Trustees’ Week Special first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode, Operations Manager Steff Jones chats with Charla Grant about her role as Programme & Partnership Support, her previous career and work with the LOOKUP Portsmouth Street Art Festival and the importance of creativity, community, and wellbeing. The post Episode 65: Charla Grant first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

As it was the Spinnaker Tower's anniversary this weekend, CEO Dave Humphries sat down with General Manager Richard Hale to talk about the celebrations, the logistics of running the tower, abseiling, becoming an icon of the city, and plans for what comes next. The post Episode 64: Spinnaker Tower’s 20th Anniversary first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Amy Cusack chats with Lauren Bumstead and Kev Sadler from Portsmouth City Council about their roles in the Careers & Progression team, supporting Care Experienced young people and NEETs, launching Employability Academy in partnership with Shaping Portsmouth, and the positive impact it had on those who attended. The post Episode 63: Employability Academy first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Andy Moss, Co-Lead of our Armed Forces Community programme, talks to Tim Jones, who leads the AFC programme Service Leavers pillar, about his career in the military, his transition into comms work in the civilian world, and his work with service leavers. The post Episode 62: Armed Forces Community – Tim Jones first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Dave Humphries speaks to Joe Weston-McDowell about his journey to settling in Portsmouth and his previous work at Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, his current role at Motiv8, and the work Motiv8 is doing to create life chances for young people in Portsmouth. The post Episode 61: Motiv8 first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Dave Humphries speaks to Luca Frederick about founding and launching LocalLinked, linking students to their community, getting support through the Portsmouth Business Support Service, volunteering at Spark Community Space and being beaten at Scrabble! The post Episode 60: LocalLinked first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Dave Humphries speaks to Steve Bailey, Managing Director of Bailey's Buses, about how the family business was founded, the challenges they've faced as they've adapted to the changing cruise industry to grow into their role in the city, their plans for the future, working with the Portsmouth Ambassadors for the Cruise Meet & Greets, and celebrating their 25th anniversary. The post Episode 59: Bailey’s Buses first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Dave Humphries speaks to Jacqui Scott from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation about her role there, how they're funded, and how community groups can access those funds to help support their projects. The post Episode 58: Hampshire & IoW Community Foundation first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Andy Moss, Co-Lead of our Armed Forces Community programme, talks to Sue Oatley, who leads the AFC programme Charity & Support pillar, about growing up as a forces child and its effect on her and her families lives, how she's contributing to the AFC programme, and starting the Aftershock Project. The post Episode 57: Armed Forces Community – Sue Oatley first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

CEO Dave Humphries chats with Yvonne Clay about her career, the history and future of Gunwharf Quays, and the upcoming Clipper Race, which starts from Gunwharf on 31st August. The post Episode 56: Gunwharf Quays first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

It's our Podcastiversary! Podiversary? In this extra-special episode, Dave Humphries and Steff Jones look back at our first year of podcasts, chat about how it got started, pick some clips from their favourite episodes, and even tease our Conference in January 2026. The post Episode 55: Podcastiversary! first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Steff Jones talks to Tiff Gaskell and Shola Hood from Victorious Festival about how the festival has grown over the years, how they came to be working in their roles, the challenges and impact of the event on the city, and what's coming up at the festival this summer. The post Episode 54: Victorious Festival first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

CEO Dave Humphries speaks to Rod Sessions, Commercial Director at Hampshire Flag Company, about the company and their family business ethos, both internally and in the community, in particular supporting Portsmouth Pride and UK Pride and being a Patron of Shaping Portsmouth. The post Episode 53: Hampshire Flag Company first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode, Steff Jones talks to Chris West from Solent Mind about improving workplace wellbeing with The Five Ways to Wellbeing, and joining the team as our new Workplace Health & Wellbeing Programme Lead. The post Episode 52: Solent Mind first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode, Shaping Portsmouth's Pillar Leads, Marian Glover, Suzan Win Latt, and Amy Cusack, take over the podcast to chat about their roles, what their programmes have been up to recently, and champion their amazing Programme Leads. The post Episode 51: Shaping Portsmouth Pillar Leads first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

Dave Humphries talks to Brian Harpur, Managing Director of GRP Solutions, about his journey to Portsmouth and founding the business, their community focus, and the Naomi House Big Five Challenge. The post Episode 50: GRP Solutions first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

David Humphries talks to David Wickes, Headteacher of The Portsmouth Grammar School, about his career, the history of the school and blending the old with the new, and working in the community. The post Episode 49: Portsmouth Grammar School first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

CEO Dave Humphries talks to James Fernandes, Managing Director of Carrington West, about founding the recruitment business, being recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025, and how they give back to Portsmouth. The post Episode 48: Carrington West first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

CEO Dave Humphries talks to Alison Lee, Managing Director of Biscoes Solicitors, about her career, the firm, and their work in the community, in particular their dedication to the Armed Forces Community and support of the Armed Forces Covenant and Employer Recognition Scheme. The post Episode 47: Biscoes Solicitors first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode, CEO Dave Humphries talks to Jack Boaden and Jess Spencer from First Steps First Aid about their history as paramedics, starting the business, and delivering first aid training to businesses, schools, and more. The post Episode 46: First Steps First Aid first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode, CEO Dave Humphries talks to Matt Foster, Founder and CEO of the Parenting Network about his life, the Network, and launching The Forge. The post Episode 45: The Parenting Network first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode, CEO Dave Humphries talks to Helen Morton, Communications Lead at the HIVE Portsmouth, about the Portsmouth Community Lottery, how the lottery grants can support the local community, and how residents can support the lottery. Find out more about Portsmouth Community Lottery at https://www.portsmouthlottery.co.uk/ The post Episode 44: Portsmouth Community Lottery first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode, CEO Dave Humphries talks to Felicity Harris, Portsmouth City Council's Strategic Lead for Climate Resilience & Natural Environment, about her role, the importance of green spaces in the city, and how we can all help with the Green City Partnership. The post Episode 43: Green City Partnership first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode, CEO Dave Humphries chats with Sarah Roads and Tatum Isaacs from SLR Marine Recruitment about their careers, launching and growing the business, and expanding to SLR Local. The post Episode 42: SLR Marine Recruitment first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.

In this episode, CEO Dave Humphries talks to Gareth Webb and Natalie Merriman from Fair Ways about Fostering Fortnight, their work with children in foster care, and Foster Friendly Employers. The post Episode 41: Fair Ways first appeared on Shaping Portsmouth.