Host: Aryana Neo, Presenter, Pageant Queen and Actor

Location: Showcase Cinema de Lux Southampton, Level 4, West Quay Shopping Centre, Southampton, SO15 1DE

Catering: Showcase Cinema de Lux Southampton

Speakers:

Paul Woodman from CityLife shared an insight into the charity’s impactful work, including their new partnership with Room2, and how local businesses are helping to make a real difference in Southampton.

Kelly from Unity 101 introduced their podcast studio hire opportunity, highlighting it as an exciting and creative way for businesses to share their voice, connect with audiences, and be part of a thriving local community.

Host: Aryana Neo, Presenter, Pageant Queen and Actor

Speakers:

• James Gayle from Hampshire Podcast Studios and Director of the marketing agency Straw Hat Social will share insights into how podcasts will adapt in 2026 and how businesses can work with podcasters to stay ahead, drawing on his experience with brands such as Barclays UK, Amex GBT, and the University of Southampton.
• Damian Bemben from Geochip is 3D printing Southampton souvenirs live for attendees to personalise and take away with them
• Budget Summary: Nicky Kildunne from the Federation of Small Business (FSB) will summarise the November 2025 Budget and what it means for businesses.

Location: Clockwise Southampton, Mountbatten House, 1 Grosvenor Square, Southampton SO15 2JU

Catering: Diego’s Rotisserie Southampton

Host: Aryana Neo, Presenter, Pageant Queen and Actor

Speakers:

• Chloe Partridge, Charged Leadership
• Justin Neale, Value Alchemists

Activities:

• Demo from Southampton Solent University of their facilities
• Fitness challenge from the team at PureGym Southampton

Location: Television Studios at The Spark, Southampton Solent University, East Park Terrace, Southampton

Catering: Southampton Solent University.

Host: Aryana Neo, Presenter, Pageant Queen and Actor

Speakers:

• Fay Draper, Cruise Manager at Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton
• Jasmine Hill from British Marine speaking about the Southampton International Boat Show

Activities:

• A tour of the port led by Fay Draper, Cruise Manager at ABP Southampton
• Stands and prize draws from The 1865, NCP (National Car Parks), Voi Scooters, RIDES Cargo E-cargo Bikes and Morning Star Trust
• Samuel Hewson, a local Firefighter attended, along with the Station Manager, and the fire truck for photos

Location: Horizon Cruise Terminal Berth, 102 W Bay Rd, Southampton SO15 1AW

Catering: 

• Thai street food from Mama’s Kitchen
• Drinks provided by The 1865
• Chocolate and drink samples from Hotel Chocolat

Host: Aryana Neo, Presenter, Pageant Queen and Actor

Speakers:

• Dr Isabel Sargent (Izzy), a Chartered Scientist speaking about Doughnut Economics. After 3 decades working in AI, Izzy returned to university to study economics and policy in Mariana Mazzucato’s Institute for Innovation and Public Policy. Her research is focussed on the intersection of society, science and policy. She is on the steering committee of SoCAN.
• Jack Evans from Howden Insurance told the story of the business and a surprising community project they run in their Southampton high street branch where people can swap football boots – the Boot Exchange Programme.
• Lisa Thurbon: We heard from Artswork’s youngest Trustee, Lisa Thurbon who provided a passionate insight into attracting and retaining younger generations in the workplace.
• Dr Isabel Sargent, a Chartered Scientist spoke about Doughnut Economics, and the campaign for spending local.

Additional public notices:

• Meena Vashisht shared the fantastic plans for Mela Festival Saturday 12th – Sunday 13th July 2025, in Hoglands Park
• Aryana Neo announced the call out for women to enter into the Southampton Beauty Pageant.
• Christina Schembri, Marketing Executive at GO! Southampton spoke about the popular Foodie Fortnight offers.
• Stephen Manion, Executive Director, GO! Southampton spoke about the Tourism Superstar Award and BCRP Awareness Week.

Michael Steel from Kiwi Education presented GO! Southampton’s very own Debbi Martin, City Ranger, with their distinction award for their apprenticeship in Customer Service Practitioner Level 2. Congratulations Debbi!

Location and catering: Tap and Tandoor, West Quay Shopping Centre, Southampton SO15 1DE

Host: Aryana Neo, Presenter, Pageant Queen and Actor

Speakers:

• Déjà Vu Royal Pier, the new owners Imran Talukder and Fahim Talukder
• Sandhya Banerjee, Sutapa Mukherjee and Suparna Kundu from The Foodbank Angels of Southampton

Catering by the Bagel Factory.

Location: Danica Payne Aesthetics & Dental, West Quay, Unit 70 Lower, Southampton SO15 1QE
[West Quay underpass]

Who knew networking could be this groovy?

Our September City Networking event at Orange Rooms was packed with great speakers, great people, and great food (those fresh burritos from Mexigo were a hit!). With Aryana Neo—Radio Presenter & Mrs Galaxy England 2023—hosting the event, the energy was high from start to finish.

Lou Taylor, Director of Black History Month South, captivated everyone with stories of how he got involved with Black History Month South, and how the city can support and celebrate black history. Susan Beckett, Executive Director of City Eye, passionately shed light on the Seventeenth Annual Southampton Film Week from 8th – 17th November 2024. We also had an inspiring talk by Gary Benneton, Owner of Orange Rooms, who gave us a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the venue’s journey from its early days to now.

The conversations continued well past the speeches, with plenty of networking and fresh ideas being shared—helped along by the fantastic food and drinks, of course.

Host: Aryana Neo, Radio Presenter & Mrs Galaxy England 2023

Speakers:
Lou Taylor, Director of Black History Month South
Susan Beckett, Executive Director, City Eye

Location: Orange Rooms, 1-2 Vernon Walk, Southampton SO15 2EJ

Catering: Local business Mexigo made fresh burritos for attendees. Drinks were provided by Orange Rooms.

“No drinking before throwing that axe!”. At this City Networking event we had new business managers in the city meeting with key stakeholders while enjoying the activities at Boom Battle Bar. We heard from speakers sharing insights on the Jane Austen 250 anniversary and local business opportunities happening this Summer.

Partnerships could be heard being made during a game of augmented darts, while other organisations spoke with local historians on how to participate in the Jane Austen 250 celebrations over a game of shuffleboard.

Networking continued over delicious food and drinks, discussing future collaborations that would benefit Southampton’s business community, before going off to sing their favourite ballad in the karaoke rooms.

Key speakers on the night:

• Claire Whitaker CBE, CEO, Southampton Forward introducing the Jane Austen 250 anniversary year in 2025
• Historian Dr Cheryl Butler, sharing insights on Jane Austen 250 and how businesses can get involved
• Daniel Crow, Director, a-space arts – Launching the exciting news of the Jane Austen writing desk coming to Southampton in November 2024

Host: Aryana Neo, Radio Presenter, Actor & Mrs Galaxy England 2023 [https://aryananeo.com]

Location: Boom Battle Bar, Lower Level, South Unit WM03, West Street, Southampton, SO15 1DE [https://boombattlebar.com/uk/southampton]

Entertainment: Axe throwing, augmented dart lanes, shuffleboard tables, American pool tables and a karaoke room [pick your activities on the night].

Food & Drink: Provided by Boom Battle Bar

Speakers:

• Fay Draper, Cruise Manager at ABP: Fay will be talking about the synergies between our port and city for a flourishing Southampton. She will also be launching the new volunteer scheme in partnership with GO! Southampton
• Edward Frank Morris, Founder of Enigmatica: Enigmatica has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo News, and Yahoo Finance, and Edward will be sharing his insight into AI and the benefits.

Extras:

• Entertainment, including Southampton Ukulele Jam
• IKEA, with their prize wheel – what will you win?
• Catering from Roosters Piri Piri
• Backstage tour and venue hire information [optional]

Host Aryana Neo, Radio Presenter & Mrs Galaxy England 23

Venue: The 1865, Brunswick Square, Southampton

SPEAKERS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Robin Waldman, Founder & Creative Director of RCM Agency – sharing industry insights and stories
• Martine Niven, PureBei based at UK Shaolin Centre
• Host Aryana Neo, Radio Presenter and Mrs Galaxy England 2023
• Chinese Lion Dance plus meet & greet photo opportunity
• Photobooth by local organisation InFocus
• First look at the willow dragons for the Chinese New Year Dragon Trail

Catering

• M’ Dim Sum (local Chinese restaurant and fellow BID member)

LOCATION
UK Shaolin Centre, Unit 2, Marlands Shopping Centre [Between CEX and OneBelow]
Civic Centre Road, Southampton, SO14 7SJ

Key speakers on the night:

Guest singers:

• Emily Babey & Aneesha
• Naila Caruso
• Haimanti Kumar

Speakers:

• Dahlia Jamil, Chief Executive, Art Asia. Dahlia will be speaking about Southampton Mela Festival.
• Celeste Ingrams, Creative Programme Assistant, ‘a space’ arts. Celeste will be speaking about the Arches Studios.

Location: Rubys at the Grand (below The Grand) South Western House, Terminus Terrace, Southampton, SO14 3AS

Host: Aryana Neo

Key speakers on the night:

• Jann Railton, Owner of Blue Piranha, a Southampton-based clothing company
• Mark Rands, Eco-Sytem Manager, Network Eagle Lab

Location: SeaCity Museum, Havelock Rd, Southampton, SO14 7FY

Catering & entertainment: Beity Lebanese Restaurant

Key speakers on the night:

• Ben Fishwick – Editor, The Daily Echo
• Ben Halton – Port Operations Manager, DP World
• Vijay Sunder and Nuno Franco – Co-Founders of Indian Grape Charmer Wine

Location: The Place to Eat, John Lewis & Partners (Top Floor), Westquay Shopping Centre, 23 Harbour Parade, Southampton, SO15 1QA

Thanks to all those involved, including the speakers, host, caterers and entertainment:

• Tobias Hussey, Store Manager, Decathlon
• Paulina Kozlowska, owner of 4 businesses including Sea Life Play Centre
• Harry Kutty, Headteacher of Cantell School and Chair of the Aspire Community Trust
• Marcel Cullers, Director of Security Nation
• Peter Robertson, Senior Head of MPS & Business Development at DEOS Group
• Aryana Neo, Presenter

SPEAKERS

• Stephen Manion, GO! Southampton
• Jason Murphy, Child Friendly Southampton
• Michael Steel, Managing Director, Kiwi Education
• Emalene Hickman, Project Officer for UEFA Women’s Euro 2022

Hosted by Aryana Neo

Catering by Steamship Shieldhall

Thanks to all those involved, including the speakers, host, caterers and entertainment:

• Liam Faulds, IKEA Business Leader
• Zoie Golding, Artistic Director, Zoie Logic Dance Theatre
• Shelina Permalloo, Chair, Southampton UK City of Culture Bid; Owner, Lakaz Maman Restaurant
• Ram Kalyan ‘Kelly’, Founder, Unity 101 Community Radio
• Tim Keeping, Chair, GO! Southampton BID
• Aryana Neo, Radio Presenter & Mrs Galaxy England 2023

Address: IKEA Restaurant, Leisure World, Southampton SO15 1AE