HUNDREDS of business leaders from across the region flocked to the 10th Business South Annual Conference.

Recognised as being one of the top business gatherings in the South, The theme of this year’s annual gathering was World Class and delegates at the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl were treated to some top class speakers.

In a globally competitive market it is crucial that the South Central region is recognised as a great place to do business and speakers were selected to demonstrate how the region is already making its mark on the world stage.

Ensuring everything ran smoothly was the job of the compere Alastair Fee, the business correspondent for BBC South.

Andrew Loveless from Ordnance Survey shared how the Southampton based headquarters for mapping is now attracting talent from London to come and work here.

He explained they are working with 375 partners worldwide and they are heavily involved with supporting the land and property sector, government and financial services.

“The case for place is truly global,” he said.

Sir Keith Mills, the founder of Airmiles and Nectar cards, spoke passionately about the synergies between sport and business. He spearheaded the successful bid to host the London Olympics and went on to establish the Invictus Games.

He explained that taking part in a round-the-world yacht race had inspired him to get behind the Ben Ainslie team who will be competing for the America’s Cup in 2017.

“There are great parallels between sport and business. It is about building and motivating teams of people and setting really clear goals.

“Ben Ainslie Racing has set the goal of winning – and winning in business is very similar,” he said.

Southampton Solent University was the headline sponsor for the Business South Annual Conference. Professor Mike Wilkinson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement), said: “We were proud to sponsor the Business South Annual Conference, which was a great success with over 250 business leaders from across the south attending. It was a fantastic opportunity to discuss how the south central region has an important role to play in the vibrancy of the UK economy, and how universities are vital in supporting businesses by helping to educate the workforce of tomorrow.”

Devolution of powers to create a Southern Powerhouse to replicate what is happening in Manchester and elsewhere in the north of England was the basis for John Denham’s contribution to the conference.

The chair of the newly formed Southern Policy Centre think tank said: “We need a strong business voice in this debate.

“We need to decide whether we should be making the case for a southern powerhouse – we are not just a part of a greater London economy,” he said.

Kathy Slack, Director of Enterprise M3 LEP, said the region needed to be ambitious when discussing combined authorities.

Speaking about the Enterprise M3’s progress to date, she said: “We are focussing on the companies we already have here and working with them, helping them and supporting their supply chains.”

Keynote speaker David Smith, Sunday Times Economics Editor, said: “The South has many advantages, including two premier league football teams.

“The London effect is a two-way thing and from a strategic point of view this region needs to tap into the advantages. People can be attracted out of London to work in the South.

“I don’t think we should regard the Northern Powerhouse as a threat, the north and south should be united in determining our economic future,” he said.

Sally Thompson, CEO of Business South, said the organisation would be focusing on devolution and what it will mean for the region.

“It is vital that businesses have their say on devolution and what it will mean for the region.

“We are lucky enough to have many world class businesses already operating in this region and we want to see more businesses being able to expand onto the world stage,” she said.