Businesses, sustainability experts and young people came together in Basingstoke to explore green innovation, energy resilience and the opportunities of a more sustainable economy.
The fourth annual Unlocking Hampshire’s Green Potential (UHGP) conference, organised and hosted by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, featured expert speakers, exhibitors, a panel discussion and a dedicated STEM challenge for school students.
The one-day event, held at the Apollo Hotel, was designed with help from sustainability specialists and educators and aimed to explore how innovation and collaboration can help businesses become more sustainable, competitive and resilient.
On the agenda were discussions around energy security, decarbonisation, clean technologies and the skills needed to support Hampshire’s green transition.
Conference chair Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chairman of Hampshire Chamber, said:
"UHGP 2026 was a tremendous success and a real reflection of the enthusiasm and commitment that exists across Hampshire to build a greener, more sustainable economy."
“The event brought together an impressive mix of businesses, experts, innovators and young people, creating exactly the kind of conversations and connections that are needed to turn ambition into practical action."
“What was particularly encouraging was the focus on opportunities as well as challenges. From new technologies and more resilient energy solutions to developing skills, greener supply chains and innovative products and services, there is enormous potential for Hampshire businesses to benefit from the transition to a greener economy."
“We would like to thank everyone who took part - our speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and partners - for helping make this year’s event such a success. UHGP continues to grow in importance, and we look forward to building on the momentum created.”
Ross’s comments were echoed by Barry Smith, event organiser and Chair of Basingstoke for Hampshire Chamber, who said:
“It was fantastic to see so many businesses coming together to share experiences, discover new ideas and explore practical ways to achieve their environmental, social and governance (ESG) ambitions."
“From the exhibition and speaker sessions to the panel discussion and student challenge, there was something for everyone. Most importantly, we wanted attendees to leave with useful knowledge, fresh connections and ideas they could take back into their organisations.”
The conference programme featured contributions from Dr Paul Harvey, Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council; Dr Wendy Buckley of Carbon Footprint Ltd; Kaia Vincent of Basingstoke Business 4 Good; Mark Sanderson of Farnborough Airport; James Wilson of Sun-X; Rich Thompson of RJT International; Professor Sarah Marston of the University of Reading; Chris Daniels of AWE; Conrad Young of Q Factorial; Kerry Winter of Apex Training; and Tim Scrace of Scrace Architects.
A dedicated green innovation panel brought together representatives from STEM sponsor Manydown, Farnborough Airport, the University of Reading, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Apex Training.
The panel discussion explored the skills Hampshire businesses will need over the next five to ten years, the importance of closer collaboration between education and industry, and the opportunities offered by apprenticeships, retraining and developing the next generation of green talent.
Young people were firmly in the spotlight through a dedicated STEM session hosted by EBP South, AWE and Volker Fitzpatrick. More than 50 students from north Hampshire schools Bishop Challoner, Dove House Academy, Chiltern Way Academy and Robert May’s took part in a challenge to write an article for publication exploring sustainable communities and future green careers.
Alongside the conference programme, the Green Expo provided an opportunity to discuss sustainable products, services and solutions, meet specialists and explore potential partnerships.
Networking was supported by NetWorKing, an AI-powered platform which helped participants identify relevant contacts, find conversation starters, exchange contact details and voice notes and receive a personalised post-event report to support ongoing engagement.
UHGP’s headline sponsor was Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Other sponsors included Farnborough Airport, STEM sponsor Manydown (Urban & Civic) and Greenhouse Graphics.
Photo: From left: Barry Smith, chair of Hampshire Chamber’s Basingstoke business strategy group; Dr Paul Harvey, Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council; Mark Sanderson, Farnborough Airport; and Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive and Executive Chairman.
