In this special edition of the Let’s Talk South Coast podcast, recorded live at Greenways Business Park in Chippenham, host Nella Pang explores how place, people and infrastructure come together to support high-growth businesses across life sciences, cyber, defence and emerging technologies. This episode brings together voices from health innovation, cyber resilience and workspace development to unpack what ambitious SMEs really need to scale sustainably.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Supporting health and care innovators to commercialise ideas, access funding, and navigate NHS procurement with confidence.
• Why cyber resilience is becoming a core business function, and how collaboration and shared learning strengthen regional security.
• The growing demand for flexible, mixed-use spaces including wet labs, dry labs and adaptable offices that evolve with business growth.
• How connectivity, green environments and community-led campuses help attract and retain talent outside major city centres.

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• Health Innovation West of England
• Business Cyber Centre (BCC)
• Swindon and Wiltshire Business and Growth Hub
• NHS England
• Office for Life Sciences

Shoutouts:

• Health and care innovators tackling complex challenges and improving patient outcomes.
• Cyber professionals building trusted networks to strengthen SME digital resilience.
• Universities and spin-outs driving regional innovation across life sciences and tech.
• Landlords and operators creating people-first environments where businesses can truly thrive.

About Our Contributors:

Alex Leach
Representative from Health Innovation West of England, supporting innovators to refine value propositions, access funding, and successfully scale solutions within the NHS.

Christina Avison
General Manager at the Business Cyber Centre (BCC), championing proactive cyber security, collaboration and accessible support for businesses across the M4 corridor and beyond.

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Twitter: @omega_renews
Instagram: @omegare.re
Facebook: @omegare6

Let’s Talk Purpose
Interested in being a guest or sponsoring an upcoming season?
We’d love to hear from you: hello@omega-re.co.uk

In this special feature of the Let’s Talk South Coast podcast, recorded live at Greenways Business Park in Chippenham, host Nella Pang is joined by a panel of experts to explore the practical opportunities and challenges for SMEs in 2025 and 2026. This episode moves beyond high-level headlines to discuss how businesses can foster resilience through talent development, technological adoption, and smart real-estate strategies.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Focusing on internal development through leadership training, AI adoption, and leveraging fully funded apprenticeships for young people.
• Moving from reactive to proactive security through the Business Cyber Centre and sharing challenges via the Swindon and Wiltshire Cyber Cluster.
• Technical strategies for converting traditional offices into "wet" or "dry" labs, focusing on ventilation standards and cost-effective design.
• Navigating the post-budget financial climate and interest rates while utilising the strategic transport links of the M4 corridor.

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• McFeggan Brown / Kastner
• Business Cyber Centre (BCC)
• Swindon and Wiltshire Business and Growth Hub
• Innovate UK
• National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
• Health and Innovation West of England

Shoutouts:

• Skills and growth units providing essential signposting and diagnostic support to help SMEs navigate the complex business landscape.
• Cyber professionals and clusters collaborating to share challenges and build stronger local digital resilience.
• Scientific innovators focusing on life-changing research while trusting expert partners to build the specialised infrastructure they need.
• Forward-thinking landlords who support business growth by offering flexible fit-out solutions and rentalised investment options.

About Our Panelists:

Mark Berrisford-Smith

A semi-retired independent economist and former Head of Economics at HSBC who provides "nuts and bolts" analysis of finance, debt management, and the UK's economic landscape.

Chris Stevens

The Head of Business Support at the Swindon and Wiltshire Business and Growth Unit who delivers economic development strategies and programs across the local authority areas.

Geoff Biggs

A laboratory specialist at McFeggan Brown and Kastner who provides expert advice on converting commercial assets into technical and scientific workspaces.

Christina Avison

The General Manager at the Business Cyber Centre (BCC) who advocates for proactive digital resilience and provides accessible security toolkits for growing businesses

Follow Us On

• Twitter: @omega_renews
• Instagram: @omegare.re
• Facebook: @omegare6

Let’s Talk Purpose
Interested in being a guest or sponsoring an upcoming season?
We’d love to hear from you: hello@omega-re.co.uk

In this limited edition series in partnership with Greenways Business Park, this episode of Let’s Talk Greenways Business Park, host Nella Pang is joined by Mark Berrisford-Smith, former Head of Economics at HSBC, to cut through the headlines and unpack what the Autumn Budget really tells us about the UK economy. Together, they explore the realities behind debt, growth, taxation and confidence — and what it all means for businesses trying to plan, invest and grow in an uncertain climate.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• What the Autumn Budget reveals about the true state of the UK economy
• Why high public debt and low productivity continue to hold back growth
• The impact of tax burden, inflation and interest rates on consumer confidence
• Why recovery feels slow — and what’s preventing spending from bouncing back
• How global pressures, geopolitics and trade tensions affect UK outlooks
• The role of business investment in driving long-term economic recovery
• Why planning, skills, energy costs and infrastructure remain key constraints
• What businesses should realistically prepare for over the next few years

Companies & Organisations Mentioned:

• HSBC
• UK Government / HM Treasury
• Bank of England
• UK business and financial institutions
• International trade and global markets

Shoutouts:

• Business leaders navigating uncertainty with pragmatism and resilience
• Economists and analysts helping translate policy into real-world impact
• SMEs and organisations continuing to invest despite economic headwinds

About Our Guest:

Mark Bairus-Hissner
Former Head of Economics at HSBC, Mark brings decades of experience analysing global and UK economic trends. In this episode, he offers a grounded, honest assessment of the Autumn Budget and the structural challenges shaping the UK’s economic future.

Follow Us On

Twitter: @omega_renews
Instagram: @omegare.re
Facebook: @omegare6

Let’s Talk Purpose
Interested in being a guest or sponsoring an upcoming season?
We’d love to hear from you: hello@omega-re.co.uk