Living And Working In Portsmouth

Portsmouth is in the county of Hampshire and is situated on the south east coast of England. It is only 70 miles from London and is well connected by rail, road and sea. Southampton Airport is the nearest airport to Portsmouth while the much larger Gatwick Airport is a little further away.

Portsmouth is a port city and holds a strong affinity (which goes back centuries) with the Royal Navy which is why you will often hear Portsmouth being described as ‘Home of the Royal Navy’. The Portsmouth International Port is a major UK port and has the responsibility of both cargo and passengers. This busy Port has recently secured a multi million pounds grant from ZEVI, allowing the port to embark on a groundbreaking decarbonisation project and assist with the city’s ambition to reach net carbon neutral by 2030. The SEA CHANGE project will design, build and operate a shore power system across the three busiest berths, allowing for ferries and cruise ships to use green electricity to run their onboard systems and has the potential to revolutionise the Maritime sector within the UK.

Portsmouth Naval Base is home to many of the Royal Navy's surface ships and the base continues to be a major employer within the city.  It is a world renowned and highly respected city for many major sectors which include marine and maritime sectors, advanced manufacturing and engineering, aerospace and defence, environmental technologies, I.T, healthcare, retail and digital and creative.  Hospitality plays a vital role in Portsmouth due to the huge amount of tourism, drawing in millions of visitors a year.

Portsmouth presents a compelling environment for business and investment, actively promoting economic business development and investment initiatives. Furthermore, the city’s commitment to sustainable development, aligns with many modern business practices which further enhance its appeal.

The extremely popular and multi award winning University of Portsmouth attracts students from all over the world and excels in many areas including research. Recently it has earned prestigious international business accreditation placing the university among the world’s best business schools. This young university is on the rise and has been given 5 stars by the QS World University Rankings for teaching, employability, internationalism, facilities, art and culture as well as inclusiveness!

The historic south west side of the Naval Base allows members of the public to explore and admire maritime attractions such as The Mary Rose, HMS Warrior and HMS Victory and several extremely interesting museums and galleries offer exciting insights into days gone by, often with a maritime theme. Many historic buildings are still standing, having been well cared for and maintained over the centuries.

There are five beaches that are in and around Portsmouth and Gosport is just across the harbour from Portsmouth, only five minutes on a ferry which also has a strong and interesting Naval connection.

Gunwharf Quays is a modern outlet shopping centre, both indoor and outdoor and has many shops, bars and restaurants. More traditional and high street shops as well as a fantastic selection of bars, cafes and restaurants are found in the ever popular Portsmouth city centre and Portsmouth has a vibrant nightlife.

There are an abundance of things to see and do here - many of the museums and galleries have a maritime or military connection. The Spinnaker Tower which is an observation sky garden and viewing platform is an interesting experience with views that can stretch over twenty miles on a clear day.

The city has plenty of spectacular countryside surrounding it which  include the New Forest, The South Downs National Parks and the Isle of Wight which is easily accessible by hovercraft or ferry and is popular with day trippers and holiday makers.

Portsmouth offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern opportunities. The maritime heritage is ever present and residents enjoy a coastal lifestyle with beautiful beaches. Thriving industries provide a dynamic jobs market making it an extremely desirable place to pursue career ambitions and to ensure a high standard of living.

The next event being hosted by the UK Careers Fair will be held on April 19th between 10am - 2pm. The venue is Portsmouth Guildhall, PO1 2AB. This beautiful Grade II listed building was completed in 1890 but after being bombed during the Second World War, it was carefully rebuilt during the 1950’s. It now operates as a concert, wedding and conference venue and is managed by the Guildhall Trust.