Board Members

Brian is the UK Business Development Director at BAE Systems Maritime and works in Portsmouth Naval Base. He brings a wealth of private sector experience to his role, with over 20 years’ experience in the Marine and Maritime sector at organisations such as Thales, Marconi and the aforementioned BAE Systems. Brian is also on the Board of the Society of Maritime Industries.

Councillor Gwen Robinson – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Lead for Affordable Housing, Communities and CIL at Havant Borough Council – was elected to Havant Borough Council in 2019.  Gwen is recently retired from a long and rewarding career working as a teacher in the Primary Sector.

A Hampshire man through and through, Rob’s career began as an engineering apprentice.  This led him to set-up his own small engineering firm.

Rob spent many years as a Winchester councillor, including Deputy Leader and Leader.  Since 2013, Rob has represented Bishop’s Waltham Division at Hampshire County Council and was the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy, Transport and Environment.  He became Leader of Hampshire County Council in May 2022.

He believes strongly in the mantra that local government must ‘join up the dots’ when approaching a new challenge and ensure that every avenue is pursued when a solution is being devised.

Richard Parkinson is the Port Director of Marchwood Port on the River Test. In 2016 Solent Gateway Limited (SGL) won a 35 year concession with the MOD to operate and re-develop the former Marchwood Military Port to expand its commercial capacity whilst providing port services to the MOD for its cargo vessels. Prior to joining SGL Richard spent his career in the Army, serving in a number of logistics roles including as Director of Logistics for the Army and Head Defence Support Chain Operations. Prior to leaving the MoD Richard was responsible for the largest transformation programme of the Defence Supply Chain for several decades. In 2019 he joined SGL to oversee port operations and lead its re-development.

Paula Swain is a Partner in national law firm Shoosmiths LLP, and heads the firm’s southernmost office located at the Solent Business Park.

Through her professional practice, Paula has access to a broad array of businesses operating in the Solent region, and a key part of her role as a Head of Office is to support and monitor the economy of the Solent region. Paula is particularly interested in how the development of 5G technology will assist the Solent region, together with new ventures from the region’s universities, smart manufacturing, maritime, aerospace and defence sectors.

A commercial litigator in her professional life, Paula is a supporting adviser and advocate for her clients across a broad range of disputes, and is a contributing author to Westlaw UK Insights. Paula read law at the University of Southampton, works in Whiteley and lives in Poole. She appreciates both the economic and lifestyle aspects of the Solent region. Paula is a passionate supporter for growth in the region.

Gerald Vernon-Jackson has been a Councillor in Portsmouth since 2003 where he represents Milton ward and lives in Southsea. He was born and brought up in Hampshire and has both a BA and MSc degree. He was Leader of the Council from 2004 to 2014, and regained the position in 2018. As Leader of the Council Gerald is responsible for Portsmouth International Port, which is the largest municipal Port in the country. He is also a Director of Portico Shipping.

Between 2005-2011 Gerald was LGA Liberal Democrat Deputy Group Leader, becoming Group Leader and LGA Vice-Chairman (member of LGA Executive and Leadership Board) from 2011-2017. Since 2017, Gerald has been Chair of the LGA Culture Tourism and Sport Board, a Member of the LGA Executive, and a Non-Executive Director of Local Partnerships Board. Gerald also sits on several outside bodies. He is Vice-Chair of Key Cities, a Director of the Solent Local Economic Partnership, and a member of the Tourism Alliance Board.

Prior to being elected to Portsmouth City Council, Gerald was a member at West Berkshire Council. Gerald is a member of the National Executive of the Liberal Democrats. He has worked for several organisations including IDEA, SOLACE, Leadership Centre, ALDC and Westminster Foundation for Democracy. He has also worked for David Rendel MP and for the Liberal Democrats nationally.

Alastair joined ABP as Regional Director for the Southampton Region in May 2016. Prior to joining ABP Alastair spent much of his career in the aviation industry, where his degree in mechanical engineering, along with his accountancy experience, enabled him to support airlines and airports worldwide in strategy formulation, business and performance development and restructuring. This experience has helped develop Southampton’s profile as the UK’s number one export port, Europe’s number one cruise turnaround port, and a critical link in supply chains serving businesses and manufacturers throughout the nation.

Cllr Sarah Bogle is a city centre ward Councillor in Southampton (Bargate) and is the Cabinet Member for Economic Development.  She has represented the city since 2006 in a wide range of roles including chairing Health Scrutiny, acting as a trustee of a local charity and serving on a local NHS trust.  Her working life began in the transport and logistics industry, mainly manufacturing logistics, much of which was based in the port, before moving on to change and project management roles in both private and public sectors.  Currently she works at the University of Southampton with Social Sciences academics in order to realise the real-world impact of their research.

Steve Thurston is the Head of Planning & Development at AGS Airports Ltd which owns Southampton International Airport. He has over 25 years’ experience in the aviation business working for both airports and airlines in planning and project management roles. Most recently, Steve led on the development of the Master Plan for Southampton Airport and subsequent runway extension as well as leading the development of Navigator Quarter tax site within the Solent Freeport.

Jill lives in Fernhill in the New Forest and has been Leader of New Forest District Council since November 2022, and a councillor for 22 years.

Her previous portfolio on the cabinet was housing and she is taking her drive for housing services and applying that to the bigger remit now she is Leader, keeping the district a vibrant and special place and maximising the opportunities for the Waterside and whole District from the Freeport opportunity.

Her focus is rooted in local communities and her aspiration is to see the area continue to thrive, working with partners to secure a vibrant and prosperous New Forest.

James Hassett joined the Solent Freeport as its first Chief Executive in June 2023. James has over 25 years’ experience leading organisations across a range of industries include in the Engineering Sector, Environmental Sector and Public Sector. His background and skills are in sustainable development, regeneration and economic development.