Who We Are

Southampton Port, © Solent LEP

Constitution

The Solent Forum was set-up by Hampshire County Council in 1992. It is an Unincorporated Association (UA). This means that it is:

A membership association
It has a constitution
It has a member voting system within its Steering Group

The Solent Forum Steering Group sets the work programme and budget and appoints the chairman. The Solent Forum host, Hampshire County Council, is responsible for proper financial control including auditing. It has an independent chair and is politically neutral.

Forum members are professional bodies such as local government, harbour authorities, industry, user groups, trade associations and NGOs. The Forum is not open to individuals, local residents associations or issue specific lobby groups.

To view existing members of the Forum please see our Members Directory.
Please download the Forum's Constitution for more information on how the Forum operates.
To find out what benefits membership please see our membership page.

Solent Forum Staff

Solent Forum Chair

Phil Horton was appointed in March 2025 and will serve until March 2028.

Phil is a Chartered Engineer and started his career working for the BBC. He later studied for an Environment MSc and moved to the Centre for Alternative Technology in mid-Wales, where he worked on sustainable building, renewable energy and water treatment alongside leading the development of a 2,000m² eco-education centre. After a further 7 years working for a renewable energy co-op, in late 2018 he moved to the Royal Yachting Association as its Sustainability Manager.

Solent Forum Manager

Kate Ansell is the Solent Forum Manager, she also leads the statutory Solent Marine Sites Scheme of Management.

Tel: 0370 779 6377

Student Work Placements

When staff resources allow we sometimes offer student work placements, mainly during the summer months.

Steering Group

The Solent Forum's steering Group is made up from its funding partners and it is chaired by an independent Solent Forum Chair. It meets twice a year to set the future direction of the work for the Forum. It oversees the Forum's Business Plan and Work Programme.

The Steering Group's terms of reference can be found in the Forum's Constitution.

Steering Group Members

Associated British Ports
Environment Agency
Hampshire County Council
Isle of Wight Council
Natural England
New Forest National Park Authority
King's Harbour Master, Portsmouth
Royal Yachting Association
University of Portsmouth

Solent Forum Chairs

Peter Barham MBE

Peter Barham MBE was appointed in 2014. He served until March 2025.

Professor Mike Clark

Professor Mike Clark served as Forum chair from 2004 to 2014. The Forum's student bursary award is named as the 'Professor Mike Clark' award in his honour.

Maldwin Drummond

Chair of the Forum from its inception in 1992 to 2004.