On 7^th June 2018, LoveLove Films held the Innovation in a Digital Era event with HSBC at the exclusive private island 5 star resort Spitbank Fort. The goal of the day was to bring together business leaders who want to utilise Digital Innovation in their organization to hear insights from top thought leaders on what can be a complicated and ever changing landscape.

Digital Innovation is reinventing organisations throughout the world and the pace of change over the past few years has been greatly significant with businesses accelerating their Digital Innovation at an astonishing rate. The Innovation in a Digital Era  event was split into two sections with two different groups, beginning with a beautiful boat trip from Portsmouth quay as attendees networked on the deck and basked in the glorious views.

On arrival to Innovation in a Digital Era Head of Corporate Banking Hampshire and Dorset Anthony Reed greeted the guest with a champagne reception before guests received a tour of the Spitbank Fort. The Spitbank Fort is a sea fort built as a result of the 1859 Royal Commission. The fort is one of four important historical forts built as part of the Palmerston Forts constructions. In recent years the fort has been transformed into a luxury private island retreat surrounded by dramatic architecture from the fort’s exciting history.

The guests were then treated to a networking lunch before speakers took to the stage in the fort’s lookout, which boasts panoramic views of the Solent. Speakers included an array of  impressive innovators and business owners including LoveLove Films’ very own MD  Georgina Hurcombe, Jay Patel from Day Lewis pharmacy and David Sanderson from Sky.

The first group of guests then departed whilst the evening guests gathered excitedly on land to meet the boat. LoveLove Films and HSBC welcomed the second group to the Innovation in a Digital Era event who let their hair blow in the wind as they networked enthusiastically on the boat to the fort.

After a networking champagne reception, the guests were given a tour of the Spitbank Fort and treated to a lavish 6 course dinner where our key note speaker Mark O’Neill discussed what digital transformation and innovation was to him and how he applies it in his dynamic government role. Mark shared personal experience of the challenges of transformation, successes and failures, and proven practical ways of keeping yourself, your people and your business going in times of continual change.

In good old Naval fashion, the guests were then invited to rum tasting around a roaring fire as they reflected on the new connections and insight from the days event before the guests where whisked back to land. And thankfully, no one fell overboard!

“It was wonderful to be able to connect such a range of great businesses together and to share and debate some of the challenges and opportunities which present themselves at the current time. Global innovation in technology is changing the way businesses operate and interact at such a rapid pace, both with customers and colleagues. So keeping up to date and sharing successful ways of implementing and innovating ideas is vital.”– Anthony Reed, Head of Corporate Banking

Feedback from Guests included:

“Thank you so much Georgina and all at LoveLove Films and HSBC for a super day last Thursday at the amazing venue on the stunning and historic 5 Star venue Spitbank Fort, Portsmouth. Inspirational talks from business leaders, entrepreneurs and public sector experts, finishing with a superb 6 course dinner and Q&A. It was great to mix with so many other senior business people from diverse sectors, stimulating discussion and plenty of business cards swapped. I came away with a big smile, new friends, and new insight on the exponential growth of opportunities to engage and build business in the unprecedented era of digital innovation.” – Duncan Hiller, Hedge Plus Impact

“Innovation in a Digital age is a key challenge for business in all sectors today.  If you don’t innovate your competitors or new entrants to your market will,  so the need to keep reinvesting your firm, its processes and products is greater today than ever before.  This event had a great mix of speakers looking at Digital Innovation from a range of angles including practical steps that each and every business could take to help them on their digital transformation journey.  There was a buzz around the attendees with people clearly thinking about what the subject meant for them.  The location in the middle of the Solent was a great venue, and gave all of the attendees a fresh view but to me reinforced the need to look at things differently.” – Roland Emmans, HSBC

“The event was really well run with some great content delivered in the best possible setting. One of the very best events I have ever been to; met some really interesting people, learned some new stuff and drank a little rum! Count me in for the next one!” – Barry Kick, Fifty Points North

“Hands down the best event I’ve been to all year! Featuring a brilliant keynote from Mark O’Neill from the Department of Education. Thanks to LoveLove Films and HSBC for organising this fantastic event!” – Jon Mason, Jollywise

We would like to thank HSBC UK for their support as an organisation as well as working together to put together a truly insightful and wonderful event!