Photo: The NGN Leadership Team. (L-R: Tim Pike (Managing Director of Northney Ice Cream, Hayling Island); Alan Mak MP; Giles Babb (Landlord , Blue Bell Inn, Emsworth); George Muir (Commercial Property Specialist, Fasset, Langstone Technology Park))
The Next Generation Network (NGN) was founded and launched by Alan in January 2015 to engage local young & mid-career professionals and business owners, aged (roughly) 25-40.
As a member of this group himself, Alan is determined to ensure that this group is not ignored in the decision-making process, and that they get together to learn from each other, from senior leaders, and work together to benefit the local community.
What is the NGN? Why is the NGN needed?
Young & mid-career professionals and business owners aged 25-40 are often not well represented in the political, civic or economic decision-making process. Yet this group faces a range of challenges - from career progression and raising a family to getting a foot on the housing ladder - whilst also having the potential to make a big difference in the community and to helping others.
The NGN aims to bring this group together to help them accelerate their careers through cross-sector networking and TED-style talks by inspirational figures. Alan also wants to strongly encourage - and support - NGN members to get involved in public and community life locally through charitable work and volunteering as school governors, charity trustees and the like.
Our aim is to engage young people in public policy so their voices are heard by key decision-makers, whilst also having fun, meeting like-minded people, learning from successful leaders from every field, and doing good locally.
Who can attend NGN events? Are they free?
The NGN is aimed at local young & mid-career professionals and business owners, living or working in the Havant constituency, aged roughly 25-40. Where events are over-subscribed, priority will be given to those living in the Havant constituency.
The Havant Parliamentary constituency consists of: Havant town centre, Langstone, Bedhampton, Stakes, Widley, Purbrook, Emsworth, all of Leigh Park, and all of Hayling Island. If you live or work in any of these areas, the NGN is for you!
Our January 2015 launch reception and March 2015 panel event were both free to attend due to the generosity of our sponsors. However, after these two introductory events, it is likely we will introduce a modest annual membership fee of around £50 per person to help us cover our costs, in return for free admission to around 3-4 high-quality events per year.
Is the NGN "political"?
No. The NGN was created during Alan's campaign to become Havant's next MP, but is NOT a political organisation. During the election campaign Alan promised to engage young people. That's why he set up the NGN. As our local MP, Alan will continue to support the NGN.
The NGN is open to all local young & mid-career professionals and business owners aged around 25-40 regardless of their party affiliation or voting intention, if any. By attending an NGN event you will not be automatically signing up to join the Conservative Party locally or nationally, and attendance will not be interpreted as an automatic endorsement of Alan's campaign.
The content of NGN events is not political. Instead, the focus is on relaxed networking, personal development, learning, and developing ideas for doing good for the local community. There won't be any Party political broadcasts! There will be drinks and canapes!
Who runs the NGN?
The NGN is for local young professionals - and run by local young professionals, and backed by a range of local businesses.
The NGN is Co-Chaired by two local young professionals and business owners: Giles Babb, Landlord of the Blue Bell Inn in Emsworth, and Tim Pike, Managing Director of Northney Ice Cream based on Hayling Island.
The NGN director is George Muir, a recent Portsmouth University graduate, who works at Fasset, the property mangement company based at, and which runs, Langstone Technology Park.
Alan Mak MP oversees the NGN, and provides strategic advice and direction for the NGN and its activities.