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Throughout my life, sailing has taught me the value of ambition, resilience and the confidence to set a course towards something bigger than yourself. When I became the first person to complete a non-stop solo circumnavigation of the globe, it reinforced my belief that bold ambitions are worth pursuing. Portsmouth is a city that understands those qualities better than most.
As one of the world’s great maritime cities, Portsmouth has always looked beyond the horizon. It is a place shaped by exploration, innovation and a determination to take on challenges that others might shy away from.
That’s why I’m proud to support We Are Pompey 2029. This is an opportunity to showcase Portsmouth’s unique character, rich heritage and remarkable creativity, while demonstrating the ambition and confidence that continues to drive the city forward.
Becoming UK City of Culture 2029 would give Portsmouth a powerful platform to share its story with the nation and beyond. We are a city with global connections, extraordinary people and a bold vision for the future. I believe Portsmouth is ready to seize this opportunity and chart an exciting course for the years ahead.
Music has taken me all over the world and given me the privilege of performing alongside some of the biggest bands and artists in the world. Throughout my career, I’ve always been proud of my Portsmouth roots and the inspiration that came from seeing legendary artists across the city set me on my path. I owe a debt of gratitude to Pompey’s music-loving community and the venues across the area, which were known for supporting emerging local talent.
Portsmouth is a city full of talent, creativity and individuality, with a commitment to the arts. It’s a place where people are encouraged to forge their own path, where culture is woven into everyday life and where there is no shortage of ambition or support for local talent.
That’s why I’m delighted to support We Are Pompey 2029. This bid is an opportunity to celebrate not only our rich heritage and unique identity but also the incredible artists who continue to shape the city’s cultural life both today and in the future.
Becoming UK City of Culture 2029 would help shine a spotlight on our talent, inspire the next generation and show the country that Portsmouth is a city that appreciates and supports its talent and where creativity thrives.
Portsmouth has always been a city full of creativity. Not just in galleries and venues, but in its streets, neighbourhoods and the people who call it home. It’s a place where ideas take shape, where creativity flourishes in unexpected places, and where people aren’t afraid to do things differently. That’s why I’m proud to support We Are Pompey 2029.
Over the years, I’ve watched Portsmouth’s creative community grow in confidence and ambition. Through projects like Look Up Portsmouth and the incredible artists, makers, musicians and performers across the city, we’ve shown what can happen when creativity is given the space to thrive.
Becoming UK City of Culture 2029 will shine a spotlight on those voices and give Portsmouth the platform it deserves. We’re a city with remarkable stories to tell, and now is our chance to tell them to the world.
As a Portsmouth lad, born and raised in this great city, I am immensely proud to be a Patron for Portsmouth’s UK City of Culture 2029 bid. Portsmouth’s extraordinary maritime heritage has shaped not only our city, but my own life and the creation of Wetwheels, which I founded here in Portsmouth.
Through Wetwheels, thousands of disabled people, together with their families and friends, have been able to experience and enjoy our magnificent coastline, harbour and maritime heritage, often in ways they never thought possible. For me, culture must be something everyone can experience and be part of, including disabled and disadvantaged people who are too often excluded from everyday opportunities.
Portsmouth is a diverse, resilient and wonderfully distinctive waterfront city, and this bid is our opportunity to celebrate our remarkable past while showing the country what a genuinely inclusive and ambitious City of Culture can look like.
Portsmouth gave me my first opportunities to dream big. From training in local pools to competing on the world stage, I learned that talent can come from anywhere when people are supported, encouraged and given the opportunity to thrive.
That’s why I’m proud to support We Are Pompey 2029. This bid is about much more than culture for a single year, it’s about creating opportunities, inspiring ambition and helping more people believe in what they can achieve.
Portsmouth is a city full of creativity, resilience and heart. It’s a place where communities come together, where people look out for one another, and where there is an unmistakable sense of pride in who we are.
Becoming UK City of Culture 2029 would shine a national spotlight on everything that makes Portsmouth special while helping to create a positive legacy for future generations. Portsmouth has shaped who I am. I would love to see the rest of the country discover that Portsmouth is a place with the talent, passion and potential to achieve great things.
Portsmouth isn’t just where I’m from; it’s part of who I am. I’ve spent most of my life representing this city, and one thing I’ve always known is that in Portsmouth people stand together. We back each other, we’re proud of where we come from, and we never stop believing in our city.
That’s why I’m proud to support We Are Pompey 2029. This bid is a chance to celebrate everything that makes Portsmouth special: our people, our stories, our creativity and our community spirit.
We’re a city with real character, shaped by resilience, hard work and a fierce sense of identity. Becoming UK City of Culture 2029 would give us the opportunity to share that story with the rest of the country and inspire future generations.
Portsmouth has always punched above its weight. I believe we’re ready to show the nation exactly what Pompey is all about.
Founder, Natty’s Jerk
Natty is the founder of Natty’s Jerk, an award-winning Caribbean-inspired food business in the heart of Portsmouth. Through great food, warmth and community spirit, he brings a taste of the Caribbean to the city while creating a welcoming space for people to come together.
For Natty, Portsmouth is defined by its strong sense of belonging. The city’s distinct identity, shaped by its people, traditions, food and local pride, makes it unlike anywhere else. He supports the bid because it is an opportunity to give Portsmouth the recognition it deserves and encourage more people to experience what makes the city special.
Portsmouth in three words: Salt-of-the-earth (Natty gets an extra word!)
When he’s not serving up Caribbean flavours, you’ll often find Natty and his new puppy walking Portsmouth’s seafront on the new promenade.
Founder, Baked by Sweet Tooth
Luke Lovelace is the founder of Baked by Sweet Tooth, a Southsea-based micro-bakery known for its handcrafted bakes and growing presence across the city. Having returned to Portsmouth after time away, Luke has built his business on a passion for great food and a love for the city he proudly calls home.
For Luke, Portsmouth is a city full of character, independent businesses and hidden opportunities. He believes that being UK City of Culture 2029 would shine a spotlight on everything that makes Portsmouth special, helping more people discover the city while supporting local businesses to grow and thrive.
Portsmouth in three words:
Wow, good, innit
Luke thought his future was in London, but when the pandemic put those plans on hold, Portsmouth had other ideas. By staying in Pompey, he met his future wife and discovered that Portsmouth was exactly where he was meant to be. Love’s wow innit.
Founder, Love Southsea Market
Lulu Whitmore has spent nearly two decades creating markets and opportunities for local traders in Portsmouth. As the founder of Love Southsea Market, she has helped champion independent businesses, makers and entrepreneurs while creating vibrant community spaces that bring people together.
For Lulu, Portsmouth has spent years building a thriving culture of creativity, entrepreneurship and local pride. She believes being UK City of Culture 2029 would celebrate everything the city has achieved, create new opportunities for young people and businesses, and give Portsmouth the national recognition it deserves.
Portsmouth in three words: Beautiful. Resilient. Lucky.
Lulu and an entire pub serenaded Harry Redknapp after Portsmouth’s historic FA Cup victory! Watching the final from a packed Drift Bar, she phoned her friend Harry after the final whistle, and the whole pub joined in singing down the line to a chuffed Redknapp.
Visual Journalist, The News
Habibur Rahman helps bring Portsmouth’s stories to life through photography, video, podcasts and visual storytelling at The News. His work takes him across the city, meeting people from all walks of life and capturing the moments, voices and communities that make Portsmouth unique.
For Habib, Portsmouth is a city of stories, shaped by its diverse communities and rich mix of cultures. Through his work at The News, he sees every day how people from different backgrounds help make the city what it is. He believes being UK City of Culture 2029 would celebrate those stories, bring people together and showcase Portsmouth’s unique character to the rest of the country.
Portsmouth in three words: Passionate. Mush. Lovely.
Habid’s literally had a close call with none other than the late Queen Elizabeth II while photographing her on a royal visit to Portsmouth. Unsure of the correct protocol, he simply raised his camera and took a photo. Her Majesty smiled and replied: “You’re too close!” before walking on.
Creative Community Engagement Organisation
Seekers Create uses creativity to bring communities together, helping people of all ages, particularly young people, share their ideas, tell their stories and shape the future of Portsmouth. Through murals, pop-up activities and community projects, founders and directors Clair Martin and Steve Baker champion creativity as a way to connect people and celebrate local voices.
Seekers Create believes Portsmouth’s creativity is at its strongest in everyday moments and community-led experiences. They support the City of Culture 2029 bid because it will help uncover and nurture local talent, create opportunities for young people and empower residents to play a bigger role in shaping the city’s future
Portsmouth in three words: Trustworthy. Loyal. Proud.
Clair and Steve have their sights set on making Portsmouth the UK’s unofficial Doodle Capital, and they’re already planning a city-wide Doodle Fest to prove it.
Founder, SPARK Community Space
Becki Simmons is the founder of SPARK Community Space, a Portsmouth charity dedicated to helping people reconnect, rebuild confidence and “spark back into life”. Through a strong focus on wellbeing, belonging and community support, Spark creates welcoming spaces where people feel valued and empowered.
Becki believes Portsmouth stands out for its kindness, inclusivity and collaborative spirit. She is backing the bid because it offers a chance to celebrate the people and organisations that make the city thrive, while bringing new opportunities that can have a lasting positive impact across Portsmouth’s communities.
Portsmouth in three words: Kind. Courageous. Bloody fantastic.
Becki is a self-confessed lover of Pompey slang from “a bit of a scallywag” to “cushty mushty”; she proudly speaks fluent Pompey
Founder, Pauline Macarons
Originally from France, Pauline Genevet is the founder of Pauline Macarons, a Fratton-based business crafting handmade French macarons for wholesale customers, markets and events. Having called Pompey home for more than 15 years, she is a proud advocate for the city’s independent business community and creative spirit.
For Pauline, Portsmouth is a city that welcomes people from all backgrounds and gives them the opportunity to thrive. She believes being UK City of Culture 2029 would celebrate the city’s creativity, showcase its vibrant arts scene and help more people discover the talent, culture and character that make Portsmouth so special.
Portsmouth in three words: Seaside. Spinnaker. Dockyard.
French may be her first language, but Pauline has fully embraced Pompey slang. Her advice? “Hey, mush, don’t be too much of a dinlo!”
Chief Executive, Pompey in the Community
Clare Martin leads Pompey in the Community, Portsmouth Football Club’s official charity. Through programmes focused on health, education, inclusion and sport, she and her team use the power of football to create opportunities and make a positive difference across the city.
Clare sees culture as the thread that connects Portsmouth’s communities, whether through education, sport, heritage or local events. She is supporting the bid because it provides a platform to celebrate the city’s many stories, strengthen civic pride and inspire more people to engage with the place they call home.
Portsmouth in three words: Passionate. Community. People.
Having led countless tours of Fratton Park, Clare knows every corner of the stadium, including the spot where, long before smartphones and live score updates, carrier pigeons once delivered match reports from the press box to the local newsroom
Chief Operating Officer, Delivered Social | Portsmouth Ambassador Co-Lead | Express FM Presenter | Trustee for The Literacy Hub
Born and raised in Portsmouth, Terence Carvalho is a passionate advocate for the city and its communities. Alongside leading marketing agency Delivered Social, he supports Portsmouth through his ambassador work with Shaping Portsmouth and as a presenter on Express FM.
Terence believes Portsmouth’s greatest asset is its resilience and character. From its naval history to its independent spirit, he sees culture embedded across the city. He is backing the City of Culture 2029 bid because it has the power to attract investment, create opportunities and showcase Portsmouth’s creativity and ambition on a national stage.
Portsmouth in three words: Resilient. Determined. Proper.
Need a Portsmouth fact? Ask Terence. From Sherlock Holmes to Schwarzenegger, he’s full of stories that prove Portsmouth is sometimes stranger and more fascinating than fiction
Visual Artist
Roo Abrook is a Portsmouth-based visual artist whose work is rooted in the city’s creative community. Having lived and worked in Portsmouth for many years, Roo is passionate about supporting fellow artists and celebrating the creativity that can be found across the city.
For Roo, Portsmouth is bursting with creative talent. From visual artists and musicians to performers and makers, she believes the city is home to an incredible community of creatives whose work deserves to be seen and celebrated. Being UK City of Culture 2029 would create more opportunities for collaboration, raise the profile of local artists and inspire the next generation of creative talent.
Portsmouth in three words: Buildings. People. Sea.
One of Roo’s favourite Portsmouth tales is of a former Dockyard worker who used to cycle around the city with a monkey riding on the front of his bike. Strange, memorable and wonderfully Pompey.
