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Portsmouth Distillery Founding Director Giles Collighan is raising a glass of his award-winning rum to Solent Partners after successfully completing a Digital Marketing Skills Bootcamp and explains how it has had "a real impact, raising awareness of my business and engaging with more customers.”

Giles signed up for the Skills Bootcamp course with the aim of moving the Portsmouth Distillery's digital marketing in-house and establish a robust social media strategy which would take the business forward. He said: “The training took me from learning the brass tacks to the more complex side of social media marketing.

"We’ve already started to see positive changes within the business as we’re properly planning ahead with our social media posts to raise awareness of our products and engage with people, for example by running competitions, then following up with emails to build up customer loyalty.”

“The most valuable thing I took from Bootcamp was gaining an understanding of the full journey the customer will take - from initially becoming aware of the company through social media and using online tools to make a buying decision, to maintaining customer loyalty afterwards.

Founder Giles Collighan at Portsmouth Distillery

“I’d definitely recommend the Skills Bootcamps to any business owner. You need to apply yourself 100% - there are big deliverables, but you will get back every bit of effort you put into it in terms of the benefit it has for your business.”

Solent Partners Chair, Rachael Randall, said: “It's fantastic to hear the real world impact Skills Bootcamps are having and to hear how those who have completed the courses are benefitting from the skills they've learned.

“The Skills Bootcamp programme is a fantastic opportunity for anybody wanting to improve their career skills, and for businesses wanting to future-proof their workforce

“Our excellent courses are designed with industry to respond to skills shortages in the region and align with Solent Partners’ ambitions to promote the collective prosperity and sustainability of the Solent economy.”

Solent Partners Digital Marketing Skills Bootcamp was delivered in partnership with YTKO.

Future Skills Bootcamp courses, including new courses aimed at the creative and other sectors, will be announced shortly.

Look out for more details on Solent Partners social media, sign up for its online newsletter and visit the Solent Partners website: https://solentpartners.com/our-services/business-support/skills-bootcamps/

Solent Partners, is the new, re-energised partnership that will bring local industry, academic and civic leaders together in the Solent. It aims to provide what’s needed to deliver the kind of prosperity, profitability, and sustainability that’s only possible when energised leaders come together.

Find out more about Solent Partners online at www.solentpartners.com

Award-winning gin maker from Portsmouth praises training boost