Press Release

21 August 2025

Rachel Jones appointed Solent Mitigation Partnership Manager

The Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rachel Jones as Solent Mitigation Partnership Manager, effective from Friday 11 July 2025.

Rachel brings extensive experience in environmental strategy, programme leadership, and stakeholder engagement, having held senior roles across the public and environmental sectors including Senior Advisor to Natural England and Principal Consultant (Nutrients) for the Planning Advisory Service. Her appointment follows a competitive recruitment process led by Fareham Borough Council, the employer authority for the role.

In her new role, Rachel will lead the delivery of strategic environmental mitigation initiatives, working closely with local authorities, national parks, developers, and community stakeholders. She will oversee the implementation of innovative solutions to address nutrient neutrality, biodiversity net gain, and habitat protection, ensuring that the Solent will be protected from the impact of development and supporting the region’s growth agenda.

Commenting on her appointment, Rachel said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Solent Mitigation Partnership at such a pivotal time. The opportunity to lead a team delivering meaningful environmental outcomes which protect the Solent while supporting sustainable housing development in the county is one I’m incredibly proud to take on. I look forward to working with our partners to deliver long-term, strategic solutions that benefit local people, the Solent and nature.”

Cllr Keith House, Chair of the Partnership for South Hampshire, said: “I am delighted that Rachel will be heading up the team. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will enable her to build on and grow the excellent foundations laid by the Partnership for South Hampshire in this important area of work that both protects our precious local natural environments and provides for sustainable growth.”

The Solent Mitigation Partnership was established in early 2024 through the Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) following successful funding from the government’s Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund. It is a key initiative under PfSH’s wider mission to support sustainable growth across South Hampshire by coordinating cross-boundary environmental, economic, and infrastructure strategies.

A key aspect of Rachel’s new role involves working across the 16 Hampshire local authorities comprising the Solent Mitigation Partnership to develop and implement coherent mitigation strategies that support sustainable development.

Rachel’s leadership will be key to expanding the Partnership’s reach and impact, supporting the delivery of high-quality placemaking and environmental outcomes across the South Hampshire area.

For more information about the Solent Mitigation Partnership, visit http://www.solentmitigationpartnership.co.uk.

ENDS