AROUND 100 people gathered to discuss how best to support entrepreneurship on the south coast.

Entrepreneurs, students and a cross-section of the community were at the evening hosted by Barclays and chartered accountants Saffery Champness.

The event, at Bournemouth University’s Executive Business Centre, saw a panel of enterprise experts discuss such topics as the challenges founders face in the current environment and what more can be done by the government and large corporations to support the entrepreneurship ‘ecosystem’.

Panellist Richard Phelps, managing director at Barclays, said: “The aim of the event was to bring together a really diverse mix of people from all areas of the business spectrum – everything from students taking their first steps on their entrepreneurial journey, to fully-fledged SME owners and people from the professional services sector – to see how we can work together to ensure entrepreneurship in the region thrives.”

Three local start-ups were given the opportunity to showcase their companies: el RHEY, designers of children’s rainwear; Cub-Bee-Hole, a start-up from Bournemouth University with an innovative approach to housing for bumblebee nests; and independent development company Static Games, founded by Bournemouth University students who grew their business in its incubator.

Craig Jamieson, regional director of Barclays Wealth and Investment Management in Bournemouth, said: “A recent Tech City report revealed that Bournemouth has become the UK’s fastest-growing region in the digital economy. Our latest Barclays Entrepreneurs Index also found that the number of new start-ups in the wider South West region has grown by three per cent year-on-year to reach over 200,000 – testament to what a great place the region is to do business in.

“We have had some brilliant feedback on the event, which is just one of many initiatives we have planned to help support entrepreneurs on the South Coast.”

Nick Fernyhough, partner at Saffery Champness said: "The evening was an interesting insight into how business in Bournemouth is rapidly changing, with more people wanting to start their own business and follow their own ideas, rather than taking steady employment at larger companies."

The other panellists were Southampton-based Matt Macri-Waller, founder and CEO of award-winning online employee benefits provider Benefex, who gave the keynote address; Bournemouth University alumna Georgina Hurcombe, founder and MD of Lovelove Films; and Nigel Jump, professor of regional economic development at Bournemouth University.