A SOCIAL media expert has been recognised as one of the area’s top entrepreneurs – at the age of 18.

Mitchell Stuart, founder of Inferno Media in Bournemouth, recently received the Entrepreneur Star award at the Rock Star Awards.

His expanding company is currently the first search result for anyone Googling the words “social media Bournemouth”.

Mr Stuart went to Millfield School in Somerset but left after GCSEs.

His business has secured clients such as FJB Hotels, Aruba, Westbeach and Rock Recruitment.

“There are a lot of companies in the industry that offer multiple services – web design, SEO, pay per click," he said.

"I’m passionate about offering only social and making sure it’s the best around.

“We specialise in social media marketing and that’s all we do.”

He said he had been able to win high profile clients by demonstrating the benefits of outsourcing their social media campaigns.

“A lot of people in the industry do lengthy contracts, about 12-18 months. I don’t really like contracts,” he said.

“I work on a two-month notice period. We’re very much results driven.”

He was recently asked by Angela Fletcher, chairman of the Institute of Directors Dorset, to join her committee to raise the profile of young entrepreneurs in the county.

He intends his six-person business to reach 10 staff by next year.

“I’m a man with a mission – I want to create 50 team members in the next three year,” he said.

“We do a lot of things together. We go for lunch and coffee. I treat them as I’d like to be treated. If I treat my team members well and respond and engage with them, they’re going to work hard.

“If they’re not motivated, I’m not motivated.”