A NEW business network has been set up to celebrate the £300m-a-year contribution made by overseas students to the local economy.

More than 50,000 foreign students a year come to the local area – not only to language schools but to the area’s universities, colleges and boarding school.

The International Education Forum (IEF) of Bournemouth and Poole has formed an Executive Business Network, which will be launched on Friday, October 23, with Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns.

Bournemouth is the second largest provider of international education in the UK after London.

Robin Watson, an employment law and business immigration specialist at Laceys Solicitors, is among those involved in setting up the network.

He said: “We are astounded at the impact of international education in our local economy and the significance of this. As a group of professional businesses we are keen to offer support around immigration issues, legal services, banking and VAT.

“We are working closely with Saffery Champness Chartered Accountants, Santander and Bournemouth Borough Council, as well as working very closely with the IEF.”

Roger Wareham, partner at Saffery Champness, said: “This will assist an important industry here in Bournemouth and Poole with promoting further growth of the sector and to ensure that the accredited institutions in the area are provided the specialist support they require on the key issues being faced.”

David Jones, vice-chairman of the IEF and principal of ETC International College, said: “We are very excited about the formation of this new IEF Executive Business Network as it is the first time that the industry and its professional service partners have come together to work collaboratively for mutual benefit.”

He added: “The mix of the 50,000-plus students that are coming to Bournemouth and Poole is changing. We are attracting students across a wide range of ages, with many in their 30s, 40s and 50s who are all visiting for many different reasons. Many mature students are here to enhance their English to assist and progress in their careers.

“Anglo Continental School of English recently hosted a plastic surgeon and also the head of aviation security from the Ivory Coast.”

Bournemouth council leader Cllr John Beesley said: "We are very aware of the enormous contribution that the international education sector makes to local businesses and local people. This includes all those who host students in their homes, transport providers and shops and cafes.

“The institutions involved, from language schools to universities, are major employers in their own right and the students who attend them support the employment of many other people in the local tourism and other sectors through their secondary spending while studying in the area."