Silicon Beach Business Angels and UKBAA gather the angel investment community together in Bournemouth

On Wednesday 19th of June Silicon Beach Business Angels and UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA) held a conference called Angel Finance – the View from the South Coast in Bournemouth at the Pavilon Dance with some of the UK’s leading Angel Investing Experts in attendance. Mandy Payne, the President of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce is pictured here at the historic Russell-Cotes museum, where the evening Summer Party was held after the conference.

Roger Wareham from Saffery Champness, Jenny Tooth, the CEO of UK Business Angels Association, Steve Berry, the chairman of Silicon Beach Business Angels, Mandy Payne, the President of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Peter Eales, operating board director of Silicon Beach Business Angels

Mandy Payne commented on the event saying: “This is great for the town and local businesses to have senior advisers from The City and the world of finance who recognise the importance of the area and to come and be part of this significant event. The Chamber is happy to support helping entrepreneurs and investors working together.”

There was a variety of expert speakers from the investment and finance field at this conference. Jenny Tooth, the CEO of UKBAA introduced Kathryn Robertson, the senior policy adviser from HMRC. Tim Mills from the Angel CoFund explained how they match money provided by angel investors. James Austin from BGF said they provide money for medium sized SME’s whilst Lucy Tarleton from the London Stock Exchange explained how AIM can provide opportunities for growing companies making them public listings. Irene Graham from the British Banking Association explained how investors and investees are supported by the association.

Tony Williams, the CEO of Bournemouth Borough Council and Bill Cotton, the Director of Environment and Economy both spoke of the vibrant economy. Bill Cotton surprised the audience by pointing out how many younger people in their 20’s and 30’s live in the area compared to the national average and how in the UK, Bournemouth is in the top 10 for productivity, skills and qualifications, workforce growth, low unemployment, patents per 1000 population, businesses per 1000 population and start-up rates.

After two lively panel discussions the event continued in the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum for the Summer Party where Sir Merton Russell-Cotes welcomed the guests. The Gallery team gave tours of the museum and served wine and canapés in appropriate costume attire. Guests and the speakers of the event had a change to network in the gorgeous gallery with piano music on the background.

Chairman Steve Berry of the Silicon Beach said: “This event puts Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and Dorset firmly on the map for angel and venture capital finance. The big names were here. The London Stock Echange, banks, HMRC, City money lenders…They realise that we mean business!”

For more information on how to get involved with Silicon Beach either as an investor or to become one of our selected entrepreneurs, please visit our website http://www.siliconbeach.pro or contact Peter Eales on 01202 706 975.