FinTech West Comes to the Jellicoe Theatre

A FinTech West series of seminars – or computer and IT programs and other tech used to support or enable banking and financial services – was hosted at the Jellicoe Theatre on the Poole campus on Tuesday, 25^th June. 

The FinTech West team held a large free event at Bournemouth and Poole College. FinTech West - South Coast tells us it is “a growing and vibrant community packed with enthusiasm”. It is open to all to join and get involved. It keeps the community abreast of any FinTech information or material from across the South Coast. The event provided plenty of opportunities for networking and collaboration. FinTech West opened with three main aims for the region: 1) To grow the number and scale of FinTech on the South Coast; 2) Get the South Coast on the national and International FinTech stage and 3. To increase investment to enable South Coast-based FinTechs to compete and win internationally. There was a real buzz in the room as Matthew Stammers of FinTech West whipped up the enthusiasm with the audience.

The morning started with Matt Lewis from Iplicit giving an insight into the accounting world for FinTech businesses – in particular supporting those middle-range businesses (Small and Medium Enterprises or SMEs). Next, Stuart Harrison from FinTech West put the position of the Western FinTech region within the context of the whole of the UK. Much talk was of remaining in the region, and not feeling the ‘need’ to go further such as London to reach the top of the FinTech reputation. 

Stuart Harrison, also of FinTech said: “FinTech is certainly starting to take off here in the West and the South Coast. We are finding solutions for our businesses and organisations that work in the financial sector globally, which are ingenious and creative. 

“Many of our 3,000-strong members in attendance today have been networking and sharing ideas and wins for their industries. It’s a pleasure to see the energy all around and although a very hot day for all involved – the FinTech West team are very pleased with how it went.” 

Other event speakers included Hannah Sprague (Eagle Labs) and David Mutton (Evolve), Bournemouth and Poole College’s Director of Learning; Creative and Digital Industries Stuart Palmer and Ben Lomas (Lecturer), who walked through the ‘Future Captains of the industry’. 

Next, was Gilbert van Roon, Managing Director of FinTech compliance, advising us not to be ‘complacent’ but most importantly ‘compliant’.  Joe Parkin (role?) of FinTech West then showed the group Funding and Finance Opportunities and Lauren Crawley-Moore, South Regional Manager from the London Stock Exchange introduced the stock exchange and its potential. Matthew Stammers and Stuart Harrison both then revisited their earlier theme of putting the South West on the FinTech map, rounding the day to a close. 

The college’s Stuart Palmer, organising the event at the Jellicoe with FinTech West colleagues said: “At Bournemouth and Poole College building great partnerships is a key part of our strategic focus. We do this for the benefit of all and with virtually every sector of our local and regional economy.  It was brilliant to host FinTech West on the South Coast in our wonderful Jellicoe Theatre. Powerful, thought-provoking and inspiring speeches filled our senses, it was a fantastic event.”

The next FinTech event will be held on 23 July 2024. For more information on FinTech West South Coast events: