The thriving fintech hub of the South Coast has been the area’s best kept secrets for far too long.

Now is the time to reflect on the sectors humble beginnings, celebrate the remarkable experience and talent that exists in the area today and use it as a catalyst to accelerate the growth of the local economy.

Together we’ll explore the past, present and future of the fintech sector and unlock the huge potential.

The Welcome
Professor Alison Honour, the visionary Vice Chancellor of Bournemouth University will welcome attendees.

Less than six months into her role, Alison and her team have been busy creating a new strategic vision for the University. And, given what Bournemouth University is famous for, i.e. technology, professional services, business and marketing, means the institution’s role as a valuable conduit into and supporter of, the sector is rest assured.

The Past
Matt Desmier, one of BU’s Business Engagement Manager’s will set the stage.

Drawing on the experience he gained prior to joining the University, as a keynote speaker and leading evangelist for the digital economy, he will reveal some surprising stories that validate the areas credentials, which led to it being named the UK’s Fastest Growing Digital Hub in 2015

The Present

Julian Wells, of White Cap Consulting will then present the findings of the 2025 BCP+ Fintech Ecosystem ReportThe thriving fintech hub of the South Coast has been the area’s best kept secrets for far too long.

Commissioned by Fintech West, this report is an in-depth study into the local fintech ecosystem and offers a valuable snapshot into the state of the industry. White Cap Consulting have conducted similar studies into the fintech ecosystems of a number of UK regions and their ability to contextualise their findings will make this report particularly interesting .

The Future

Two panels of speakers, one drawn from the larger, more established financial services industry and the other from the fintech community, will discuss the wants and needs, the abundance of opportunities and what they believe, from operating at the coalface, the sector needs to fully achieve it’s true potential.

Panellists include:

Dawn Bebe, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Crowdfunder UK;
Ross Nichols, Co-Founder of Just Move In;
Mike Williams, Director of Technology Enablement at Vitality;
Tara Flynn, Co-Founder and COO at Ratio / Choose Wisely / Familio;
James Tucker, CEO of Twenty7Tec
*or Nathan Reilly, Director of Customer Relationships at Twenty7Tec

And Finally
To wrap the afternoon up, Stuart Harrison, the Director of Fintech West, will share with you an overview of the organisations broader mission, what they have planned for 2025 and how you can all get involved.

Date: 12th February, 1pm – 4pm

Location: The Share Lecture Theatre, Fusion Building, Bournemouth University

Parking is available in the Visitor and Events car park. Here is a map showing the car park and also the event location, the Fusion Building:

https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/about/contact-us/directions-maps/talbot-campus-interactive-map