A BID to bring together the best business brains from across Hampshire and the south coast has been given a boost by the opening of an excellence centre.

UKTI, Hampshire County Council and Bournemouth Borough Council teamed up to launch the South Coast Financial Services Centre of Excellence at an event attended by business people and dignitaries.

The initiative aims to encourage collaboration between existing businesses in the financial sector, as well as to drive growth for the region.

Organisers say that the opening event showcased the range of careers available within financial services and the opportunities and benefits of working and living in the south coast area.

Andrea Leadsom MP, economic secretary to the Treasury, said: “A key part of our long-term economic plan is to support a competitive financial services sector, not only in London but also in the rest of the country, where around two-thirds of the people employed across the sector work in a variety of roles.

“That’s why I’m delighted to launch the Financial Centre of Excellence on the south coast, which is a leading regional hub for financial and business services in the UK, providing over 130,000 jobs in the local area.”

The official launch was held at JP Morgan’s Bournemouth office.

Those present heard speeches from Bournemouth councillor John Beesley and Ms Leadsom about the opportunities in the sector, what the growth areas will be in future, and what skills and qualifications are required to enter the sector.

The south coast business region of Hampshire and Dorset, including Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Bournemouth and Basingstoke, employs more than 240,000 people in financial services, while 22 FTSE 100 companies have headquarters in the region.

Sue Langley, chief executive officer of UKTI Financial Services Organisation, said: “This will highlight the brilliant expertise and experience in our regions.

“It enables us to build on the wide range of skills and sophisticated infrastructure to ensure that the financial sector continues to create jobs and drive economic development and foreign investment in the UK’s regions.”