Conor attended an International Education Forum meeting to discuss business opportunities for international schools and the hospitality industry in Bournemouth. Bournemouth is, after London, the largest centre of language schools in the UK.
The IEF is a professional association, formed in 2015, which includes many of the two towns’ accredited language schools, an independent boarding school, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth Arts University, White House Guardianships and Bournemouth and Poole College. The shared goal of its members is to promote Bournemouth and Poole as a world class centre for excellence in international education and to represent members on various external committees.
Conor informed the audience, “I am delighted that the IEF and BAHA have started a detailed collaboration and conversations are being held. I have long recognised the value of the international education sector to Bournemouth and Poole - my maiden speech in the House of Commons was on the subject and I am acutely aware of the problems and issues that the sector faces and how competitive it is. The international education sector brings much vibrancy, culture and internationalism to Bournemouth and Poole and is certainly something for us to be very proud of.”