Bournemouth: Former school teacher appointed as Barclays Eagle Labs manager

Barclays has appointed former secondary school teacher Matthew Sedgley as its new Eagle Labs manager at County Gates, Bournemouth. 

Sedgley will be responsible for supporting start-up businesses at the bank’s newly-launched Eagle Labs MakerSpace, by providing access to the tools they need to rapidly produce and test prototypes, which can significantly reduce the time and cost taken from concept to market.

Sedgley, who has a design and technology degree with QTS, will bring his vast knowledge and experience of laser cutting and 3D printing into the organisation to support users at the Lab.

Caroline Burley, head of Barclays business and corporate banking, Bournemouth, said: "We’ve created Barclays Eagle Labs because technology is transforming the speed with which start-ups can grow and scale up. Matthew’s new appointment along with our financial expertise will provide a practical resource to help many local businesses succeed.”

Barclays Eagle Labs aim at bringing together entrepreneurs to help them scale-up their propositions and is just one of a series of measures Barclays has put in place to support high growth and entrepreneurs across the UK.  Barclays has announced plans to develop a national network of Eagle Labs, with sites now launched in Brighton, Birmingham and Cambridge.

Sedgley added: “I am relishing the challenge of driving forward the use and profile of the Barclays Eagle Labs in Bournemouth and reaching out to entrepreneurs, local schools, universities and the local business community to highlight the exciting space and opportunities on offer.”
The Eagle Lab also hosts digital Tea and Teach, Code Playground and LifeSkills sessions benefiting the wider community across all age groups.

Contact: bournemoutheaglelabs@barclays.com