Investors, entrepreneurs and partners gather for an evening of connection, fine wine and inspiring insight
Dorset Business Angels (DBA) brought together its distinguished network of high-net-worth investors, valued sponsors and guests for its eagerly anticipated annual Spring Drinks Evening, held at Renoufs wine bar in Southbourne. The evening buzzed with energy from the moment doors opened, as a vibrant and eclectic mix of business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors filled the room, all united by a shared appetite for conversation, connection and opportunity.
Now in its fourteenth year, DBA has established itself as a cornerstone of the Dorset investment community, with a clear and focused mission: to connect sophisticated, high-net-worth investors with quality investment opportunities, and to support them in making better, more informed, risk-assessed decisions. The Spring Drinks Evening exemplified this ethos, blending serious investment purpose with the warmth and camaraderie that defines the DBA community.
An Evening of Wine, Conversation and Community
Guests enjoyed a curated wine tasting, expertly facilitated by the team at Renoufs, before being treated to an elegant spread of cheeses and accompaniments. The setting proved the perfect backdrop for the kind of rich, spontaneous conversation that DBA events are renowned for: deals discussed, ideas exchanged, and friendships deepened.
Opening proceedings, Don McQueen, Chairman of Dorset Business Angels for twelve of the organisation’s fourteen years, set a warm and purposeful tone for the evening. He welcomed members, sponsors and guests, and reminded the room of what makes DBA distinctive, not just the quality of investment opportunities it curates, but the spirit of community, fun and mutual support that underpins everything it does.
Special thanks were extended during the evening to the sponsors whose generous support makes events like this possible: Rathbones, Ellis Jones Solicitors, The TC Group, Barclays Eagle Labs and the FSE Group. Appreciation was also expressed to the Renouf’s team for their hospitality, to Paul Smart for his diligent organisation of the event, and to Peter Eales in his role as Managing Director.
Keynote Address: Simon Hawtrey-Coombs
The highlight of the evening’s programme was a keynote address by Simon Hawtrey-Coombs, entrepreneur, President of Bournemouth Rugby Club, and Co-Founder of the flourishing peer2peer business community platform, peer2peer Boards and Conventus Boards.
Simon built his DPD UK franchisee operation from the ground up into a business turning over in excess of £30 million, which he successfully exited in 2025, a journey, he reflected, that taught him everything from the raw energy of a start-up to the sophisticated disciplines of managing scale, culture and the exit process. He now channels those hard-won lessons into helping others build purpose-driven businesses through community.
His address, laced with storytelling, wit and genuine warmth, centred on a powerful and deceptively simple theme: the real differentiator in business and life is not a list of achievements, but how you make people feel.
Drawing on a deeply personal note from someone whose life he had quietly impacted, Simon made the case that small acts of kindness —what he termed “tiny noticeable things”—are the intentional, thoughtful gestures that elevate the customer experience from the ordinary to the exceptional. He challenged every business leader in the room to identify specific, concrete actions that would meaningfully move the needle for their clients and teams.
Simon also shared a framework for sustainable success built around three pillars: Harmony, Health and Happiness, and a five-part model for business leaders seeking to inspire investor confidence, encompassing Clarity, Execution, Growth, Culture and Energy. His reference to the power of authentic leadership, illustrated by the example of Jack Taylor, founder of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, who placed the customer journey and the people who deliver it at the absolute centre of his organisation, drew a knowing response from an audience well-versed in the gap between corporate mission statements and genuine culture.
Curious About Becoming a Member?
Membership is £30 per year and provides access to four in-person pitch events annually, along with valuable connections through our sponsor network and wider community.
If you are interested in joining a supportive and well-connected investor community, you can find out more and apply here.
Next Event
The next DBA pitch event takes place on Monday May 11th at the Bournemouth Carlton Hotel in Bournemouth.
We will also be running our additional optional Lead Angel Investor Workshop for existing angel investors who wish to learn more about the lead investor process. FREE for DBA Members and £25 for non-members.
Registration is now open with full details on our Eventbrite page.
About Dorset Business Angels
Founded in 2013, Dorset Business Angels brings together investors and entrepreneurs to accelerate the growth of early-stage companies. As a member of the UK Business Angels Association and signatory to the Investing in Women Code, DBA hosts quarterly pitch events and provides a supportive ecosystem for both investors and founders. Entrepreneurs interested in pitching at future events should visit dorsetbusinessangels.co.uk for more information.
