ISLANDERS with bright ideas were given their first chance to meet with experts this week.

A surgery for the Schroders Bright Ideas competition, which is aimed at finding budding entrepreneurs, allowed entrants to pick up tips before completing their application form.

Schroders client manager Peregrine Pole-Carew said the meet was so successful they would hold another this Thursday.

‘I am really pleased with how it has gone,’ he said.

‘We had 15 people come in today [Thursday] for their slots and there is a lot of interest out there.’

The competition, which sees six experts from the island’s business world mentor candidates, was launched last month.

It has followed on from last year’s Bright Young Things, where James Turner’s Street Academy won a £5,000-cash prize.

The experts this year are entrepreneurs Tom Scott, Derek Coates and Gina Le Prevost; Chief Minister Lyndon Trott and former minister Stuart Falla; and Schroders chief executive officer Julian Winser.

Mr Pole-Carew said he had seen a variety of business projects.

‘The whole idea of this surgery is so people with ideas can discuss them and can have some direction in how they can expand and improve them.’

Paul Domaille, who launched Guernsey Electric Car Company, attended the surgery.

‘I had an idea three or four years ago to set up the business, but I had to do a lot of research,’ said the 53-year-old.

‘Nine months ago I started it up, but I need something to really kickstart it.’

He said that he had found the surgery helpful.

‘They have given me a few pointers and tips and it really has built up my confidence.

‘I can now go away and complete the application form knowing what sort of things I need to include.’