British yachting legend Sir Ben Ainslie took time out from his America’s Cup campaign to take the helm at an office opening ceremony.

The four-time Olympic gold medallist cut a cake to launch the new South Coast office of KPMG, Gateway House in Chandler’s Ford.

The firm, which offers audit, tax and advisory services, are an official partner to Ben’s Land Rover BAR team which is bidding to win the America’s Cup for Britain for the first time.

At a Q&A session for staff Ben explained that he had secured £80m in backing for the America’s Cup challenge and as team principal he was now spending as much time in the board room as on deck.

KPMG’s 120 staff moved out to Gateway House, which is handy for the M3 and M27, from Dukes Keep in Southampton’s Marsh Lane in August.

The firm has 22 offices around the UK and this is the first to feature an “Enterprise space” for businesses to drop in and use at anytime, free of charge and without pre-booking.

The space includes three closed offices, a large meeting room, and pods where people can hook up their computers and work in peace and quiet.

Decor has been designed to reflect the local area and includes a carpet which is meant to represent the runway of nearby Southampton airport, rooms with coast themes and walls covered with images of sails and trees.

Will Smith, senior partner for KPMG’s South Coast office, says: “We are delighted with our new, spacious, innovative working environment. KPMG has had an office on the South Coast since 1974 and this investment marks our commitment to build new relationships and expand our existing partnerships with the region’s flourishing business community allowing us to continue working with a range of businesses, from family-owned and private equity-backed businesses through to AIM-listed and FTSE 250 companies.”