A free networking group, helping businesses in Bentham to connect and grow, welcomed business coach and CEO of the Skipton & Ripon Enterprise Group Andy Barton this month to share his valuable tips on boosting business performance with the aid of mentoring support.
Since its inception this summer, The Business Exchange has already grown to over 20 members, all keen to support each other, facilitate collaborations and raise their profile.
A former engineer and sales manager with the Wolseley Group, Andy Barton has run his own management consultancy Compass UK for over twenty-five years, and is also the Chief Executive of Skipton & Ripon Enterprise Group (www.SREG.co.uk) which offers free business mentoring to business owners throughout the region.
Andy talked to the members of the Business Exchange about the service offered through SREG and encouraged any local business leader who would like their business to develop and grow to consider applying for a free business mentor.
Andy Barton said about the new group “It’s fantastic to see enthusiastic business leaders give a little of their time in support of the local business community .Running your own business can be a pretty lonely affair, and this initiative enables local business leaders to meet, and share their issues, ideas and solutions.”
The idea behind the networking group came from Isabel Marshall, the forward-thinking manager of family run Wenningdale Leisure, who hosts the network’s monthly meetings in their clubhouse at Bentham Golf Club.
Isabel Marshall said, “The numbers of start-ups and established small businesses in the area is growing, and business support is important to help local firms continue to grow and become sustainable within our rural location. The Bentham Business Exchange aims to help facilitate collaborations, expand professional knowledge, generate new business and raise the profile of local firms. We were delighted to have Andy Barton, an expert in improving business performance, join us as our first guest speaker this month.”
The Business Exchange session take place monthly and the next event will be on 30th November from 4.30pm – 6.30pm, at Bentham Golf Club. It is free to attend with new members made welcome.
For more details contact Isabel Marshall T: 01524 262 455
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