Membership organisation sees it’s mentoring programme double since lockdown

Connect Yorkshire, Yorkshire’s leading not-for-profit business membership organisation, has pivoted towards the new way of working, offering more mentoring sessions than ever before and helping to support Yorkshire based business owners through this difficult time.

Set up to support the Yorkshire Business community, Connect Yorkshire helps ambitious business owners across the county grow their business through direct access to some of Yorkshire’s leading entrepreneurs. Its Entrepreneurs in Residence offer support and advice through a range of programmes including; 1-2-1 mentoring, masterclasses, training seminars and peer to peer board groups.

Recently joining their Entrepreneurs in Residence is Mark Hammond, founder of Naughtone, designer and manufacturer of beautiful high-quality contract furniture and Econ Engineering Director, Andrew Lupton. Mark and Andrew will bring a wealth of knowledge to the Entrepreneurs in Residence network. They will join leading businessmen and women from across the region including Bayford Group Chief Executive and serial entrepreneur, Jonathan Turner and CNG Managing Director, Jacqui Hall.

This year has seen new partner Professional Energy Purchasing become a part of Connect Yorkshire, who have been helping businesses save thousands on their energy bills.

They work with all major utility companies in the UK to leverage the best prices for gas, electricity, and water. They can also provide independent energy audits for businesses to identify potential savings through alternative renewable energy solutions and provide energy funding advice.

Insurance Brokers AON have renewed their Partnership after the integration with Hendersons.

Aon is proud to support Connect Yorkshire as their exclusive Insurance Broker Partner in Yorkshire.

We look forward to working with their members and entrepreneurs, sharing our knowledge and insights with some of the fastest growing companies across Yorkshire. Helping companies to reshape and recover.

Developing the local footprint:
Targeting businesses in the area from small owner-run operations, right up to medium sized and large corporates, as well as private clients, Tracey Threlfall – Aon’s Regional Managing Director for the North, believes the Aon proposition has been sharpened following the integration with Henderson. “We want to retain what Henderson was so good at – that agility and local expertise – and marry it with Aon’s global resources and capabilities to deliver great service whether it’s packaged commercial insurance, through to other services like employee health and benefits, and retirement. The combined offering makes it easier to deliver more propos.

Chief Executive Sophie Conboy says ‘ As a not for profit business it’s fantastic to have our Partners continuing to support us and our Yorkshire business owners. We’ve had to adapt to the new way of working which has had its challenges. We’ve moved all of our events online, we’ve had some fantastic speakers already including Simon Biltcliffe, David Smalley, Edward Nayloy who have all offered great help and advice for our network. We've seen a huge increase in our mentoring programme and we will continue supporting as many Yorkshire businesses as possible. Our Entrepreneurs in Residence give us their time for free to help Yorkshire business owners grow and create jobs in Yorkshire and it’s lovely to see the friendly Yorkshire spirit is still going strong!