Leeds is a vibrant city with a rich historic and cultural scene. As well as being the UK’s fastest growing city, the local economy accounts for over 32,000 VAT registered businesses and 6000 small to medium enterprises. With this much opportunity at your doorstep, it would be remiss not to reap the rewards of connecting with local businesses by networking in Leeds-based groups. In this guide, we lay out the most well-established business networks in the region and what they have to offer.
Networking in Leeds
The benefits of joining a Leeds business networking group are almost exponential. Local groups provide the perfect environment to forge strong connections, find new prospects and share knowledge and expertise with your network, all whilst learning and developing essential business skills collaboratively.
As one of the UK’s leading cities for businesses, Leeds has numerous networking groups for local companies to join. These networking groups are inclusive and friendly, providing a range of services from in-person coffee mornings and discussion panels to informal Zoom speed networking events. Whether you prefer a more relaxed professional environment or something more corporate, there is a Leeds business networking organisation suited to your needs.
Leeds Networking Groups
The Chamber of Commerce
As business and fiscal services make up 38% of Leed’s employment output, this network is of particular relevance. The West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is a Leeds-based organisation accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce, set up to help individuals and companies improve business performance through networking, intelligence, support and representation.
Membership benefits
Joining the Chamber gives you access to a wide assortment of membership benefits. A standard membership covers policy and representation, online promotion, member offers, events and access to both HR and Legal Advice lines. Whilst this is a great deal from £315, the higher tiers of membership include magazine features and invitations to executive lunches. With membership you can benefit from cheaper tickets as well as taking up one of 7 profile raiser’ spaces where businesses can bring promotional materials, including banner and leaflets or flyers.
Events
The Chamber host many networking events in Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region, including business lunches and breakfast meetings over which guests can share their company stories, opportunities, and advice. Popular amongst these, is the monthly Pure Networking breakfast held at Leeds United’s Elland Road from 7.30-9.30am. Sessions begin with informal networking, followed by structured table networking, with shuffles allowing you to move around the room several times.
The Business Network
Directed by Caroline Coward, The Business Network is a membership group for people seeking opportunities for networking in Leeds, Wakefield and York. Established almost 20 years ago, the organisation aims to connect directors and business owners with long term partners and prospects.
Membership benefits
Membership for the Leeds networking groups includes skills workshopping, exhibition and promotion opportunities plus focused networking sessions with up to seventy professionals over lunch. Membership is corporate allowing two representatives to attend each event and fees can be paid flexibly, either annually or in smaller instalments.
Events
The Leeds business networking lunches occur on a monthly basis and seat between 55 and 70 delegates, providing an abundance of contacts at your fingertips. These lunches can be attended on a one-off basis for £30 plus VAT.
Yorkshire Mafia
Founded in 2008, the Yorkshire Mafia is one of the most well-established Leeds networking groups for the business hub and its surrounding areas. The network has over 22,000 approved members and has been featured in a range of renowned publications. They have also generated over £75 million and counting for the regional economy, making them experts in business finance and lead generation.
Membership benefits
Interestingly, membership is held exclusively on LinkedIn, where applicants must have an active profile and provide a statement explaining their value to the community. Once you achieve membership, the Mafia will invite you to a range of on- and offline events for general networking or specific sectors, and with a relaxed, sales-free environment.
Events
As a Yorkshire Mafia member you will access a vast network of credible Yorkshire-based business aficionados via their active online community and enjoy delicious catering at in-person networking events. There is even the option of promoting your own event via Yorkshire Mafia, which will help you exploit the potential of their 33,00+ members. Depending on the purpose and scope of the event it will cost you £200-£300 (excluding VAT).
Brand Yorkshire
Initially a network dedicated to the Property and Construction sector, Brand Yorkshire has expanded with a networking club that’s open to all sectors. Specialising in B2B marketing services and lead generation, they provide ample opportunity to spotlight your business, however big or small.
Membership benefits
Becoming a Brand Yorkshire partner will open the doors to a network of 1500 delegates, five-minute speaking opportunities at networking events and to a whole host of coverage and promotion across traditional and non-traditional media. Ticketed events are discounted to members and sample sessions are provided before your business purchases membership at £499 a year plus VAT.
Events
Brand Yorkshire run an annual business conference at the Pavilions of Harrogate, which showcases the best business talent and thought leaders Yorkshire has to offer with 13 expert speakers. They also host individual networking events at a smaller scale, including catering, members’ spotlight, one-to-one with fellow members and special presentations or guest speakers.
The Northern Affinity
The Northern Affinity is an exceptionally friendly network of Northern professionals, uniting partners from all over the region and hosting local networking and training events, workshops and talks in a warm and informal manner.
Membership benefits
What do The Northern Affinity do for their partners? As a NA partner you benefit from a vast network of Northern connections across industries and sectors in addition to tailored digital marketing campaigns across several platforms. You’ll also have access to discounted products, services and event tickets. To discuss membership rates you will need to contact the Northern Affinity team.
Events
Connecting northern businesspeople who share the same wavelength, the NA’s events open the doors to new partnerships in a non-forced environment. Designed as drop-in networking groups, coworking venues across the North including Parkhouse Leeds are hired for the day. These act as a friendly business hub where organic relationships can blossom naturally.
BNI
BNI is one of the world’s guiding business referral organisations working to build business relationships and networks on behalf of their members. Ignite BNI (Leeds) is a dedicated networking group in Leeds and the surrounding area that was launched in 2018. With over 50 members in their first year, the group generated almost £500,000 of business in their first year.
Membership benefits
Ignite BNI report an average increase in business of 20% for their members a powerful incentive for anyone who wants to meet new people in for support, inspiration and potential business ties. Joining the local chapter for Leeds business networking will give you access to professional development and networking opportunities and a myriad of member-only resources. To join BNI Yorkshire West you will need to complete an application for the Membership Committee.
Events
Ignite BNI Leeds networking group meet every Thursday morning, from 6.30am-9am online, with the group based at the Village Hotel in Headingley. Entry fees are only £10 to attend as a visitor with discounts for members.
The Open Network
The Open Network is an organisation that offers low-key yet professional online and in-person networking opportunities for Yorkshire businesses. Its Leeds networking group connects small business owners across the city, creating exciting referral opportunities.
Membership benefits
The Open Network provides free training in networking in a low stress environment so businesses can learn how to build long-lasting connections and with universal membership you can access business networks nationwide, beyond your locality.
Events
Events hosted by The Open Network are both virtual and offline, usually held between 07.15 and 09.00am. Before you sign up as a member you can attend 2 of these events for free.
Shared coworking spaces
One of the most overlooked networking opportunities can be found in shared coworking spaces where you can connect with a myriad of people you might not otherwise meet. There are many coworking spaces in Leeds that incubate friendly business relationships, partnership opportunities and potential friendships.
In their very design coworking spaces encourage connection and foster a sense of community, fighting loneliness and disconnection. Because of this, it is not inaccurate to describe them as their own Leeds networking groups as they often lead to unexpected opportunities. Needless to say, these spaces are a very attractive option for small businesses and freelancers.
Join the best
Local networking groups are a sure-fire way to receive support and solidarity from people who understand the small business grind. With so many networking groups in Leeds at your disposal, there’s no reason not to join the community. Build a sturdy network of cross-industry connections and local business knowledge leaving the rest to us.
Need more business and local networking advice?
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From start-up support to growing your business, we’re your local expert partner for business success. Get in touch today on 0113 231 0202 to chat more about your requirements.
