Taste of success at group launch

CHEERS . . . (from left) Bridget Batty (Limetree PR), Suzanne Wright (Pearson Solicitors), Simon Woods (wine host), Stephanie Doherty (Caremark), Robbie MacDonald (Chronicle Business Editor)

3 More Image(s) In Gallery

A NEW networking group was launched at Oldham's Naked Bean Cafe with a wine-tasting evening hosted by writer Simon Woods.

The group, Professional Oldham, is aimed at local business-owners, consultants and professionals.

Guests at the launch event included representatives of banks, accountancy, financial services, law, commercial property, technology, business administration, recruitment, education, healthcare, design, media and public relations.

The wine tasting was sponsored by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers. The firm's business development manager, Suzanne Wright, is one of the organisers behind Professional Oldham along with Robbie MacDonald, business editor of Oldham Business Edge magazine and the Oldham Evening Chronicle; Bridget Batty of Limetree Public Relations, Stephanie Doherty of Caremark Oldham and Angela Higham of Dr Kershaw's Hospice.

Professional Oldham aims to provide quality, enjoyable networking opportunities for businesses in the area without the pressure for referrals or sales. It is being partnered by Oldham Business Edge magazine.

Simon Woods' wine-writing CV includes the Financial Times and Which? Wine Guide. He has written a number of books about wine. These include "I Don't Know Much About Wine But I Know What I Like", which received the Gold Label Award for Wine Book of the Year.

At the Naked Bean event, he used wines supplied by drinks distributor Wilds of Oldham.

Around 45 people registered for the launch event and Robbie MacDonald said: "We had great feedback from the night which we will use to shape future events. People want to meet like-minded business owners and professionals, alongside growing and bigger businesses, through informal but quality networking events."

The second Professional Oldham event will take place this autumn, with more details to be announced soon. A provisional date of Thursday, October 13, is being considered and organisers hope to confirm the date and event details soon.

To register your interest in future Professional Oldham events, email: professionaloldham@outlook.com. Alternatively call Angela Higham at Dr Kershaw's Hospice on 0161 624 9984.

*More photographs from the launch night will appear in the next edition of the Oldham Business Edge magazine, due out in early September. The magazine is published by the Oldham Evening Chronicle and available free in print and digital version to subscribers. To subscribe, send your name, role and business address to Maria Whitehead. Email: mariawhitehead@oldham-chronicle.co.uk.