Member Article

A DECADE OF ‘DOING RATHER THAN SAYING’ FOR THE YM

The Yorkshire Mafia (YM), one of the largest networks of senior professionals in the country, is celebrating 10 years of bringing businesses together to meet, learn and share through some of the most high-profile events in the corporate calendar.

Launched on LinkedIn in 2008, and boasting a membership approaching 22,000 company executives and business owners, the YM is now one of the sites’ most successful and productive networks globally.

Estimating a total economic impact of £58m, the group continues to raise the profile of the Yorkshire region to a national and international audience as it creates events that attract globally acclaimed speakers and entrepreneurs.

The group is also responsible for the Buy Yorkshire Conference, the largest business to business event in the North and Leeds Business Week, which is organised, managed and delivered by the team with no external assistance.

As well as putting in place countless opportunities over the years for people to build long-standing professional relationships, the group has also facilitated a programme of charitable activities including two bikes rides from Leeds to Paris, a trek of the Sahara Desert and an expedition of Mount Kilimanjaro raising thousands of pounds for worthy causes.

Ho, Ho Homeless, an annual activity that encourages businesses to contribute funds, clothing, food and everyday items to the homeless, has provided thousands of people throughout the region with outreach support when they need it most.

Geoff Shepherd, Director of the YM, comments:

“We started the YM because we got tired of discussing and never getting to the point of doing. It became all too apparent that if we wanted to put ideas into practice we would have to do it ourselves, and so we did!

“Fast forward to where we are today and we are beyond proud of what we have achieved as a group. While much has been accomplished, there’s still plenty that we would like to see happen for the region and that will be our focus as we embark on our tenth year.

“We’re committed to continuing to champion Yorkshire business, which is why the team is busy behind the scenes refining our strategy in order make the next decade even more successful than the last.

“There may also be some announcements that see us extend our model into new territories to widen our network even further so watch this space!”

As well as attracting record audiences to events, the group has received positive recognition from regional and national awards.

Jessica Coates, Marketing and Events Manager at the YM, comments:

“Our membership numbers demonstrate the commitment that organisations across the region have to engage, share, learn and build long-lasting professional relationships with each other. It is unlike anywhere else. We’re looking forward to working with our members to create even more opportunities for them to prove, with us, that we are stronger together.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Katie Coxall .