Chapter and verse networking event

From The Courier, 8th April:

REPRESENTATIVES from 50 local businesses attended the Heart of Kent Chapter of Business Network International’s (BNI) drinks and networking event.

Held on March 24 at the offices of Build Africa, an international development organisation, based in Tunbridge Wells, the evening event gave an opportunity to find out more about networking through the BNI and also to understand the work carried out by Build Africa, which is the chapter’s chosen charity.

During the evening, Diana Whyman, BNI Heart of Kent Chapter director, and Trevor Smith, assistant director for the South East, highlighted the benefits of membership.

The chapter, which normally meets every Tuesday morning at the Salomons Centre in Southborough, passed business referrals worth £250,000 to its members during 2010.

James Gabrill of Build Africaalso addressed the group, showcasing their education and income projects across Uganda and Kenya. He also highlighted how,  as a member of the Heart of Kent Chapter, it had helped to increase awareness of the charity
and open the doors to raise new funds.

A business card draw was held on the night with donations from Flowers@Colonnade on Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells, and Warners Solicitors.

Business success in Kent due to BNI

Jonathan Leach, BNI member in Kent has had great business success as a result of his BNI membership:

“Firstly we found the site through the BNI estate agent so if I had not been a member we would have probably missed the opportunity to buy the land.

 We have encouraged BNI members to get involved and have been successful in using my own chapter at Faversham together with Whitstable, Canterbury, Maidstone, Sandwich and Paddock Wood chapters , this has given 73k to fellow members across the county .

The company was formed some sixteen months ago in the heart of a recession but with a vision of success and determination which has involved a great deal of attention to detail with some lateral thinking which has given us a first class development which has a traditional feel with a contemporary finish in an first class  location.

The company has three directors Keith Mottram Charles Thorp and myself Jonathan  Leach:

Keith Mottram Charles Thorp and Jonathan Leach

We are nearing completion of the project, and we are tendering for three further projects two of which are from BNI referrals.

 We would like to thank all those involved with this project and look forward to a continued working relationship going forward we are also encouraging more members to join BNI as it definitely works.

Jonathan Leach”

You can find out more about BNI in Kent at http://www.bni.eu/viewregion.php?region=12 and about Jonathan at http://www.jleachassociates.co.uk/