Two north-east entrepreneurs have acquired the North of Scotland franchise of an international networking organisation for £140,000.
Rob Hamilton and Trevor Mutch have bought the North of Scotland network of BNI, which can lay claim to being part of the world’s largest networking organisation. It was previously owned by Kinross-based businessman Sid Grant.
The North of Scotland region currently has eight membership chapters, featuring 170 members, from Aberdeen to Dunfermline. The new owners aim to have 14 chapters and 300 members by 2016 as they form plans to set up further groups in the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Tayside and Fife.
Rob Hamilton, executive director BNI Scotland North, said: “Trevor and I have been members of BNI for more than five years and we believe in it. It has made a huge difference to our businesses. Sid is pleased the franchise is being passed to people who have a real passion for BNI. We’ll be bringing a fresh impetus to the North of Scotland networks – our first priority will be to get out there and highlight the many advantages that BNI membership brings.”
Before buying the franchise, Rob and Trevor were members of BNI Energy chapter, which meets each Wednesday from 7am to 9am. As directors, they are no longer allowed to be chapter members.
BNI Energy provided the catalyst for more than £1.5million worth of business among member companies in the past year. Examples of successes include a small supplies business securing a six-figure contract with an oil major and an IT support company winning a three-year contract with a large Scottish legal firm.
Trevor Mutch, executive director BNI Scotland North, said: “As well as meeting each week to pass on referrals, members can source advice from chapter colleagues on anything from advertising in local media to legal issues. It’s a business support network as well as a forum for business development and growth.
“Rob and I are aiming to breathe new life into BNI to reflect our focus on business and development. We see this as a huge opportunity to build the brand in the region and enhance BNI’s services to members. Other regions in the UK are proving outstanding results can be achieved and we’re looking to bring that ethos to the North region. Inverness and Banchory are among the areas where we’re looking to set up new chapters, and if anyone has any suggestions we’d be delighted to hear from them.”
BNI is the largest business networking referral organisation in the world. In 2013 it had over 13,000 members in the UK and Ireland alone, and passes nearly 680,000 referrals worth over £330million every year.
North of Scotland members also have access to more than 6,200 chapter members in the UK and others in 45 countries around the world. Business Networking Organisation (BNI) was founded by Dr Ivan Misner in the United States in 1985 and has more than 150,000 members worldwide.
Rob is chief executive at Aberdeen technology provider Dynamic Edge, while Trevor is owner and managing director of commercial and residential painter and decorator R. Davidson (Banchory) Ltd.