The company behind one of Harrogate’s largest business events is set to be wound up after appointing liquidators this week.

Brand Yorkshire Limited, which runs the annual Brand Yorkshire conference, passed a resolution for winding up yesterday.

It has appointed business recovery specialist firm Leonard Curtis, based in Leeds, to deal with the liquidation.

The company was founded in 2010 and its sole director is Richard Norman.

After being cancelled in 2020 because of the covid pandemic, the Brand Yorkshire conference – held at Pavilions of Harrogate – returned in 2021.

The event was held for the 12th time on October 6 last year.

It featured almost 60 businesses in the exhibition halls, as well as a programme of speakers, and around 1,000 visitors attended.

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Until recently, the Brand Yorkshire website was advertising its 2023 event for October 5. However, the website has been taken down, with a holding page saying it is “under maintenance”.

The Stray Ferret contacted Mr Norman but he declined to comment.

Compulsory strike-off action against the company began in February, after the company failed to file its 2021-22 accounts by the deadline of December 31 last year.

However, on March 10, a statement was issued by Companies House which said:

“Action under section 1000 of the Companies Act 2006 has been temporarily suspended as an objection to the striking off has been received by the registrar.”

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

More than 1,000 people attended a business conference in Harrogate yesterday.

Brand Yorkshire held its 12th annual business conference at Pavilions of Harrogate at the Great Yorkshire Showground. Nearly 60 businesses had stalls at the event.

Staff from companies all over the country networked at the event, which attracted many local firms.

Georgina Pogge-von Strandmann, solicitor and branch manager at Ison Harrison in Harrogate, told the Stray Ferret:

“The event has been great to attend. We’re here to explain all of the services we can offer at our new Harrogate branch as a full-service law firm. We’ve spoken to a lot of people, everyone is really friendly.”

Sally Bendtson, who owns Limelight HR, said:

“It’s been really good so far, there is a nice mixture of people we know and people we haven’t worked with yet. Last year we just had a stand but this year we’ve got a stand and I’m doing a talk.”

Brand Yorkshire has been holding business events for more than a decade. They are run by Richard and Mona Norman.

Ms Norman told the Stray Ferret:

“People are still wanting to meet people face to face, especially in Harrogate. We have more than a thousand booked to attend.

“What is music to my ears is when the stand holders come to me, even when the day hasn’t finished yet, to say they are already getting business from the event.”

Boroughbridge chamber holds networking event

The Crown Hotel

Boroughbridge Chamber of Trade is to stage business networking event on Tuesday next week.

The event will also feature a presentation from Kevin Charity, the new chief executive of The Coaching Inn Group, which recently bought the town’s Crown Hotel.

Coaching Inns took over the historic 37-bedroom hotel in February after its parent company, RedCat Pub Company, purchased the building from Best Western for an undisclosed fee. It is investing about £450,000 in refurbishing the site.

The event takes place at the Crown Hotel from 5.30pm to 7pm. Non-chamber members are welcome.

This article is sponsored by Brand Yorkshire.

Over 1000 delegates are signed up to attend the Brand Yorkshire Business Conference, taking place at the Pavilions of Harrogate, on Thursday, October 7. Now in its 12th year, the event is one of the highlights of the autumn conference season for businesses across the region.

The 2021 event is all the more exciting after last year’s conference had to be cancelled. With a full programme of inspirational speakers and over 80 stands, the event is free to attend.

Director of Brand Yorkshire Richard Norman said:

“This is an event where business is done, a platform to showcase innovation, a place to catch up with existing clients, gain new clients, to network and to hear 13 inspirational speakers.

“We have been fortunate to secure some incredible speakers this year.”

Launching with the rousing Big Ian Donaghy, there follows a packed programme of seminars, each lasting around 30 minutes and including topics relevant to businesses of all sizes, from pre-start up to PLC.

The closing word though is left to Harrogate’s Steve Phillips. For almost 30 years, Steve Phillip was a successful business consultant, trainer and keynote speaker. But on December 4 2019, he received a call that changed his world forever – his son Jordan had taken his own life.

With a LinkedIn following of more than 35,000 people, Steve’s articles and posts have engaged a global audience of millions and early in 2020, he established The Jordan Legacy CIC, to provide support to those struggling to cope with life or considering suicide. Steve’s lived experience of suicide, combined with his reputation as a highly engaging speaker, will help you understand how to better look after your own mental health and how you can support others.

There is a refreshment area, perfect for catching up with your contacts, so sign up now for your free delegates pass and to receive news of some excellent stand holder offers, only available at the event. You can find the full speaker programme on the Brand Yorkshire website.