Posted on: Thursday 30 June 2022
More than 40 businesses attended a 21-year anniversary celebration event of Torfaen Business Voice last week where they were treated to cake and a caricature.
Since the business club started, over 500 businesses have been supported with business mentoring, funding opportunities, crucial business changes to GDPR, on-line tax, cyber security and how to win tenders.
Membership also gives business owners access to networking events, regular newsletters and information about latest developments. The club is run by a committee of businesses who are keen to make a difference and steer the club in a direction decided by business.
Gareth Waters, Alliance Marketing Agency, said: “It was great to get back to networking face-to-face with other members of Torfaen Business Voice! I’ve been a member of this networking club since 2007 and over that time I have made many long-lasting business connections that have resulted in mutual business opportunities for my business and other members of the club.
“Over the previous two years TBV had continued to operate via online Teams meetings which helped members keep in touch with each other, but judging by the turnout for our recent in-person meeting, it seems there’s a really appetite for business owners to do face-to-face networking once again. This ensures that existing business relationships within the club can grow, along with new relationships being made. Congratulations on 21 years of supporting local businesses in Torfaen!”
Ashley Harkus, Everett Tomlin Lloyd and Pratt Solicitors, Chair of Torfaen Business Voice, said: “It’s easier to do business with people you know and like. The club has raised our firms profile and led to new clients for our business services, family and conveyancing teams either directly or by recommendation as well as broadening the network of people in other professional sectors that we know.
“Through the connections we have made club members have been involved in providing our website design and hosting , branding, photography and catering for events. It’s also been hugely useful being kept up to date with local and national funding, grants and training initiatives.”
Councillor Joanne Gauden, Executive Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration, said: “Being part of a network such as Torfaen Business Voice is important when you are a business. It gets you access to support and like-minded people which is great if you want to grow and expand your business.
“It was lovely to hear that the 21st anniversary celebration could be face to face, especially after the last few years. It sounds like everyone had a great time.
“I’d encourage any Torfaen businesses to join Business Voice because the networking opportunities are priceless.”
Membership costs £48 a year for new members or start-up businesses. To find out more about Business Voice visit www.southwalesbusiness.co.uk or phone 01633 647800
Torfaen Business Voice next networking meeting is Thursday 15 September at Greenmeadow Golf Club, Cwmbran, at 4.30pm.