What Recession? BNI’s £1 Million Boost for East Lothian Business


East Lothian’s business community is networking its way to success, as proven by a local referrals group which recently broke the £1 million barrier.


Following the phenomenal success of the North Berwick chapter of Business Networking International (BNI), the organisation is in the process of launching a Haddington chapter to meet growing demand.


The BNI Out of the Blue group, held at the Maitlandfield Hotel in Haddington on Tuesdays, will break with the breakfast tradition and be held at lunchtime, ideal for the county’s many mums and dads in business.


The introduction of the lunch meeting reflects how the 27 year strong organisation is evolving, and is ideal for parents juggling running a business with the school run.


The buoyant growth of BNI in East Lothian is reflective of the organisation’s wider success in the Scotland South and East region, which saw £4.6 million worth of business transacted for members in the past year.


The Berwicklaw chapter, based in North Berwick, passed almost 3,000 referrals for members, amounting to a total of £1,046,296 worth of business since its launch.


Colin Read, Executive Director for BNI Scotland South and East, said: “The infectious enthusiasm, optimism and genuine support among BNI members in East Lothian is at the core of its success.


“This county has a fantastic business community which refuses to take part in the recession and our North Berwick members are working hard to help each other grow and prosper.


“We are absolutely thrilled for the Berwicklaw group and its members, and word has spread leading to demand for another group.


“We launched a lunchtime group in Edinburgh last year with the aim of offering flexibility and an alternative time for the growing numbers of parents with morning childcare responsibilities. This has proven to be highly successful so we are delighted to bring the lunchtime


format to East Lothian with Out of the Blue.


“Out of the Blue is now welcoming visitors without obligation, and guests will have the opportunity to see for themselves the high level of support, positive action and not forgetting good fun, which reaps real rewards for business at a BNI meeting.”


Richard Baty, Deputy Manager for Economic Development at East Lothian Council, attended the latest pre-launch meeting.


He said: “It is always good to see business to business networking helping grow the economy of East Lothian.


“BNI is clearly very focused on getting business results, as is shown by the success in North Berwick. It would be fantastic to see BNI achieve similar results for the business community in and around Haddington.”


For further information about BNI in Scotland South East or to find out about attending the Tuesday meeting as a visitor, please contact Dionne Read on 07941 109356.


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