The Harrogate Business Lunch has become a staple event in the Yorkshire business community. In this blog, we look back at how it all started, who’s behind it, and how it’s grown over the years.
How long has it been running?
The Harrogate Business Lunch started in October 1997 and has grown into one of the most successful business networking events in Yorkshire. Just last week, the event celebrated its 84th lunch, a remarkable achievement for something that started as a simple idea over 25 years ago.
The event is proudly organised by Howard and Tanya Matthews. Howard is a director at our Harrogate and Garforth offices, SMH Howard Matthews. Both have been the driving force behind the lunch’s continued growth and success.
How did it begin?
The idea for the Harrogate Business Lunch came about in 1996, when a new Lloyds Bank Manager moved to Harrogate and sought advice on local networking events. At that time, the only regular business lunch had been run by the Halifax Building Society. When that organiser moved on, the event disappeared.
Determined to fill the gap, the Lloyds Manager suggested starting a new business lunch, inspired by a successful format he had experienced in Derby. With that, the Harrogate Business Lunch was born. The first event saw 100 people attend, with the local MP as guest speaker. From the very start, the lunch was established as non-profit.
Who are some of the most well-known speakers?
Over the years, the Harrogate Business Lunch has welcomed a wide range of high-profile speakers including:
- Jason Manford
- Clare Balding
- Lord Archer
- Alexander Armstrong
- Anton Du Beke
- Roger Black
- Jenny Eclair
These speakers have helped make the event not only a great networking opportunity but also a source of entertainment for attendees.
What kind of businesses and people does it attract?
The event attracts business professionals from all across Yorkshire. Typical attendees include representatives from:
- Accountancy firms
- Banks
- Insolvency practitioners
- Estate agents
- Solicitors
- Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs)
The format ensures that attendees are seated with professionals who are relevant to their business interests, with only one representative per profession per table, encouraging meaningful conversations at every lunch.
How has the event evolved over time?
While the core purpose of networking remains unchanged, the event has certainly grown and improved over time:
- A two-course meal is served, followed by a 40-minute speaker session.
- The event has moved venues four times to accommodate the growing number of guests.
- Demand has soared, with the most recent event selling out in just 24 hours, attracting 550 attendees and a waiting list of 90.
One long-time attendee summed the recent lunch up perfectly:
“The event, expertly organised by Tanya Matthews and Howard Matthews of SMH Group, was the usual mix of high-quality networking, great food, and an excellent speaker. I’ve attended these for longer than I can remember, and they just get better and better which is an incredible achievement.”
If you would like to get involved in the lunch, get in touch with us on 01142 664 432 or email info@smh.group.
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