ABDN’s launch event in Sheffield at the Aroma Restaurant on London Road was a thumping success. Over a 100 businesses attended in an inspiring foray into Sheffield via ABDN. Nick Butler from Connect Yorkshire, Lynne Harrison from Business Link and Richard Stirling from Insider spoke at the networking event.

Arshad Chaudhry the Chairman said that “ABDN is a bit like a chicken tikka massala served with Yorkshire Pudding. There are plenty of organisations out there doing their thing, and some doing it pretty well. We do not want to recreate the wheel, we are here to oil it and make it run more efficiently”. The delegates that attended had an opportunity to find out what the ABDN can do for them in supporting their business to survive and grow by networking with businesses and working alongside public and private sector companies. Furthermore, it was a great chance for the delegates to join onto the ABDN network which will enable them to come along and access all the free events held over the year.

ABDN – The Network of Influence has appointed an autonomous a board to run ABDN South Yorkshire which is now fully operational. The Board appointed a Branch Chairman Irshad Akbar of Beta Technology and Ms Sadya Din as Vice Chairperson on 2nd March 2010. Both are influential figures within South Yorkshire with close ties to Sheffield and Doncaster. The Board of ten will replicate the successful ABDN model across South Yorkshire, providing support to BMNE businesses and helping them to better integrate with the indigenous economy. Irshad Akbar is a Beta Business Buddy, supporting 1229 businesses with strong links and experience in promoting social enterprise and businesses. Sadya is  MD of By Appointment Only a luxury lifestyle concierge service and has excellent connections as a prolific networker.