OPPORTUNITY Peterborough, the city’s economic development company, is now charging for membership of its popular Bondholder Network with a host of new member features and benefits being added. Details of the new network were revealed at an event attended by the mayor of Peterborough and around 170 business delegates.
As well as attending a regular programme of networking events and the prestigious annual Bondholder Dinner, members can now post their vacancies to a new jobs board, add their offers to a new ‘marketplace’ and contribute their expert opinions to a new blog – all this in addition to uploading news and events to the member portal and receiving monthly newsletters packed with economic intelligence, city news and business opportunities.
The Bondholder group, which has been gaining in popularity since it first launched in 2010, grew to be the city’s largest business network with around 1,500 business members. Under the new format, a £100 annual subscription fee will be introduced which will contribute towards the cost of supporting the network and the business ambitions of its members.
Steve Bowyer, acting chief executive at Opportunity Peterborough which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, said: “All of Opportunity Peterborough’s projects and services are designed to support businesses and grow our economy. The Bondholder Network is incredibly popular and has an active group of members from across a great mix of business sectors.
“The level of engagement we’ve received so far has been fantastic and of course we want that to continue but, like any business, we need to ensure our operation is sustainable. Introducing a small subscription fee will enable us to continue to deliver quality business support services local companies have come to expect, but will also allow us to enhance our offer to suit the changing needs of businesses.”
Opportunity Peterborough’s Bondholder Network is open to all local businesses operating in any sector. From the 1st April 2015, annual subscription costs £100 per company and £80 for registered charities. The next networking breakfast event will take place on 15th July and all registered members can attend for free.
To find out more and to register as a Peterborough Bondholder, visit www.opportunitypeterborough.co.uk