A BUSINESS networking group is marking the 10th anniversary of its formation and looking forward to future successes.

BNI Harald has members all over the North-East and its networking has contributed more than £15m to the local economy, the organisation said.

The group meets once a week to pass business to each other and actively seeks out business for fellow members with more than 27,000 opportunities created since its inception in 2004.

The company is part of the global Business Networking International which was founded 27 years ago and has more than 6,500 active chapters and 145,000 members claiming to be the most successful business referral organisation anywhere in the world.

Internationally the organisation passed 5,600,000 referrals which generated more than £1bn worth of business.

The core group that founded BNI Harald originally met in the Swallow Hotel in Stockton but has recently relocated to the Wynyard Rooms in Billingham.

It averages about 300 referrals or potential pieces of business in any calendar month, which equates to £70,000 worth of measured business each week.

BNI Harald is now part of BNI Durham and Teesside, currently boasting 45 businesses on its books and representing a wide range of trades and professions.

The group, which meets on Friday mornings from 6.30am to 8.30am, is planning to celebrate its 10th birthday with an event at the Wynyard Rooms on September 25 for past and present members.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Cheryl Spears commented "As a direct consequence of BNI Harald’s existence, the outlook for many small businesses in and around Stockton-on-Tees and Tees Valley has been enhanced greatly. To date, over £15m has been generated for the Stockton-on-Tees and Tees Valley business community of ‘done’ business. That alone is a big accomplishment. But with only 4 per cent of businesses surviving and making it to 10 years in the UK, we feel that our milestone is an accomplishment worthy of celebrating as well."

One of the founding members was Steve Smith of Davison Smith Financial Management Ltd who is still a member. Russell Sawdon was a member for eight years with his flower business called Flowerhouse. His passion was such that he is now the executive director of BNI Durham and Teesside, looking after all of the groups in the area and launching more.