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A DERBY networking group has a new home – and those running it say the venue is perfect for its monthly events.

From Left to right: Mark Averill, Averill Photography; Kiran Kaur, Oberoi Business Hub; Kavita Oberoi, Oberoi Business Hub; Angie Steyn, Oberoi Business Hub; Laura Etheridge, Birchover Sales and Lettings.

The Oberoi Business Hub in Pride Park has been hosting Derby Networking Club since June. The non-membership club – run by Mark Averill and Laura Etheridge – previously staged sessions at a nearby conference centre. When Mark and Laura decided it was time to freshen things up, they began to search for a new home where they could re-launch the club.

In March, Laura – managing director at Birchover Sales and Lettings – was at a networking event at Oberoi Business Hub, held by its owner Kavita Oberoi OBE in conjunction with Santander. With over 40 businesses in attendance, it was a successful event and Laura knew she had found a new home for Derby Networking Club, which she launched with Mark – owner of Averill Photography – in 2012.

Laura said: “We looked at a number of different venues and Kavita and her team were the most responsive.

“From the start, they’ve been really helpful and the response time from them has been so quick.

“They’re really accommodating. Every time we’ve had a question they’ve been really responsive. It’s been a really smooth and easy process setting up the events.”

Billed as “fun, friendly and informal,” the sessions involve some open networking, followed by everyone having 60 seconds to tell people who they are, what they do and how they can help businesses in Derby.

Kavita – who was awarded an OBE in 2014 for services to entrepreneurship and start-up businesses – said she was pleased the sessions were taking place at Oberoi Business Hub, which she launched four years ago in St Christopher’s Way to provide space back office support and networking support for start-up and growing businesses.

She said: “We have started doing our own networking events to inspire business. The first one we did was back in March – ‘Breakthrough from Santander UK’”

“There were about 40 different businesses that attended. It was a really successful evening. We had feedback that said businesses really enjoyed it and could we look at doing more events later in the year”

“One of the delegates who came was Laura Etheridge. She was looking for a new venue for the Derby Networking Club.

“She was at that event she saw the set-up, how well the event ran and how well it was managed by Angie Steyn, account manager and the delivered by the rest of Oberoi team.  She approached us to say she’d like to run her network meetings throughout the year at the hub. And that’s what we’ve done.”

Angie, account manager said “The difference at Oberoi Business Hub, is having an appointed account manager like myself who ensures the event is a success through the detail and attention that goes into the to pre- planning and preparation”

Kiran Kaur who supports the delivery of events said “Our customer focus and responsiveness is second to none which keeps our clients returning”

Derby Networking Club will host its next session at the hub on Tuesday. To book, visit www.derbynetworkingclub.com.