A BOLTON businessman is helping link local firms to the rest of Lancashire with the launch of the latest chapter in one of the world’s biggest referral organisation, Business Network International.

Established over 30 years ago, BNI now has over 200,000 members in more than 70 countries worldwide.

It works by organising weekly networking meetings for groups of businesses, who use their own network of contacts to find business opportunities for one another. Each group, or chapter, follows proven networking processes to ensure the maximum amount of business is generated for members.

Blackrod-based osteopath Wayne Roberts is launching BNI Summit to host meetings every Friday morning at The Holiday Inn Express, Walton Summit, just off the M61, M6, M65 motorway hub.

The group’s location has been chosen to bring together businesses from Leyland, Chorley, Blackburn, Preston, and Bolton.

Mr Roberts said: “BNI is one of the great untold success stories of local business.

“With £20 million in business acquired by referral through its chapters last year in Lancashire alone, the numbers tell their own story.

“One of the reasons BNI stands out so strongly from other types of networking groups is that we have proven procedures that ensure we take a proactive approach to generating a significant amount of business for each other.

“As a Bolton businessman, I am very proud to be organising this new chapter, which is set to bring businesses together from all across Lancashire.”

Wayne Roberts Osteopath and Sports Therapist is based in New Street, Blackrod, Bolton www.oste.co.uk. To enquire about available spaces go to www.networkingnorth.co.uk or email nicola@bnionline.co.uk.