Steve Wilson, of Wilson Design Associates, started First Friday in March 2003 as an addition to other networking groups he attended for those people who didn't want either an early morning breakfast or a weekly commitment.
The meetings were very well recieved and attended and several people wanted to contine the success of the format in their own areas. Richard Needham and Bob Squirrell were among the first to come along and were so impressed, on their way home, they decided to start one in Fareham and so Last Fridays was born in October 2003, meeting at the Red Lion.
A Second Fridays networking group, held at The Bear & Ragged Staff, Michelmersh, Romsey, has also been established by Ian Anderson, aligned with the First, Third and Last Fridays groups.
The most recent group to be established, extending the network into East Sussex, is First Friday Lewes, launched in May 2007 by Robin Houghton and a new meeting is starting on 1st February in Fernhurst.
All the networks are aligned to each other but are quite individual. Serving the business community by way of offering a venue to network, promote, share and exchange ideas.
If you are interested in starting a network group in your area give Steve a call - 01243 787100.
Julie Harris (Chamber of Commerce) and Steve Wilson (Wilson Design)