Connecting businesses and driving growth across county I love
Martin Hathaway is a city slicker turned honorary Yorkshireman and is managing director of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce. Over 25 years here he has built a formidable database of connections MARTIN Hathaway is managing director of career that have made me proud, however, For me it’s vital that you understand the the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, there is always one moment that stands out financial position of your business and keep based on the Pennine Business Park at from the rest. When my rail ticketing up to date with your accounts. I meet so Bradley, Huddersfield. business, Yourrail, launched the first UK many business people who subordinate this Mobile Tickets for Chiltern Railways, to their accountants (who provide a valuable operating between London Marylebone and service), but from my point of view, it’s Birmingham, I received front page coverage something you should keep on top of in the national media, which was extremely everyday also. rewarding. What’s your business motto?
The Mid Yorkshire Chambers motto: ‘Connecting, supporting and representing business’ reiterates the support we provide to our members.
What makes your business different?
The Mid Yorkshire Chamber has been representing the business community across the Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield districts for over 166 years. We are a growthdriving organisation that provides the most relevant and valuable, services and benefits to businesses across the region. Using our knowledge and understanding of the challenges and opportunities of both now and the future, we are able to ensure that members remain connected, supported and represented locally, nationally and internationally.
How do you make contacts which are useful for business?
Having worked across Yorkshire for the past 25 years, I have built up a large database of connections, and made some great friends along the way. I’m also keen to make new connections, so I regularly focus on networking at our own events and those of
Which person has inspired you most in your business life and in what way?
Barry Dodd CBE, the Queen’s personal representative in North Yorkshire.
His dedication and passion for unpaid public service was admirable and he became known as one of the most respected business men and entrepreneurs.
Barry taught me that successful businesses have the potential to gain as many customers as possible, which sounds obvious, but it is easy to get caught up in oversupplying to a limited number. Barry also recognised the impact he could have on the Yorkshire and National Economy through his involvement with Regional Development Agencies, and more recently LEPS. He was tireless in his desire to create a thriving economy for all.
What’s your company’s greatest asset? We are blessed to have a great team of dedicated staff who look after our members and drive growth, which is definitely a great asset to have. Additionally, our members are the ones who help our business to continue supporting others as we have for the last 166 years.
Do you use social media and if so with how much success? Sadly, on a personal level I don’t use it as much as I should, however as a business we use various platforms to communicate and market our benefits and values. Social media is a great way to keep our members informed and engaged.
If you hadn’t gone down your chosen career path, what would you be doing?
I started my career working in the City and if I hadn’t discovered Yorkshire, I would most likely still be there living a city life.
At what time of the day are you most creative or inspired?
I’m a definite morning person, so I would say first thing.
How do you relax away from work?
The most important thing to me outside of work is my family, so I like to ensure we are spending quality time together in a relaxing environment. When I’m not with family, you may find me playing Golf or driving my ‘mid-life crisis’ Vespa px – yes, a definite guilty pleasure.
When do you take your coffee break?
I tend to only have two or three coffees, so I like to spread them out throughout the morning.
Who would you most like to have a coffee with? That’s easy, my two boyhood heroes; Glenn Hoddle and Ian Botham.