On the 7th May 1999, having left my job working for a US business, I joined my father and his business partner in their new venture, a business network, Business Referral Exchange (BRE, later BRX).

I had never really come across ‘networking’ before BRE had been set up, six months earlier, although it was something I did naturally. All of that was to change and it became central to my life from that point.

A quarter of a century later, after eight years with BRE and seventeen years of our current business, I’m celebrating my anniversary in a space that was meant to be a temporary respite, while I set up a freelance writing business. I never did become a freelance writer, although I’ve still managed to do plenty of writing since!

It’s not been a smooth journey, with some very difficult times, as well as some real highs. It’s been a family effort, with my father staying involved in the business until he sadly passed away three years ago and my Mum joining after retiring as a teacher and still playing a vital and active role in our work. I am also so reliant on the dream team of Sara Beth Reynolds and Hazel Pearson, the daughters of my co-author on …and Death Came Third!, Peter Roper.

As I specialise in professional relationships, it shouldn’t surprise you to know how much I value the relationships I’ve made along the way, both people I’ve met in the last few weeks and those I’ve known for well over a decade or even two.

Thank you for joining me on the journey so far!