Connect Yorkshire sponsors are leaders in their fields, with a wealth of experience and knowledge to share. Our sponsors consist of Marketing, IT, Sales, HR, Private Equity and Venture Capital.
Our sponsors offer help and support to our members, with their specific knowledge and expertise. All businesses, no matter what their shape or size, need help and advice from these industries.
Our sponsors hold seminars and workshops on various topics ensuring our members are informed and kept up to date with all the latest news and developments that are constantly changing and evolving in the business environment.
Below are our sponsors:
IDS-Group, a UK-owned software development and systems integration specialist with global teams, delivers secure and high-quality technology solutions.
We leverage expertise across diverse software, web, and mobile technologies, evidenced by our comprehensive accreditations and established security standards.
Trusted by both scale ups and enterprises, we optimise technology to achieve measurable outcomes and ROI, including enhanced security, operational effi ciency, and scalable growth.
Driven by a passion for solving complex digital challenges, we provide dedicated support from initial SaaS development to strategic enterprise consultancy.
Founder & CEO
Nick, a serial entrepreneur who leverages over 30 years of global experience to deliver digital business solutions, specialising in delivering strategic software solutions that drive competitive advantage.
Having witnessed firsthand the challenges of bringing technical visions to reality, from startup struggles to complex integrations, Nick established IDS Group to address critical technical challenges, building a company defi ned by expert execution and a strong, collaborative culture that prioritises client success.
With a global team of world-class experts dedicated to solving client problems through technology. Collaboration, personality, and long-term partnerships, ensure IDS is as invested in our clients' achievements as we are on our own.
Commercial Director
Dom brings over 25 years of IT Services and Technology experience, specialising in leveraging innovative solutions to address complex business challenges.
His proven track record includes driving revenue growth and establishing strategic partnerships, resulting in successful digital transformations across diverse sectors.
Results-driven with a passion for technology and its transformative impact on organisations, Dominic excels at fostering strategic partnerships for IDS and our clients building on our solid reputation for generating incredible ROI.
Leeds Rhinos are one of the most successful rugby league clubs in the UK, with a rich history in the highest level of Rugby League. Based at AMT Headingley Stadium, the club has won 39 major domestic trophies across its Men and Women's Rugby League sides and has also won three World Club titles in the last 25 years, cementing its reputation as a powerhouse in the sport. The Rhinos brand also branches into Netball as NIC Leeds Rhinos Netball enters its fifth season in the Netball Super League competition.
Beyond the game, the Rhinos are committed to community engagement, player development, and charitable initiatives, including support for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease. The club has also built strong commercial partnerships with local and national companies around the UK, helping to sustain its success both on and off the field. With a passionate fan base and a legacy of excellence, Leeds Rhinos continue to be a driving force in British sport, inspiring future generations of athletes. Their dedication to high performance rugby, netball and community impact ensures that the Rhinos remain at the forefront of elite competition while fostering inclusivity and growth at all levels of the game.
Commercial Director
Rob Oates has played a key role in developing the club’s commercial partnerships. With a background in sales and sponsorship, he has helped strengthen long-term relationships with major sponsors and community partners. His leadership has contributed to the club’s financial growth and ongoing success. He is also involved in charitable initiatives, including fundraising efforts for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease. Through his work, he continues to support the Rhinos both on and off the field.
07736 958 055
Founded in 2009, Q5 has a singular driving passion, organisational health. As a global consultancy, Q5 partners with business leaders in hundreds of organisations around the world, combining the art and science of organisational health to help their clients improve and excel.
Q5 provide support with organisational strategy, design, leadership and team development, culture, technology, change, and transformation. Q5 is driven by a shared purpose: building healthy organisations to propel people, economies, and society forward. They have worked with a huge array of clients from British Airways to BT and Channel 4.
Q5 has also recently been listed as one of the UK’s Leading Management Consultants by Financial Times and named one of the World's Best Management Consulting Firms in 2023 by Forbes.
Director
Annabel is Q5’s Brand and Marketing Director based in the Leeds Office. She brings a wealth of practical experience from over 25 years of senior leadership roles across a variety of sectors, geographies and functions to her client engagements. Annabel has created and executed strategic business design, organisational development, change management, process design, people and team development first-hand in the highly competitive Retail, FMCG and Utility Sectors.
After joining Procter and Gamble as a graduate, Annabel’s career included national sales and marketing roles before relocating to successfully manage a third of P&G’s Hong Kong business. After over a decade at P&G, Annabel joined Applegreen rising to become their Global Head of Sales and Marketing based in Ireland. Subsequently, she was the Marketing Director for SSE in Ireland and Northern Ireland before becoming Managing Director for Hallmark Cards UK, with global responsibility for the M&S Division. Her proudest career moment is being named the most influential woman in Irish sports for her role in SSE’s sponsorship of the Dublin marathon.
A keen hiker, runner and rugby enthusiast, Annabel loves spending time with her family in the great outdoors or pitch-side and supporting Q5 Pop Up Consulting whenever possible.
Marketing Specialist
Georgie joined the Q5 Leeds team in March 2022, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and has experience in customer service, social media marketing, and digital marketing in the charity and lighting manufacturing industries. At Q5, Georgie supports the marketing team with website maintenance, face-to-face and virtual events and other marketing activities.
Prior to working at Q5, Georgie worked as a Customer Assistant at Tesco, in the third year of her Marketing degree she did a placement year at Islamic Charity Penny Appeal where she developed from Marketing Intern to Social Media Executive and after over two and a half years, Georgie then moved onto Lighting Manufacturer Red Arrow Electrical Distribution where she was Digital Marketing Executive.
When not being a Q5’er, Georgie enjoys fitness, cross-stitch and spending time with family and friends.
Sales Geek Yorkshire: Empowering Yorkshire Businesses to Thrive
At Sales Geek Yorkshire, we are passionate about transforming businesses across the region by providing expert sales leadership, training, and mentorship. As part of the multi-award-winning Sales Geek network, we deliver world-class sales solutions tailored specifically to the unique challenges of Yorkshire’s thriving business community.
Proudly endorsed by the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP), our services and training programs meet the highest standards of excellence, ethics, and professionalism. This endorsement highlights our commitment to delivering impactful, results-driven solutions that empower businesses and individuals to succeed.
Our core services include:
We specialise in working with multiple industries. By partnering with organisations like the Chamber of Commerce, local councils, and great organisations like Connect Yorkshire, we ensure our clients benefit from a holistic approach to business growth.
At Sales Geek Yorkshire, we’re not just about delivering results; we’re about changing the way the world perceives sales. With a focus on ethical selling, confidence building, tailored strategies, and measurable success, we help individuals and businesses sell more products, more often, and more effectively.
Whether you’re looking to grow revenue, build an exit strategy, improve gross profit, upskill yourself and your team, or strengthen your market presence, we’re here to help you achieve your goals.
Get in touch today to find out how Sales Geek Yorkshire, backed by the ISP endorsement, can help your business thrive.
Fractional Sales Director | Sales Leadership Specialist
With almost 30 years of experience in Sales and Commercial leadership, Mark is a “people first” leader, highly experienced in transforming sales functions, leading multi-disciplined teams and creating effective sales strategies that deliver significant, tangible results.
As the Managing Director of Sales Geek - Bradford and a proud member of the Institute of Sales Professionals, Mark enables SMEs to access world-class sales training and provides sales leadership without the costs and risks of a full-time hire.
At Sales Geek, all training programs—endorsed by the Institute of Sales Professionals—combine personalised, face-to-face learning with access to the Sales Geek Academy’s extensive library of free training videos and podcasts. We deliver impactful training and mentoring programs designed to inspire growth, improve performance, and align teams with strategic goals.
Throughout his career, he has built and led diverse teams, developed innovative sales strategies, and implemented solutions that drive lasting change. Our approach is rooted in collaboration, continuous development, and a passion for helping businesses and individuals unlock their full potential.
Sales Geek
Hayden Fox is a seasoned sales professional and entrepreneur with nearly 25 years of experience, including over a decade as a senior leader at the board level. Renowned for his innovative approach, Hayden has been at the forefront of modernising sales enablement and leadership, driving both global and local sales teams to achieve record-breaking growth.
Recognised as a sales leader by the Institute of Sales Professionals and with Sales Geek also endorsed by the same esteemed body, Hayden continues to shape the sales landscape. His unwavering commitment to empowering businesses and individuals to realise their full potential is evident in his proven track record of delivering exceptional results. Passionate about cultivating success, Hayden is a dynamic force in driving growth across teams, individuals, sales, and businesses alike.
Sale Geek North East Yorkshire/Sales Geek Yorkshire
Justin Ross is an exciting sales professional and entrepreneur mindset, with 25+ years of experience, including Senior Leader/Director. Justin is innovative in his approach, Justin has Led from the forefront of modernising sales enablement and leadership, driving both global and local sales teams to achieve YOY Growth within many sectors.
Justin recently joined Sales Geek as the Northeast Yorkshire Franchise Sales leader. He has also gained the Institute of Sales Professionals with Sales Geek., Justin continues to shape the sales landscape in Yorkshire. With help from Hayden & Mark to form Sales Geek Yorkshire. His unwavering commitment to empowering businesses and individuals to realise their full potential. Justin is continuing to grow every business in his area…Justin is so Enthusiastic about achieving his Goals he has set and with his 5year plan will achieve them.
Justin is looking forward to discovering what makes businesses tick in 2025.
Your Engine Room is a Leeds digital marketing agency with over 10 years of experience working with owner-led B2B businesses. We work with Yorkshire businesses to plan, fulfil, and improve their marketing activity over months, years, and decades – for lasting growth.
We are an extension of your business and become part of your team. You have access to a team of specialists in SEO, PPC, website, social media, copywriting, and graphic design. We don’t have account managers or salespeople. You speak with each person as you would an internal team.
Our role is to plan and deliver ongoing marketing activity that increases the visibility of your business online and reaches new customers. We create and manage a consistent and professional digital presence for your business and put an end to scattergun activity and wasted time.
We begin with an audit to assess your current activity, before undergoing a strategy process. Your digital marketing strategy determines who we need to reach and how we’ll reach them. Using your strategy, we deliver regular activity, checking in often and reporting on results each month.
Business Coach at Next Level BD, Managing Director at Your Engine Room
Ian is a Business Coach at Next Level BD and Managing Director at Your Engine Room. Ian has been helping owner-led SMEs to grow since 2008. He coaches business owners and managers to create and implement tailor-made growth plans. Ian’s coaching led him to create a marketing team dedicated to helping SMEs. He saw the frustrations business leaders face with marketing and wanted to establish an outsourced marketing function with direct access to the specialists. Your Engine Room and Next Level BD operate independently with their own clients, as well as some shared ones. Ian also acts as a Non-Executive Director for some clients and is extremely proud to be (volunteer) Chair of Trustees at Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm. Ian loves visiting new places, near and far, and getting to summer festivals when he can.
Web, PPC and SEO Specialist
Sean specialises in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Paid Ads (PPC). He helps Yorkshire based SMEs create strategies to grow their presence on search engines. Sean has a detailed understanding of website optimisation, helping businesses to convert more websites visitors into leads. Sean has over 12 years’ experience in digital marketing across in house and agency roles working in multiple B2B and B2C industries. He has a BA Hons Degree in Marketing & Advertising. He enjoys badminton, board games, and going on walks with his greyhound Arlo.
Strategy and Planning
Amy is our strategy and planning lead. She takes a business’s marketing objectives and turns them into a plan of action. Amy is responsible for planning and scheduling your digital strategy and monitoring its performance. Amy specialises in content marketing, helping businesses to communicate with their target audiences online. She helps businesses to create original content that is useful and interesting to potential customers. Amy has 10 years’ experience as a content marketer and is a member of the ProCopywriters alliance of commercial writers. She has a BA Hons Degree in English Literature. Amy is an aspiring gardener and loves sushi, yoga, and festivals.
Social Media Specialist
Ben is our resident social specialist, helping businesses to find an authentic and consistent voice online. Ben manages the organic and paid social media strategies for our clients. He helps businesses to grow their audience through a combination of scheduled posts, in-the-moment activity, and targeted paid ads. Ben is an employee advocacy specialist and delivers personalised training to help businesses and employees harness the power of social media. Ben has 13 years in digital marketing, working with B2C and B2B audiences. He is LinkedIn Marketing Strategy Certified and an Advertising graduate. Ben loves going to gigs, watching true crime documentaries and having a daft laugh.
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