16/06/2026
Well… we did it.
Yesterday we hosted the first meeting of Trust Leeds new BOSS Network, with Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, joining us as our guest speaker.
We started with the Boss Self Reliant Group, who have been helping shape the network behind the scenes, before moving online for the wider launch and a Q&A with the Mayor.
The whole things was joyful - happy, supportive and kind. There was cake. There were lots of conversations about the realities of running a business. And, naturally, I didn’t take any photos, so the ones below were taken by Hannah at Spannermedia.
The Boss Network is funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and is all about supporting kitchen-table entrepreneurs across West Yorkshire. Running your own business can be lonely, and we’re hoping this network helps people realise they don’t have to do it on their own.
I also have to say a huge thank you to Rebecca Collins, who made sure everything ran smoothly (and helped me cope with the inevitable wobbles and hiccups along the way). We made a great team.
And thank you to Mayor Tracy Brabin for helping us launch the network, and to Virgin Money in Leeds for letting us use their brilliant space.