Business leaders gather for IoD launch

MORE than 300 business professionals from across Yorkshire gathered in Leeds to attend the launch of the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) exclusive new club.

IoD members and guests gathered at 3 Albion Place to tour the site, which offers a WiFi connected Directors’ Room, as well as access to the restaurant and bar.

Built in 1820 as residences for the son and grandson of William Hey, a distinguished surgeon, 3 Albion Place was converted into ‘The Leeds Club’, a place where the city’s leaders could meet, in 1863.

Over the last two years the building and the club have been acquired and redeveloped by a group of companies led by David Criddle.

Leeds now joins seven other UK cities including London, Manchester and Birmingham, as well as Brussels and Paris, as a centre where IoD members can meet and network with fellow business leaders whether they are based locally or visiting the city.

Nimble Thompson, regional chairman for the IoD in Yorkshire & the Humber said: “It has been one of my key aims to deliver a Yorkshire-based member facility during my time as chairman in order to respond to the keen demand from our members.

“I am therefore delighted to officially launch 3 Albion Place where the facilities on offer will provide our members with a professional environment in which they can conduct business in the commercial centre of Leeds and aid members from outside the region to operate more effectively within Yorkshire.”

Mr Criddle added: “This has been an exciting programme of redevelopment and we are absolutely delighted that a prestigious organisation such as the IoD want to be part of it.”

The IoD has also relocated its regional headquarters from the Headrow to 3 Albion Place.