OLDHAM'S business glitterati gathered at Latics' Boundary Park to champion networking and charity activities, including a £1,000 donation to Dr Kershaw's Hospice.

The not-for-profit group Professional Oldham met at Oldham Event Centre, located in the north stand at the football ground, for an event co-hosted by Lisa Buckley, capital appeals fundraiser at Dr Kershaw's and Gemma Carling, events manager at the venue.

Lisa Buckley welcomed guests and outlined Professional Oldham’s development over the past three years. The group has held a variety of events including talks, tours, wine and gin tastings, engineering and manufacturing demonstrations and a barbecue.

Events have been held at venues including the Odeon cinema at Oldham’s redeveloped Old Town Hall, Naked Bean Café, George Street Chapel, Oldham Training Centre, Gallery Oldham, Hack Oldham technology and crafts hub, radio station Revolution 96.2 and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

In addition to focusing on networking events for local businesses, Lisa explained that the networking group also supports local charity activities including the hospice and a £1,000 donation was to be presented to the hospice.

Gemma highlighted the Events Centre facilities and services for business events and other activities, through the week and also on match days.

Business represented on the night included consultancy 23 Degrees, Costco, civil and structural engineers Edge Structural Design, Foresight, Adam Husband of FW Capital, George Hill Timber, Glo Gym, Handelsbanken, Happy Creative, M People Recruitment, North Ainley Solicitors, Oldham Community Leisure, O’Donnell Solicitors, Oldham Training Centre, Pearson Solicitors & Financial Advisers, Physio Matters, Ryder & Dutton, Staff Recruitment, Studio G, The Office and Forty 3 Media.

Guests had a chance to look around the venue and see inside some of the Latics' matchday hospitality boxes.

A buffet and wine were provided by the event centre catering team including head chef Steve Coyne and sous-chef Jade Beswick, who has recently completed an apprenticeship.

Another speaker on the night was Glenn Drake Owen, associate partner at commercial and industrial property agency and surveyors Breakey & Nuttall. Glenn recently joined the Professional Oldham volunteer steering group and said he was looking forward to helping it develop further.

Other volunteer organisers include Suzanne Wright of Pearson Solicitors and financial advisers, Bridget Batty of Limetree Public Relations and Pearson Solicitors, Stephanie Doherty and Helan Graham, both of Caremark Oldham, and Robbie MacDonald of Oldham Business Edge magazine and Cornerstone Design & Marketing.

Hospice staff Dave Whaley, Jill Kirkham, Vicky Stackhouse and Molly Howe also helped with planning and administrating the event.