A networking referral organisation is celebrating a landmark achievement as one of its members becomes the first to generate over £1m worth of business for colleagues within his chapter.

Business Networking International (BNI) is celebrating the landmark achievement in its longest-established Welsh chapter; Cardiff-based Quinnell.

Douglas Haig, Managing Director of Seraph Property Management, has been a member of BNI South East Wales for over ten years and recently passed the £1m mark in qualified business that he has generated for other members in Quinnell; a group which meets weekly in north Cardiff.

The landmark comes almost a year to the day that BNI South East Wales, which is a franchise of global business referral organisation Business Network International, was acquired by two longstanding members, husband and wife, Pip and Gavin Hill-John.

Speaking of the achievement, Douglas said:

“I’ve been a member of Quinnell for over ten years and it has been a staple of my business development strategy since day one. Of all the business that I have passed, as well as those people I have introduced, I would think it’s had a profound effect on many lives and businesses within Cardiff and South Wales. The amount of quality businesses we have had in our chapter, and in the BNI South East Wales region, has helped me introduce and refer my fellow members relatively easily. I have also been fortunate to generate nearly £1.2m for my business over the past decade, so it goes to show that what goes around, comes around. As BNI proudly claims, givers really do gain.

“Of course, people like to deal with those who are recommended, and that’s where BNI can really help businesses flourish from humble beginnings to bright futures. With the right attitude, good work ethic and appreciation of how important it is to always do a good job, BNI can help people make a success of themselves and grow their businesses in a sustainable and appropriate manner.”

Pip and Gavin Hill-John, who are prominent Cardiff County Councillors, are huge backers of private enterprise in Wales and since purchasing the business, have set about creating new chapters across South East Wales, in St Mellons, Llanharan, Caerphilly, Ebbw Vale.

Pip said:

“This is terrific news. Douglas has been a longstanding BNI member, has held many key roles within the group and supported many of the business owners in their development by passing business to them. We are very fortunate to have Douglas as part of the organisation.”

Gavin said:

“Hard work truly pays off and this is what we want to encourage all our members to achieve as we work towards creating an organisation that generates £48 million every year for Welsh businesses.”

BNI South East Wales has seven chapters across the region that meet weekly to pass genuine business referrals amongst its members since its introduction to Wales in 2003.

BNI Quinnell meets on Friday mornings from 6.45am at the Cardiff North Hotel just off the A48.