SETTLE cheese specialist Andy Swinscoe is being used a s a case study for a conference focusing in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Thrive Yorkshire is being held on September 25 from 9am to 5pm at The Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley, and will examine how SMEs continue to grow and prosper.

Mr Swinscoe, managing director of The Courtyard Dairy, said: “When you first start out I firmly believe that in order to be successful you need to set out your values and ethos and stick to them.

“In order to grow the business we had to learn a lot of new skills and knowledge, in particular in the fields of social media, web design, recruitment and strategy planning. We received some great outside help from organisations such as Superfast North Yorkshire and Growth Accelerator, who were essential in helping us to grow.

“In the short term we will continue to grow our existing mail order and wholesale business and are currently investing in our online business. In the medium-long term, growth for the shop will probably entail looking at a bigger retail unit, either in addition to or in replacement of our current site. We are running out of space! "

Andy’s message to business owners who are committed to growing their business is: “Stick to your ethos and try not to deviate and seek help and acquire new skills and knowledge from relevant organisations such as those attending Thrive Yorkshire.”

For more information on becoming an Exhibitor/Sponsor or on attending the event, please go to thriveyorkshire.co.uk or contact ‘Thrive Yorkshire’ on info@thriveyorkshire.co.uk. Follow us on Twitter @thriveyorkshire and Facebook at facebook.com/thriveyorkshire for more updates and advice. For more information on the Ilkley Business Forum please visit ilkleybusinessforum.co.uk