Joe Manby Ltd (From York Press)

Joe Manby Ltd

1:36pm Friday 10th July 2009 in Profiles

BROTHERS Richard and Andrew Manby know what it means to be on show.

Their Harrogate firm has been perfecting the art of being “on display” for the past 35 years.

They are, after all, the heirs to Joe Manby Ltd, which offers a full range of exhibition and conference services to all the major venues in the UK.

The firm is thought to be the largest independent family business within its sector.

So it is hardly surprising that the brothers have entered Joe Manby Ltd in the Family Business Of The Year category in The Press Business Awards 2009.

Adorning the walls of the company’s offices in Hookstone Park are testimonials from appreciative clients, including David Cameron, the Tory leader.

The venture was started by the late Joe Manby in 1974 as a specialist event company to service the growing number of shows in Harrogate.

But its reputation – and order book – quickly extended to exhibition centres throughout the UK.

Since Joe’s death in 1995, his sons Richard, now 53, and Andrew, 55, have continued that success.

Today the company boasts an annual show portfolio of 80 events in more than 25 venues in the UK.