Conference aiming to help businesses to provide some love for customers

A major conference is being held in Yorkshire this summer to help small businesses improve their standards of customer service.

Speakers from some of Britain’s most successful brands will pass on tips about how to get to the top.

The York-based national customer service accreditation body, Customer First UK, is holding an event at the Met Hotel, in Leeds, on June 15, which has attracted some of the biggest names in business.

They include Jason Sharpe, the customer service and sales director at First Direct, John Leathem, the customer relationships director at Ford Retail Group, Peter Sinden, the director of sales and services at LV, and John Hague, the Waitrose customer service trainer.

The event will be chaired by customer service expert Derek Williams.

The one-day conference, entitled Loving The Customer, will explore the principles of creating successful customer relationships. There will also be opportunities to network and participate in group discussions and interactive seminars.

The conference, which is being supported by the Customer Service Training Network and the Wow Awards, is expected to attract more than 150 delegates nationally.

Frea O’Brien, Customer First UK chief executive, said: “This event will examine how and why good customer service is a major differentiating factor for successful organisations and brands.

“Discussion will also focus on how businesses can engage with the right customers through marketing and social media and review the steps to building long-lasting relationships that turn customers into loyal brand advocates.”

Customer First UK, which is based in Clifton Moor, near York, offers accreditation to businesses and organisations that have met its internationally-recognised quality standard.

For further information on the conference, visit the website, www.lovingthecustomer.com