Our First-Ever ‘Meet Our Members’ Event — With Award-Winning Guest Speaker and a Rising Star
- Yorkshire Ladies Links
- May 12
- 3 min read
Updated: May 12
We’ve hosted many incredible events over the years, but our first-ever Meet Our Members gathering at the elegant Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate, was truly something special.
Yorkshire Ladies Links is known for large-scale conferences, but this time, we chose a more intimate setting, one that allowed our members and guests to connect more closely, share stories, and build genuine relationships.
And it worked beautifully.
The day began with a warm welcome and sparkling drinks and canapés, kindly sponsored by our long-standing supporters at Classic Lodges. The atmosphere was set, relaxed, inspiring, and full of conversation.
We were delighted to hear from a fantastic lineup of speakers:
Melanie Malcolm, founder of Yorkshire Ladies Links, opened with a warm and appreciative message, thanking everyone for their continued support.
David Ritson, General Manager at the Old Swan, spoke with pride about hosting our event at such a historic venue.
Naomi Phillips from Classic Lodges shared her continued support for Yorkshire Ladies Links.
Paula Guanaria from Leeds Hospitals Charity moved us all with stories of hope and impact, and thanked the YLL community for supporting their work at our upcoming October charity event.
Then came the moment we had been keeping under wraps…
We were honoured to welcome back award-winning speaker Richard McCann, one of the very first keynote speakers from our 2016 conference. But this time, he brought with him someone who completely stole the spotlight — his daughter, Skye McCann.
And what a debut it was.
Skye captivated the audience with her courage, authenticity, and yes, her incredible hair! She shared powerful stories about trusting her gut instinct, from ending a relationship that didn’t feel right, to standing up to inappropriate behaviour from someone in a position of trust. She also spoke about the moment she decided to take control of her future, turning down a university place after receiving her A-level results to pursue her dream of becoming a personal trainer.
In just a few months, she’s already built up 16 clients and launched her business: FIT – Female Inspiration Transformation. Skye also announced that she’s launching her first online coaching programme and generously offered an exclusive discount to Yorkshire Ladies Links members who want to feel confident and strong heading into summer.
Richard, as ever, shared his trademark message of iCan, and it’s clear that it’s had a lasting impact. Skye’s confidence, resilience, and drive are a testament to that.
The future looks bright for this young entrepreneur… and judging by the audience response, this won’t be the only time we hear from Skye. Melanie closed the day with heartfelt thanks to all who attended and shared the exciting news that Skye is now our youngest ever member of Yorkshire Ladies Links. We’re sure this is just the beginning of her journey with our community.
And as if that wasn’t enough, the afternoon continued out on the lawn — sunshine, more bubbles, more delicious canapés, and even more connection.
Want to Connect with Richard and Skye?
We know many of you were inspired by Richard and Skye McCann and are interested in staying connected. You can find them here:
Richard McCann
Book Richard for keynote talks, workshops, and motivational speaking engagements.
Skye McCann – FIT (Female Inspiration Transformation)
Learn more about Skye’s personal training services, join her online coaching programme, or follow her journey.
Don’t Miss Our Next Event!
Friday 3rd October, 2025 | Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate
Our #Hellomynameis Charity Lunch & Business Showcase is already booking fast. This is one of our most anticipated events of the year — and we’d love for you to join us.
Spaces are limited, so don’t wait — be part of this incredible community - BOOK HERE
Want to Join Our Membership?
Click here to see who has already joined our Members Club and find out how you can sign up today!
Membership renewals will begin on 1st January 2026, with renewal details coming later this year.
Please feel free to fill out the contact form on our website for more information www.yorkshireladieslinks.co.uk
