The Chamber was the first in Yorkshire to introduce student membership and the feedback has been extremely positive.

Launched at the University of Sheffield, the introduction follows a successful pilot scheme with Chamber Patrons Sheffield Hallam University last year.

And one of the many students benefiting from being part of the leading business organisation is Jonny Douglas.

Jonny, who completed a Product Design degree at Sheffield Hallam University and joined the Chamber when he was a student said: "I'd been using the Enterprise Centre at university and staff there recommended that I join the Chamber.

"It's been really useful. It's provided me with numerous opportunities and given me a gateway into the arena of networking."

Jonny, who has set up his own creative design company Jonny Douglas Limited, has already received significant recognition. While at university he was named Most Enterprising Student in Yorkshire and the Humber in the Shell Step Awards, he was a finalist in the Venturefest Yorkshire: Investment competition and a semi finalist in the Enterprise Challenge. He is now on the high growth start-up program.

He said: "Through the Chamber I've been on courses to develop my business skills such as sales and marketing. Coming from a design background I know that I've got the technical skills and creativity but I didn't perhaps have the business skills needed to run my own company.

"As a student and subsequently graduate member of the Chamber I've found it very useful and I think it works very well. It was great to be in a business environment while still a student because it helps to develop your understanding of the circles you'll soon be moving in.

"I've found the networking particularly useful - I've established contacts that are looking like turning into clients."

Said Jonny: "As a recent graduate, starting my own business, I was amazed by the amount of support on offer in the city. Sheffield Hallam University, the Chamber, Sheffield Technology Parks and Business Link South Yorkshire have all been great. In my experience there's a lot of help available for young entrepreneurs in Sheffield."

Student membership of the Chamber costs £25 for a full year and is designed to give students access to all of the traditional membership benefits, including a dedicated contact who can give them advice and support.

Chamber membership recruitment executive, Charles Grayson, who oversees the student membership scheme, said: "Sheffield has a large student population and the city also has a high retention rate so it makes sense that the leading business men and woman of the future are involved with the Chamber."

For more further information about student membership call Charles Grayson at the Chamber on 0114 201 8928.