Established in 1995, Hays Travel Independence group marked its thirtieth anniversary with a celebratory dinner for members at Carden Park, the beautiful Cheshire hotel where the consortia held its UK Conference in March.

Independence Group members from businesses across the UK joined friends new and old at a drinks reception on the hotel’s terrace, before a sumptuous silver and white themed dinner.

Lucky guests walked away with incredible prizes donated by supplier partners and the evening ended in the early hours after plenty of dancing.

Dame Irene Hays said: “The objective we set ourselves has not changed since we established our Hays Travel Independence Group thirty years ago – that is to offer our members a partnership for profit. We wanted to work with likeminded entrepreneurs and support them on their journey to running successful, high-quality businesses.

“Our birthday party was a superb celebration of our members’ achievements and successes – we are proud to be associated with them all.”

Harriet Thompson, Head of Hays Travel Independence Group, said: “Working in partnership with our members to support their business growth and profitability is at the heart of our Independence Group approach and we thoroughly enjoy seeing them succeed.

"Spending the evening together celebrating their success was the perfect way to mark our milestone anniversary.”