Unlocking the potential of
What is Sunderland Business Partnership?
For more than a decade, Sunderland Business Partnership has been at the heart of the rebirth of our city. It is a business community united, championing the city and challenging Sunderland to be more ambitious, formed by some of the most successful businesses and organisations in and around the city.
And we’re driving change in Sunderland day-by-day, connecting businesses to create and build productive new partnerships, lobbying for the things the city needs to succeed and helping drive a thriving city through our work with members.
The Partnership’s flagship event is Sunderland Business Week, which aims to inspire businesses from the city and wider region; boost collaboration; and showcase the transforming cityscape to people from outside Sunderland who are keen to enjoy an exciting programme of events.
Having ran for five years, the event has attracted a line-up of nationally significant speakers over the years including Gary Neville, Jamie Laing, Colin Jackson, George Clarke, Si King and Alex Partridge.
Rob Lawson OBE, Chair, Sunderland Business Partnership
What are the benefits?
Sunderland Business Partnership proudly sits at the forefront of the rebirth of the city. It supports business to prosper and succeed in Sunderland by providing a united voice business, powerful connections and a host of other benefits.
Connections
Business opportunities
Training
Promotion
Our latest meeting
We held our last meeting at The Yard.
- Marion Dixon from Sunderland City Council, gave an overview of plans for Radio 1’s Big Weekend. The event will be a huge showcase for Sunderland – which has already benefited from significant exposure in the lead up to it. There will be around 120,000 people attending across the three days, with millions more watching and listening across the BBC. It will bring significant spend, as well as providing the chance to highlight all the great things Sunderland has to offer.
- Ross Millard then gave us some background to Summer Streets Festival, which has been running for 12 years and is returning from 4 – 5 July, 2026. Taking place at Cliffe Park, with the beautiful backdrop of the Sunderland coastline, the event is un-ticketed and accessible to all. It brings together community groups alongside world-class artists for a family friendly event.
If you would like to join the next meeting as a guest get in touch
Our Members
A collective of organisations – large and small – all with an interest in the city’s development, looking for opportunities to collaborate and grow, which in turn helps Sunderland to be a more dynamic destination for business.
Join us
We are a partnership created for anyone who shares a passion to celebrate and promote everything that can inspire Sunderland to become a vibrant place in which to live, work, study and play… and while we have achieved much, there remains much more to be done.