North East business leaders have hailed the success of a popular business festival, with hundreds attending events across Sunderland.
Sunderland Business Festival, which returned for a fourth year, ran from October 14 – 18, with headline speakers including hairy biker Si King, TV architect George Clarke and social media pioneer Alex Partridge. The trio took part in fire-side chats, discussing their lives and careers at an event hosted by former BBC Look North newsreader Jeff Brown on Thursday, October 17.
The week-long festival included expert presentations, panel discussions, sofa chats, networking, workshops and more. Numbers reveal almost 1,000 people attended sessions that formed part of the programme, with organisations taking part including the Bank of England, North East Combined Authority, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Sunderland AFC and Hummel, alongside leaders from key Sunderland organisations, playing a part in the festival.
Patrick Melia, chief executive of festival headline sponsor Sunderland City Council, said: “Sunderland Business Festival provided a fantastic opportunity to showcase our changing city to a business audience from across the North East and to shine a light on the many ways in which the city is positively contributing to the regional economy too.”
The festival was organised by Sunderland Business Partnership, a collective of organisations – large and small – all with an interest in the city’s development, creating opportunities for members to collaborate and grow, which in turn helps Sunderland to be a more dynamic destination for business.
Rob Lawson OBE, chair of Sunderland Business Partnership, said: “We were delighted to deliver another successful business festival in Sunderland, which showcased what a brilliant, dynamic place the city is for enterprise.
“There were so many inspirational talks during the week as well as what I’m sure will be really useful takeaways for businesses.
“I’d like to thank all our wonderful speakers and venues who made the event so enjoyable.”
The festival also showcased some of Sunderland’s premier venues, including the recently opened Sheepfolds Stables, Hope Street Xchange, Beacon of Light, City Hall and Mackies Corner.
Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland Business Improvement District, said: “The week was superb. There were some amazing announcements and the positivity was incredible. And I know there’ll be many productive conversations sparked off the back of it.
“As an organisation, we are so proud to be part of Sunderland Business Festival.”
Sunderland Business Festival was sponsored by Sunderland City Council, the North East BIC, BDN, Creo Comms and Sheepfolds Stables.
John McCabe, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: “It was great to be part of the line-up for the festival discussing the North East economy, the region’s opportunities and of course, devolution, and the significant benefits it will bring to the city.”