Siemens cheer work of £6.5 million Beacon enterprise centre

A flagship Newcastle enterprise centre is shining a light on the benefits of social and corporate responsibility – and finding its eco and wellbeing ethos embraced in return by organisations big and small.

And among those quick to reciprocate The Beacon’s high ideals is world-famous engineering and technology services company Siemens Energy Service Fossil (Siemens).

In a validation of the newly-built Beacon’s ‘green’ objectives, Siemens has begun hosting its monthly management meeting at the £6.5 million Westgate Road centre, which is funded by two charities; Centre West and Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle (STAN).

Around 200 Siemens staff at any one time have also taken part in employee engagement events and workshops.

Such is the success of the partnership – and those the centre enjoys with a host of other businesses and community groups – that Beacon bosses say its status as a focal point for socially-aware organisations in the North East has been confirmed.

Andrew Watts, on behalf of the Beacon, said the Siemens partnership showed how businesses could benefit from progressing their modern roles inside and outside the workplace.

He said: “Our ethos has caught the imagination of many businesses and organisations, and in many cases matches what they already strive to achieve.

“Like Siemens, they often have a deep sense of their corporate and social responsibility to their staff, customers and to the environment, and they have been able to encapsulate that by holding their meetings and events here.

“It is very important to the North East as a region of entrepreneurs and environmentally-friendly technologies, such as the wind energy market, that The Beacon is here to provide a place for them to meet that matches their ideals.

“It is a real boost to us to have a company of the reputation and repute of Siemens enjoying being part of this great environment.

“The Beacon is an emblem of change for the better in the west end of Newcastle and our approach is reflective of the modern way in which many organisations are going about establishing their social responsibilities.”

The Beacon – which benefitted from £2.42 million ERDF investment - opened in early 2012 and around 50 organisations use its flexible and affordable facilities - which include a 400-capicity conference room, rooms for group of around 10, and high-tech Skylight function suite - each month.

Clients include voluntary groups, charities and the NHS.

Vera Baird QC, Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, and MP Baroness Warsi, who was part of an event in The Beacon’s dedicated enterprise hub, have been other significant attendees.

Entrepreneurs can also hire a ‘desk-a-day’ or office to work from or for meetings, and the centre boasts a kitchen space that can be hired for events or training sessions, and a bistro for eating and networking is also on site.

Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry, infrastructure and cities, and healthcare.

Graham Hartley, managing director of Siemens Energy Service UK and Ireland said: “Siemens, and the Beacon Partnership, share a mutual and real commitment to social and corporate responsibility and holding our meetings and events at The Beacon means we can easily pursue and fulfil that aspect of our work.

“The Beacon also matches our needs for being a venue that is large enough to host events of various sizes and requirements, and for different purposes.

“Crucially, our workforce understands the aims and nature of The Beacon and the part it plays in the local community. They know that basing our events there means a charity that does excellent work across the region is being strongly supported.

“Most of our employees are from the Newcastle area and many are long-serving – they have a deep understanding and pride in supporting charity and their community, both factors that are also very important to Siemens as an employer of great distinction.”