Member Article

New ventures for Bernie Callaghan

As the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) begin their 20th year celebrations I thought it would be fitting to share the work a key figure has done for the region, he too helping to encourage the growth of key industries for over 20 years.

Professor Bernie Callaghan has announced he is stepping down as Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Sunderland. Now that the region is emerging from the economic downturn he thinks it is the right time to move onto new pastures in Spain.

It was 20 years ago that businessman Bernie alongside his brothers Paul and Gerard became tenants here at the BIC with their business the Leighton Group, which soon became a multi million pound turnover business, trading in 40 countries on five continents.

In 2009 the BIC worked closely with Bernie during the launch of Sunderland Software City where the BIC unveiled the award winning Jupiter Centre, it is wonderful to see this sector flourishing still from the hard work instilled by Bernie and many others and I would like to take a moment to thank Bernie for all his hard work for the North East and although he will be out of the region I certainly hope that he keeps close to his connections. Look forward to the postcard!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Howell .