Member Article

Sunderland businesses urged to collaborate in new partnership for better future

Sunderland-based companies gathered at Sunderland Football Club’s Stadium of Light last wednesday, attending an event calling for collaboration amongst the city’s businesses to create a better future.

The Vibrancy Partnership aims to generate funds to be invested in joint campaigns and initiatives to make the city a place more people choose to live, study, work and play.

Gary Hutchinson, commercial director at Sunderland AFC and chair of the Sunderland Business Group, delivered the event.

Mr Hutchinson explained: “The event was designed to be a celebration of all things Sunderland, but the main purpose was to create an event that brought people with us on a journey that we believe can transform Sunderland.

“There is some fantastic work going on in the city, and some really incredible businesses are based here. We believe that – by pooling resources, ideas and time – we can create a partnership that can make a serious impression on a regional, national and international stage.

“We have a vision that maps out what the city can be in three, six and nine years, and we need the business community in Sunderland to support with that. Only by working together can we achieve everything we are capable of.”

The event featured a ‘Vision for Sunderland’ speech from business leader and chair of Sunderland City Council’s Economic Leadership Board, Paul Callaghan, who urged the business community to join up to the partnership. Mr Callaghan also shared updates on a programme of redevelopment in the city that amounts to more than £1bn, which will transform the city skyline.

Mr Callaghan, who founded the city’s internationally successful Leighton Group, which employs more than 300, said: “Through this partnership, we become players not spectators. We make a difference to a city that is transforming and that has a tangible vision for the future, that will make Sunderland a better place for our children and grandchildren. A place that we can be truly proud to call our home.”

Allison Thompson of Sunderland-based Ashmore Consulting, the company that has guided the development of the partnership scheme as well as the city’s vibrancy agenda, also spoke to over 100 business people at the welcome event, which featured live entertainment from local band Lilliput.

She said: “The message to the business community is, if not you, then who? Sunderland is a place that will change significantly over the coming nine years, and with the support of people and enterprises here, we can tell that story to more people and shine a spotlight on the city.”

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