The Entrepreneurs’ Forum has strengthened its relationship with North East universities through a partnership that will support entrepreneurialism and the region’s business community.
The organisation has collaborated with Newcastle University, Northumbria University, The University of Sunderland and Teesside University to develop better relationships between academia and North East entrepreneurial businesses.
The North East contains a collection of high quality universities that produce talented and innovative graduates, and spin-out businesses.
Working with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, the universities will further engage the entrepreneurial talents of their students while encouraging them to remain in the region to be part of the North East’s vibrant and diverse economy.
The partnerships will also help businesses tap into the talent and capabilities offered by the universities, including research and development specialisms, to support their scale-up ambitions.
Gillian Marshall, Chief Executive of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: “It is vitally important to retain skills, businesses and promote jobs in the North East, while, crucially, keeping talented individuals and graduates in the region and supporting them into jobs that have been created in our towns and cities.
“This latest partnership with the region’s universities will grant talented individuals access to industry and experience of enterprise, as well as affording businesses the opportunity to take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities across our university partners’ campuses. We are looking forward to working with our latest academic partners and equally supporting our members with the services available through the partnership.”
Prof Sharon Mavin, Director of Newcastle University Business School, said: “The Business School is delighted to lead Newcastle University’s partnership with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum. As a University, we have always had a clear focus on education and research that is of direct relevance to our city and region and this partnership enhances opportunities for students and staff to engage with some of the most entrepreneurial businesses in the region. We look forward to working collaboratively with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and its members to stimulate innovation and prosperity and ensure that our talented students are increasingly aware of the opportunities that are available to them within our region”
Tim Pain, Deputy Director (Innovation and Corporate Development) at the University of Sunderland, said: “At the University of Sunderland we really value the Entrepreneurs’ Forum as a means of forging new relationships for the University itself and our student and graduate entrepreneurs.”
Vince Robson, Northumbria University Business Development Manager, said: “Northumbria University is delighted to be working with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum. The Forum provides an excellent opportunity for the University to engage in two-way research and knowledge transfer with a community of forward thinking businesses.”
Professor Jane Turner OBE DL, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Business Engagement at Teesside University, said, “As a long-term partner of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, we’re delighted that this wider partnership is being formed. Enterprise and entrepreneurship are front and centre of Teesside University’s strategy, and as an anchor institution in the region, we, alongside the regional universities, have a vital role to play in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. We look forward to continuing our work with the Forum to ensure the SME community thrives, through access to our graduate talent, research and innovation expertise whilst we continue to grow the entrepreneurial capability that we nurture in our ‘Launchpad’ experience.”
The Entrepreneurs’ Forum represents more than 300 individual member companies, which have a combined turnover of more than £2.3 billion and in excess of 23,000 employees.