Newcastle International Airport (NIA) has given its further backing to North East enterprise by becoming a Business Support partner of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum.
NIA will support the ambitions of Forum’s members to grow and create further employment through the organisation’s Business Support Partner programme, which gives entrepreneurs access to a broad cohort of regional organisations.
The programme expands the reach of the organisation to embrace those from within the business community that are outside of its membership criteria, but can add value to the entrepreneurial endeavours of the region.
It supports the development of entrepreneurs, allowing companies to expose themselves to new ideas that will help to drive growth and change and create opportunities.
Serving a catchment area of the North East, South Scotland, Cumbria, and North Yorkshire, the airport contributes directly £581 million into the regional economy every year and served more than 4.8m passengers in 2016.
The airport connects to more than 80 destinations directly and provides customers with access via a wider global network through London Heathrow, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Dublin, Copenhagen and Dubai.
As the international gateway for the North East, the airport was recently announced as the second most punctual in the world, with over 90% of flights both leaving and arriving on time.
Gillian Marshall, chief executive of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: “We are delighted that Newcastle International Airport has agreed to become one of our business support partners. NIA is vital to the business lifeblood of the North East, as it is helping to keep the region moving and connected; it’s vital to have a highly connected, international airport.
“This news is a boost to our support network which nurtures and helps grow home-grown businesses from their early stages through to expansion and growth. Our partnership will help NIA forge relationships with the region’s entrepreneurs.
“Our corporate partners do an amazing job collaborating and sharing knowledge that will lead to growth and wealth generation in our region.”
Graeme Mason, planning and corporate affairs director at NIA, said: “We’re very pleased to be welcomed as a business partner of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, as it’s such an influential and engaging organisation that provides valuable support to businesses within our region.
“The partnership will also help us connect with business leaders, which is one of our key aims.”
For more information, visit http://www.entrepreneursforum.net.