Pictured ( left to right ): Denis Heaney ( North East LEP ), Nigel Freeman ( BTS Facades & Fabrications , Ellie Shooter ( Digital Edge ), Kathryn Howe ( Valhalla North ), Paul Gordon ( The Fish Tank ), Lucy Johnson ( North East LEP ) and Pamela Petty ( Aycliffe Business Park Community ).
CENTRE STAGE
Make Your Mark winners star at networking event
Four winners from this year ’ s Make Your Mark Awards were represented during a special Q & A panel for the next networking event on Aycliffe Business Park this summer .
The interview session formed part of the News & Networking event , sponsored by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership .
The quartet represented their businesses who all won a category at the 2022 Make Your Mark Awards at Redworth Hall in May . The Q & A panel consisted of :
• Paul Gordon , director of the The Fish Tank ( Best Newcomer )
• Ellie Shooter , marketing apprentice , Digital Edge ( Apprentice of the Year )
• Kathryn Howe , director , Valhalla North ( Innovation )
• Nigel Freeman , operations director , BTS Facades & Fabrications ( Engineering & Manufacturing )
Organiser Martin Walker , a director of Aycliffe Business Park Community , said : “ It was fantastic to hear from four of the winners , who recalled what was a fantastic night at Redworth Hall back in May .
“ It was a great opportunity for those who weren ’ t able to attend the awards event to hear about their experience of the night and what it meant to them .”
The networking event was sponsored by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership ( North East LEP ), a private , public and education partnership working across seven local authority areas .
Lucy Johnson and Denis Heaney , from the North East LEP , delivered a presentation on their North East Ambition programme with a focus on bridging the gap between education and business to ensure line of sight from the classroom to the world of work .
“ We were delighted to have the opportunity to present to businesses in County Durham , specifically those on the Aycliffe Business Park ,” said Lucy .
“ It was evident the passion that these businesses have for collaboration and we are really excited to continue conversations around engaging with education .
“ It was great to present to businesses who have a collective passion for working together and celebrating success , and we hope to support many of these businesses to engage with local schools and colleges to support future talent pipeline and continued growth in their industry .
“ What an inspiring event , hearing from businesses who were part of the Make Your Mark Awards celebrating their successes and enthusiasm to continue to grow and thrive in the region .
“ There was a welcoming atmosphere and buzz in the room at the networking event . Hearing from businesses about their plans for expansion and growth really aligned to our work to support young people , teachers and parents to understand the amazing opportunities in the region and on the doorstep .”
Find out about future networking events at aycliffebusinesspark . co . uk / events .
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 27