Host Peter Barron interviews Aycliffe Business founder Martin Walker before the panel Q & A .
Community board member . Delegates also heard from Geoff Hunton , director of Merchant Anglo – the man largely credited with bring Hitachi to Aycliffe .
During the event , Gestamp boss Jonathan said : “ Aycliffe Business harnesses the community spirit of the business park , and I think that ’ s really important .
“ We talk about the difficulties of the future and for me I think there ’ s a resilience . You look at the diversity of the employers and the different industries that we support .”
3M ’ s Aycliffe plant manager Paul added : “ I ’ ve known Martin ( Walker ) for a long time , we ’ re the same age and to see him do what he ’ s done is absolutely incredible .
“ 3M in general don ’ t typically go out and put themselves around to this kind of stuff . I took it upon myself to come over and find out what this is all about .
“ It ’ s a huge shock to see how many people are here and just to connect with people .
We ’ ve had a few people in the plant since we ’ ve met and we ’ re going to have a few more in .”
Pamela Petty praised Aycliffe Business ’ s editorial content – citing the people featured within the publication which is a highlight for her .
“ We get to see the people behind the businesses ,” Pamela told delegates at Redworth Hall .
“ It just makes it nicer to be able to put faces to names and see different personalities . Yes , it ’ s about selling your business and the products and the services , but I think it ’ s a little bit more than that .
“ Even for us to think , “ where do we want to work ?” What seems like the right fit for me for a business to actually do business with or somewhere to go and work ?
“ I think Martin does that really well , he brings through the people in the magazine . It isn ’ t just flogging your wares .”
Geoff Hunton , largely credited with bringing Hitachi to Aycliffe around the same time as Aycliffe Business launched in 2012 , added : “ Martin supported us right the way through , with his ideas and thoughts , as we ’ ve advertised for things .
Around 80 delegates gathered for the event to mark Aycliffe Business ’ s 10th birthday .
“ It ’ s about community , it ’ s about people . Because at times we have needed Aycliffe ’ s support .”
Martin Walker added : “ I was delighted with the turn-out , especially on such a cold winter ’ s morning .
“ And I couldn ’ t have asked for a stronger , more interesting panel . They all gave interesting insights in to their own organisations , talked about the history of the business park and were open and honest when talking about the challenges businesses are expecting in the year ahead .”
Aycliffe Business are now working on issue # 62 , due out early April . The booking deadline is March 17 .
To book space , call Martin Walker on 01325 728024 , or email martin @ aycliffetoday . co . uk .
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 23