LASTING LEGACY
Kerina Clark reflects on her 12 years as chair of Aycliffe Business Park Community
Newtonian Kerina Clark is proud to have served as chair of the Aycliffe Business Park Community board for more than 12 years .
For more than a decade , Kerina Clark has been at the heart of Aycliffe Business Park Community ( ABPC ), playing a key role in shaping its identity as a thriving , connected and dynamic hub .
As she steps down after 12 years as chair , she reflects , with Aycliffe Business editor Martin Walker , on the journey ..
ABPC chair Kerina Clark at the launch of the inaugural Make Your Mark Awards in 2015 .
The idea of Aycliffe Business Park as more than just a collection of companies emerged from an early meeting where business leaders struggled to agree on how best to improve the park .
CCTV , signage , promotion – everyone had different priorities . But what was missing , Kerina recalls , was a real sense of community .
It was a comment from Pamela Petty , one of the early members , that resonated the most : “ I just want to know who I go to for my proverbial cup of sugar .”
That sentiment became a foundation for everything that followed .
“ We realised then that relationships were key ,” says Kerina .
“ If people got to know each other , the opportunities would come naturally . Your resources are in your relationships .”
With that ethos in mind , Kerina and a group of like-minded business leaders established a steering committee to foster better connections between companies on the park .
The early days saw small gatherings , but soon they launched a formal networking event – and it took off .
Their first official launch event , hosted at the former Xcel Centre ( now known as Glow ), attracted more than 100 people . From there , the community grew exponentially .
Today , more than 250 companies are actively engaged with ABPC , attending networking events and supporting one another in ways that go beyond business transactions .
“ What ’ s brilliant is that people now understand it ’ s an investment of their time ,” says Kerina .
“ It ’ s not about making a quick sale – it ’ s about being part of a business community . “ The sales might come as a byproduct of those relationships . The ones who stuck around and got involved are the ones who ‘ get it ’ – and they ’ re the ones who have benefited the most .”
When asked about her proudest achievements , Kerina finds it hard to pick just one .
The sheer growth of the community stands out , as does the impact of businesses that have gained national and international recognition .
One key milestone was the arrival of Hitachi Rail . While Kerina is quick to point out that Aycliffe Business Park isn ’ t just about one company , she acknowledges the transformative role Hitachi played in raising
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