20 | Aycliffe Today Business
UNI WANTS TO
HELP AYCLIFFE
BUSINESS PROSPER
The University of Sunderland’s
Business Development Manager, Mark
Donnelly, is opening the door to firms
on Aycliffe Business Park.
The University of Sunderland has outlined plans to help Newton Aycliffe
firms grow their business with some exciting opportunities.
A host of resources are available to companies
who either want to tap into graduate schemes
or get advice from leading industry academics.
And the University of Sunderland’s Business
Development Manager, Mark Donnelly, says
businesses can get the ball rolling with a
simple, no-obligation conversation.
Mark recently attended a news and networking
event on Aycliffe Business Park and has been
impressed by both the steering group and the
keen involvement shown by firms.
So much so, in fact, that he’s volunteered
his services to help administer the new task
groups that have been set up.
Mark says the University of Sunderland - which
is heading up the University Technical College
(UTC) plans for the park along with Hitachi and
Gestamp Tallent - is keen to work with Aycliffe
firms of all shapes and sizes.
“I’m looking to spend a significant amount
of time here on Aycliffe Business Park, says
”
Mark.
“We want to start the conversation with
businesses, to build links and hopefully start
working together, which helps them to further
their business and also give something back to
the University.
“That could be through student projects, or
through graduate employment opportunities.
“We want businesses to just find out more
about us and we can start that with a very
informal conversation.
“But practical things we may be able to
help with could be linking them with current
students, who can provide an extra pair of
hands to do things they might not have the
capacity to do - such as a marketing or IT
project.
“They can bring fresh ideas, new ways of
thinking and new knowledge that can be
embedded into the business.
”
“Firms can also consider graduates. Some
companies might not know how to go about
the process of employing graduates - we can