Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business Issue 43 | Page 13

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 13
/NEWS
Aycliffe Today
appoints new
business
manager to
lead growth
A
ycliffe Today has appointed a new key
manager to drive ambitious growth
plans starting in 2020.
Sharon Hutchinson has joined the Aycliffe
Today team as business manager to primarily
focus on business planning and strategy,
as well as the sales and marketing of both
Aycliffe Today and its associated Aycliffe
Today Business magazine.
Sharon, a lifelong resident of Newton
Aycliffe, is now the first point of contact for
Aycliffe Today, as she aims to grow the brand
by retaining existing customers and winning
new clients – with a long-term ambition of
creating new full-time jobs.
Sharon’s previous role was as operations
director for law firm Endeavour Partnership,
during which time she was a board member
of Aycliffe Business Park Community.
“I’m really excited about this new role and
for the future of Aycliffe Today,” said Sharon,
who is currently chair of Darlington Business
Club and was also recently appointed the
business representative for Great Aycliffe and
Middridge Partnership (GAMP).
“Aycliffe Today has established itself
as a strong community platform for local
organisations and businesses since it was
launched eight years ago.
“I’m looking forward to helping to take the
development of the brand to the next level.”
Aycliffe Today was launched eight years
ago, with a focus on delivering online
community, sport and business news, and
the business magazine followed in November
2012.
Since then, the magazine has established
itself as the business publication for Aycliffe
Business Park – the North-East’s largest
business park, home to 500 companies and
an estimated 10-12,000 employees.
Sharon said: “Everyone who knows me,
knows I am passionate about supporting
local businesses and helping them connect
with each other, so working with the Aycliffe
Today team is such a natural fit.
“I am really looking forward to building
on the great work that has already been
done and showcasing more of the fabulous
businesses we have on our doorstep.”
Martin Walker, director of Aycliffe-based
Mantis Media, which publishes Aycliffe
Today, said: “This an exciting development
for us and I’m confident – as the new “face”
of Aycliffe Today – that Sharon will help us to
realise our full potential.
“Aycliffe Today Business provided a
launchpad for other publications which I’ve
launched in other areas of the region, so it’s
important that we maintain the development
of the Aycliffe brand with someone who can
be locally-based 24-7.
“Sharon is already well connected on
the business park and, more importantly,
she lives in Aycliffe – and it was important
we appointed someone with that local
knowledge, as well as contacts.”
Aycliffe Today Business provides firms
with a unique platform to tell everyone about
their services and success stories in its
prestigious, high-quality publication.
More than 120 firms have used Aycliffe
Today Business for their marketing needs –
whether it be for PR, brand awareness, direct
advertising or for recruitment purposes.
As well as the business magazine,
Aycliffe Today can promote businesses
online through its website and social media
channels – reaching thousands of people
across Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and
Instagram – with sponsored content from
just £295.
To enquire about promoting your business with Aycliffe Today,
or to ask for a Media Pack, Sharon can be contacted on either
07940 870310 or at [e-mail]