A look back to...

October 2022

Recruitment Fair

Stadium of Light

10am – 3pm
A free-to-attend recruitment fair aimed at all ages, connecting people with excellent career and training opportunities

Tech Talent

Stadium of Light

10am – 3pm
Join digital and technology companies, training providers and further and higher education establishments for Tech Talent, the North East’s premier tech careers, jobs and skills event. Learn more about the exciting opportunities a career in tech could offer, and connect with training providers who can help you realise your ambitions.

Developing the North East’s film and media scene – with Fulwell73

The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s, Sunderland, SR6 0DD

1pm – 3pm
Join Fulwell73’s managing partner Leo Pearlman and UK CEO Johnny Moore as they discuss the company’s future plans that will put Sunderland and the North East at the forefront of the UK’s film and media industry. Learn how they made shows such as The Late Late Show With James Corden, Friends: The Reunion, Carpool Karaoke and Sunderland Til I Die.
This will be followed by a panel discussion where Johnny will joined by Alison Gwynn, CX of North East Screen; Peter McIntyre, executive director of city development at Sunderland City Council; and Helen Munson, the BBC’s commissioning editor for daytime and early peak to share how its MOU with the North East will spur on the growth of this important sector. The discussion will be hosted by University of Sunderland Pro Vice-Chancellor, Graeme Thompson MBE.

On the sofa with Dame Irene Hays

Hays Travel HQ

3.30pm – 4.30pm
Dame Irene is one of the North East’s top business leaders and is chair of Sunderland-based travel company Hays Travel, which she ran with her late husband John. The firm came to national prominence after acquiring Thomas Cook’s retail estate. Hays is the UK’s largest independent travel agent. Dame Irene enjoyed a long and successful career in local government, acting as chief executive of both Sunderland and South Tyneside local authorities. She also worked in Westminster as a director general at the Department of Communities and Local Government and non-executive board member at the Department for Education. She will discuss her life and career with host Rob Lawson OBE.

Business support event

Hope Street Xchange

9am – 11am
Join the Educational Development Trust as they outline some of the support they can offer to businesses.

Heather Mills

Seventeen Nineteen

11am – 12pm
Heather Mills has encountered an unusual life of extraordinary circumstances. She has showed an inert ability to defy and conquer anything that falls in her path, establishing herself as a successful entrepreneur, charity campaigner, world record holder and Paralympic ski racer, among many other things.
One of Heather’s most successful businesses to date is her multi-award-winning plant-based vegan ethical food company, VBites. The company exports to over 24 countries worldwide and has over 130 meat free, fish free and dairy free products in its range.
Heather will be discussing her life and career in business in an event that is sure to be a must see.

SAFC Talk – The Business of Football

Stadium of Light

7pm – 8.30pm
Hear from SAFC senior leadership team on what it takes to run a football club. This event will provide the opportunity to participate in an energetic and insightful discussion with Steve Davison and Kristjaan Speakman, following the promotion to the Championship. Tickets will cost £10 + booking fee, with the proceeds from the tickets going to the Foundation of Light..

Music Tech Meetup

Independent

7pm – 10pm
Tech Startup Sunderland Presents: Music Tech Meetup. This unique event brings together the thriving music and technology scenes in Sunderland and adds a business twist.
During this event, you’ll hear from Independent Sunderland, the fantastic venue for the evening, about its latest music tech course, alongside live music, drinks and networking.
The evening will also shine a spotlight on local songwriter, Eddie Scott. Through the Tech Startup Sunderland programme, Eddie has launched his business, a music platform called “Write Your Song”. We are delighted to have Eddie join us, tell his story and answer any questions you may have about starting up a music tech business.

Behind the scenes at Nissan

Nissan Sunderland

10am – 11.45am
During your tour of Nissan’s award winning Sunderland manufacturing plant you’ll visit Trim and Chassis line 1. This is the main assembly plant, where the painted shells of every Nissan Qashqai or 100% electric Nissan Leaf are fitted out with all their components including interior trim, seats and wheels as well as their powertrain.
In the case of Leaf this will be a unique lithium-ion battery and electric powertrain or for Qashqai it could be Nissan’s unique e-POWER system.
At the end of the line, the completed car enters Nissan’s thorough quality assurance process before starting its journey to our customers within the UK or one of our 130 overseas markets.
Attendees will need to wear flat shoes, not sandals and have their legs covered.

Entrepreneurial leaders

Fire Station Auditorium

11am – 12pm
A panel discussion with entrepreneurial business leaders at the Auditorium, speakers will include Alice Rowen from Rowen Homes, Kim Cattin from West Barn Co, Cassie Moyse from Bradley Hall, and host Natasha McDonough from MMC Research & Marketing.

University of Sunderland’s Centre for Graduate Prospects round table

Hope Street Xchange

12pm – 2pm
The University of Sunderland’s Centre for Graduate Prospects is hosting a round table discussion and lunch to discuss key issues surrounding skills gaps and retaining graduate talent in the region.
The event will include:
  • An introduction from Gareth Trainer, Head of Centre for Graduate Prospects

  • Questions from the floor and open discussion on the issues facing business and sectors in terms of reaching and attracting the best graduate talent

  • Networking session with business leaders and Talent acquisition specialists in the – region and university staff to discuss your experience of attracting and retaining graduate talent in your business as well as how to reach and engage with students

  • Sharing of graduate stories from the region.

Invitations have gone out, but anyone feels they would like to contribute to the discussion please contact laura.hope@sunderland.ac.uk by 5pm on Wednesday 12th October.