Sunderland Business Festival 2022 officially launched with a VIP breakfast event at Mackies Corner.

The event – ran in association with Portfolio North – featured a panel of senior business figures from the city and was hosted by former Journal editor Brian Aitken.

Panellists included Ellen Thinnesen OBE, chief executive of Education Partnership North East; Sir David Bell, vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University of Sunderland; Steve Davison, chief operating officer at Sunderland AFC; Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland Business Improvement District; Paul McEldon OBE, Chief Executive at North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC); and David Pattison, Business Investment Manager at Sunderland City Council.he panel discussed the changing physical and business landscape in the city, with topics including skills, start-ups, business confidence, events, sport and retail and leisure.

The festival, which ran from 12 – 14 October, was organised by Sunderland Business Partnership, a collective of organisations – large and small – all with an interest in the city’s development, creating opportunities for members to collaborate and grow, which in turn helps Sunderland to be a more dynamic destination for business.

To learn more about the Sunderland Business Partnership, visit the website sunderlandbusinesspartnership.co.uk or follow @sunderlandBP on Twitter.