Sunderland Business Partnership proudly sits at the forefront of the rebirth of Sunderland, a united force for change, championing and challenging our public sector partners to think big.
We bring together a range of partners – large and small – all with an interest in Sunderland’s development, creating opportunities for them to collaborate and grow, which in turn helps our brilliant city to be a more dynamic destination for business.
The North East BIC is a leading provider of flexible workspaces and a driving force behind enterprise support across the North East. Since 1994, it has helped thousands of businesses to start, grow, and thrive – contributing over £2.5 billion to the regional economy through workspace provision, tailored business support, and community focused initiatives.
Home to more than 300 businesses, the BIC plays a vital role in fostering entrepreneurship and building a vibrant, resilient business community. It operates four business centres across Sunderland and Darlington, offering a diverse range of spaces – including offices, coworking, labs, industrial units, and meeting rooms – designed to meet the needs of start-ups, scale-ups, and established enterprises.
Its mission as a social enterprise goes beyond workspace management. It is committed to spreading entrepreneurial ambition and creating opportunities for all. Through strong partnerships with local authorities and regional organisations, it delivers vital business support programmes that help drive inclusive economic growth.
NatWest Accelerator is a thriving community for entrepreneurs providing a range of support for you to grow your business.
Underpinned by the NatWest Accelerator app, it’ll empower you to grow your business whenever you need it, virtually or at one of our 12 physical hubs across the UK.
Because every business is different, you’ll find the support you need for yours.
Ward Hadaway LLP are an independent, full-service law firm providing exceptional legal expertise to businesses, public and third sectors, and individuals.
From its offices in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Teesside, it combines regional strength with national influence to deliver high-quality, tailored solutions that drive success for its clients.
Its purpose is simple: to provide quality, commercial legal advice in a timely and cost effective manner, supporting its clients in achieving their objectives strategically and profitably.
Ward Hadaway understands that its clients operate in fast-paced, competitive environments, and is committed to delivering advice that not only meets their immediate needs but also anticipates their future challenges and opportunities.
Sunderland College is one of the largest providers of post-16 further and higher education in the North East, offering a wide range of qualifications including A-Levels, T Levels, apprenticeships, courses for adults and degrees.
As changemakers, its purpose is to unlock potential, create opportunities and transform lives through outstanding education, skills, and training. By removing barriers and reducing inequalities, it enables all to develop and excel.
In 2024 Ofsted rated us outstanding in every area, including Quality of Education, Personal Development, SEND, Leadership and Management, and Apprenticeships. It is part of Education Partnership North East, the top performing college group in the region, and among the top colleges nationally for academic and technical student achievement.
Gentoo is Sunderland’s main social housing landlord, providing homes for 60,000 people across the city. They are a values-led organisation, with a clear vision and social purpose.
At Gentoo, they believe everyone has the right to live in a good quality home. They invest millions of pounds every year to keep their existing homes safe and to a decent standard and they also play their part in helping meet the demand for affordable housing in Sunderland by building new, modern homes for rent.
They also support their customers and the communities in which they live by working with their partners across a range of issues and projects.
Switch Savvi is an innovative platform developed right here in Sunderland by Procure Smart, which enables businesses to compare and switch gas and electricity contracts completely online.
Its customers were telling it they wanted low prices, fast and without the usual series of phone calls. It heard them. No phone calls, no faff. It’s as easy as switching your home energy, but with the same rigorous compliance and quality checks it applies to its in-person service.
Switch Savvi is your business’s answer to fast, effective energy contract switching. Switch today at switchsavvi.procuresmart.com
Prefer to have a chat? Contact us! https://procuresmart.com/switch-now/
Built in 1884 by William Bell for the North Eastern Railway, the stables were carefully designed for the welfare of more than 100 horses, with details like specialised brickwork, thoughtful drainage, and sturdy cobbled floors that highlight Sunderland’s reliance on animal-powered industry.
The stables survived events such as WWII bombing and the sweeping urban changes of the 1960s, remaining central to local life.
Today, Sheepfolds Stables is a lively destination for food, drink, and events. Here, you can even sample “Pit Pony” lager, created to honour the horses and the city’s mining heritage.
Sunderland’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) is a collaborative effort driven by businesses, united under a single vision: to create a vibrant city with opportunities for everyone.
Since our inception in 2014, we have injected over £6 million into enhancing the city centre. Through the backing of our levy payers, business stakeholders, and essential partners, we have formulated a pragmatic and attainable blueprint for the future, expanded to include Sheepfolds and launched the Seafront BID.
Richard Reed Solicitors is a law firm based in Sunderland, proudly serving individuals and businesses for over 76 years. Since its founding, it has built a strong reputation for delivering expert legal services with professionalism, integrity, and a personal touch.
With decades of experience, it offers a comprehensive range of legal services, including conveyancing, wills and probate, family law, employment law, commercial matters, landlord and tenant and dispute resolution.
Sunderland AFC is rightfully mentioned amongst world football’s oldest and successful names.
Founded in 1879, the club has a proud history and heritage which underpins its role in the regional, national and international footballing community.
The club have been crowned champions of England’s top division on six occasions and won two FA Cups, and the famous faces and events of the past are still held in the highest regard today.
The club’s superb home is the Stadium of Light, which opened in 1997 and had a capacity of 49,000.
Nevil Tynemouth is a successful author, international speaker, executive coach, and founder of New Results, the professional development company focussed on supporting you and your teams’ development journey. During his 30 year career, he’s worked with global brands and professionals, helping them achieve their own “new results”.
In his corporate career, Nevil was involved in launching two of the UK’s most familiar brands in BlackBerry and Dyson. His blend of real world examples and well researched tools help professionals achieve their goals.
Nevil is recognised as an excellent speaker and facilitator, bringing new ideas, methods and approaches to life for those he works with.
Cllr Stephen Lewis Elms is a Hall of Fame performer, 13-time National Entertainment Award winner, former elite athlete, and the first black or mixed race councillor in Sunderland City’s history, as well as the world’s first published rapper elected to office.
From performing on national TV to selling out the O2 Academy, from battling depression to teaching students how to overcome it, from having no voice to leading a city through the riots, Stephen’s journey forged The E.L.M.S. Method – Express. Listen. Message. Switch.
This unique framework, born from lived experience across sport, music, and politics, has helped him turn silence into influence, and now he shares it to help others do the same.
Bringing strategic-thinking, creativity and an absolute focus on top-class delivery, Creo is a creative marketing agency that inspires, excites and engages the audiences of its clients across the UK.
Creo brings together expert content creators, strategists, designers, developers and copywriters in a creative collective capable of delivering exceptional work, giving its clients a real competitive edge.