Networking in the North East

Posted by admin

May 29, 2009

April and May have provided many opportunities for business networking, and the chance to meet entrepreneurs from the social enterprise and co-operative sectors.

I attended the Scottish Social Enterprise Trade Fair in April, where there were many exhibitors, from CIC to Triodos, Charity Bank and the Social Audit Network. Throughout the day there were many presentations and the chance to share ideas with like-minded organisations.

The Co-operatives North East event took place in April and I was involved as one of the speakers, explaining Shared Interest’s role in fair trade. The intention of the afternoon was to demonstrate the diversity of the co-operative businesses in the North East economy, so I was delighted to be on hand to deliver the success story of how our organisation has touched the lives of thousands of people in the developing world.

Two business networking events taking place in the region this month; I attended the Durham Business Club together with Patrick Dodd our Marketing Manager and Network North’s lunchtime event in Newcastle upon Tyne. I had the opportunity to chat with a variety of companies who already had Corporate Responsibility Statements in place and I hope to increase the number of corporate accounts over the coming months.

Thank you to Elsa Fairbanks, member and Ambassador, for inviting me to a ‘Learning Lunch’ at Yorkshire Forward in Leeds. Over thirty attendees came along to the Shared Interest presentation and joined in a discussion about fair trade. Many valuable contacts were made in the region.

If you think your workplace or community group would benefit from a ‘Learning Lunch’ about fair trade and Shared Interest please get in touch either with myself if you’re based in the North, or Sarah.