Software giant Sage and Northumbria University have been announced as the new sponsors of Digital Union.
Digital Union is the largest network of digital, creative and technology businesses in the North East.
Sage, the market leader in cloud business management solutions, and Northumbria University will play an important role in driving forward the vision of the membership organisation.
The announcement comes as Digital Union membership tops the 200 mark, with more and more businesses flocking to be part of the network, which brings together like-minded businesses to collaborate and share ideas, whilst providing access to vital business support services and lobbying key policymakers on behalf of the region’s digital and tech sectors.
Jim Mawdsley, CEO at business support agency Generator, which runs Digital Union, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome both Sage and Northumbria University as Digital Union sponsors.
“They are both leaders within their fields and bring with them a wealth of insight and experience that will strengthen the support we provide to growing businesses, whilst and adding further gravitas to our collective voice on the national stage.
“Collaboration is key as we attempt to bridge the digital and tech talent and skills gap in the North East and position our thriving creative digital and tech sectors as key players both nationally, and internationally.
“We’re excited by what Northumbria University and Sage will bring to the table and we look forward to working closely with them in the future.”
Within their role as sponsors, Sage and Northumbria University will help shape the agenda for the Digital Union network, whilst playing a part in the wide range of workshops, seminars and networking events hosted by the organisation throughout the year.
Andrew McFetrich, Talent Acquisition Partner at Sage UK, said: “Digital Union helps tech and digital businesses to grow against a Brexit-induced backdrop.
“This important work helps to ensure our region’s digital and tech scenes continue to thrive.
“As a global business that proudly started here more than 35 years ago, it makes perfect sense for Sage to support and help champion this.
“We’re passionate about working with the entrepreneurs in this country. We’re excited to share some of our experiences with the industry.
“This includes what we have learnt over the time since we launched as a start-up in Newcastle, but also some of the experiences from the thousands of businesses we work with throughout the UK.
“This is a two-way process though and we’re hoping we can learn from some of the fantastic innovative businesses we have in the region.”
Lucy Winskell OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Employability and Partnerships) at Northumbria, added: “Our academics are already carrying out world class research in digital design and technology, creating new knowledge which is both a powerful learning opportunity for our students and valuable resource for our business partners.
“We are delighted, therefore, to be part of the Digital Union collaboration – it will help us enhance the employability of our graduates and, more widely, support the region and the UK’s burgeoning creative and digital technology sector.
“Like Sage, we also have a clear focus on entrepreneurial success. As the UK’s top-ranked university for graduate start-up businesses we have supported the development of more than 200 companies in the past 10 years – with many innovative new digital and tech-based enterprises.”