Roy Sandbach

The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) is a public-private partnership with the sole purpose of increasing the value, intensity and diversity of university-business collaboration. In short it is focused on building stronger connections between universities and business with a three pronged agenda. 1) To ensure that universities deliver the skills that businesses require against a fast-changing technological and market landscape. 2) To ensure that businesses large and small can both leverage and support the research and innovation capabilities of Britain’s universities across the UK. 3) A specific focus on how collaboration and partnership can support the needs of different places. We address these aims through a programme of activities, analysis and collaborations that aim to help business and universities optimise the development of talent and maximise the impact of science and innovation investments across the UK. Our membership draws together over 75 UK universities and some 50 corporate businesses spanning a unique mix of different sectors and technologies. This membership base is committed to the benefits and value derived from university-business collaboration and is supported by a Council of senior representatives from each member to champion and push boundaries in collaborations. Our network extends and includes our partners in Government where we have strategic relationships and funding support through UK Research and Innovation and Research England as well as the Devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As well as convening organisational leaders from across our network, there are also fantastic opportunities for more junior personnel to interact, expand their networks and develop closer cross-sector working relationships. For more information email info@ncub.co.uk.

The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) is a public-private partnership with the sole purpose of increasing the value, intensity and diversity of university-business collaboration. In short it is focused on building stronger connections between universities and business with a three pronged agenda. 1) To ensure that universities deliver the skills that businesses require against a fast-changing technological and market landscape. 2) To ensure that businesses large and small can both leverage and support the research and innovation capabilities of Britain’s universities across the UK. 3) A specific focus on how collaboration and partnership can support the needs of different places. We address these aims through a programme of activities, analysis and collaborations that aim to help business and universities optimise the development of talent and maximise the impact of science and innovation investments across the UK. Our membership draws together over 75 UK universities and some 50 corporate businesses spanning a unique mix of different sectors and technologies. This membership base is committed to the benefits and value derived from university-business collaboration and is supported by a Council of senior representatives from each member to champion and push boundaries in collaborations. Our network extends and includes our partners in Government where we have strategic relationships and funding support through UK Research and Innovation and Research England as well as the Devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As well as convening organisational leaders from across our network, there are also fantastic opportunities for more junior personnel to interact, expand their networks and develop closer cross-sector working relationships. For more information email info@ncub.co.uk.

We work to make the North East a place where more businesses invest, grow and prosper - delivering more and better jobs for everyone. We are responsible for delivering the North East Strategic Economic Plan. The Plan details how we will work together with partners, businesses and communities in an innovative, pro-active and cohesive way, to implement the Plan’s ambitions. It focuses on six key areas: innovation, skills, business support and access to finance, employability and inclusion and transport and digital connectivity. We act as a champion for the area, bringing public and private investment into the area. This includes a £290m North East Growth Deal and £460m allocation of European Structural and Investment Funds. We work with partners to create the right environment for growth, through our North East Investment Fund, Enterprise Zone and investment in transport. The North East Local Enterprise Partnership covers County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland. It is business led and governed by a private and public sector board, chaired by former PwC senior partner Paul Woolston.

Pimp my Cause is a web based platform bringing good causes in need of professional marketing support together with professional experts able to contribute this expertise pro bono. Think of it as an online dating agency and collaborative think tank for great causes to meet talented professionals to help support them. Whether you are a marketing professional looking to donate your expertise to a good cause, apply your skills in a new sector, learn from your peers, enjoy a new challenge or enhance the reputation of your business, Pimp my Cause puts highly rewarding challenges within a click of your mouse button. And if you run a social enterprise, charity, NGO or citizen organization of any kind looking to address a social or environmental need, then you will find individuals or teams of professional marketers, including innovators, strategists, communications specialists, graphic designers or even web developers who will help you build the future you envision.