Hartlepool United Football Club

Businesses across Hartlepool and the surrounding area have got behind a new networking drive that is encouraging everyone to work together.

Hartlepool United, Hartlepool College of Further Education and Great Annual Savings have teamed up to encourage greater collaboration.

The first in a series of networking events was held at the football club’s Suit Direct Stadium where more than 50 businesses were in attendance and drinks were sponsored by Cornerstone Business Solutions.

Hartlepool College’s assistant principal Gary Riches, Pools’ head of commercial and operations Rose Stoker and Great Annual Savings’ business development manager Mark Boyce all spoke to guests.

Gary said: “I was pleasantly surprised with the really strong turn-out considering it was the first we have done together. We are pleased with the amount of businesses who engaged.

“It was an opportunity for me to tell those in attendance about the transformational partnership the College has with Hartlepool United.

“And how this partnership – which is working well in a number of other ways too - is about two anchor institutions in Hartlepool having accumulated almost 300 years of working alongside each other now working together. 

“We are situated less than a mile from one another and it makes perfect sense to work in collaboration for the benefit of the town and the surrounding areas.”

Organisers are determined to make sure there are more networking events on a regular basis.

Rose said: “We want this to be the first of many. There is more to come with monthly meetings, referring local businesses to one another – and of course an opportunity to join us at Hartlepool United on a match-day too.

“We want to encourage local businesses to work together and what better way than to work with two of the town’s most long-standing organisations, like Hartlepool United and Hartlepool College of Further Education.”

Cost reduction specialists Great Annual Savings, who have a hub based at the College, are a driving force behind the networking event.

And Mark said: “I hope everyone enjoyed the first networking event and that everyone managed to find some useful introductions for new business or general contacts to help them.

“We are now looking to arrange the second event and will contact everyone again soon.  We would also like everyone who attended to invite a business customer or supplier so the event can grow and become more fruitful for everyone.  Keep an eye out on Eventbrite for the next one.”