News

North East graduate businesses on show

(10 October 2005)

Durham Business School has launched a unique publication profiling leading young entrepreneurs in the region.

Entitled ‘Gleaming Bright Businesses,’ it showcases new business start-ups generated by graduates from the Business School’s innovative GLEAM programme.

It stands for Graduates Learning of Entrepreneurship Accelerated through Mentoring and since it began in 1997 the programme has generated 114 graduate businesses in the region and created 159 jobs.

Held at Durham Castle, the launch of the publication coincided with the rollout of the new GLEAMing Bright Businesses programme. This is designed to get university graduates and GLEAM business owner-managers working together.

The new three-month programme provides a one-day ‘Insight into Entrepreneurship’ workshop looking at the role of mentorship in new venture creation. Graduates get access to start-up business support and one day a month on placement with a practicing GLEAM entrepreneur.

Wendy Parvin, project manager, said: “GLEAMing Bright Businesses is designed to fast track North East graduates into business start up.

“Not only does it help the individuals but it also provides a direct benefit to the region in terms of economic development and job creation.

“It will draw on the expertise and talent within the GLEAM enterprise community to support aspiring students and graduates who want to experience the world of business and start their own enterprise in the North East.”

GLEAM graduate Gill Chapple, owner-manager of award winning Bedsearcher.com, has volunteered to be a mentor on the programme. She explains: ““It really taught me the fundamentals of business and I decided to be a mentor because I wanted to give something back to the programme and help the entrepreneur network in the region to grow.

“GLEAM put me in touch with people who have turned their own business ideas into thriving local enterprises and I would like to encourage more graduates to do the same.”

Graduate businesses at the event included Newcastle-based Beat Suite, a specialist music and sound design company, Bedsearcher.com, an international online hotel, guesthouse and B&B booking service based in Darlington and Mobilx Ltd, specialists in the refurbishment and supply of used mobile phones to Third World countries.

Keith Herrmann, Durham Business School’s director of programmes: Small Enterprise Development, said: “Enterprise and entrepreneurship is high on the agenda of both the regional development agency and national government.

“The launch event was a celebration of the success of graduate entrepreneurs in the region and the impact that the range of entrepreneurship programmes enterprise education at the Business School has had on the regional economy.”

Guests included key decision makers and senior executives from across the region, including One NorthEast, Government Office North East and key enterprise support agencies, from Business Link to the Princes Trust.

If you would like to find out more about GLEAM and other small enterprise development activities at Durham Business School contact: Keith Herrmann, director of programmes: Small Enterprise Development, tel: 0191 334 5728.