Tech company launches new Sunderland hub at The Beam

A national tech company has launched a new TechHub in Sunderland, opening up opportunities for businesses and residents.

In partnership with Sunderland City Council and Microsoft, Phoenix Software has opened a state-of-the-art space at The Beam at Riverside Sunderland.

The facility will offer a series of tech-related sessions to businesses, the voluntary sector and local schools, which aim to create opportunities for residents of all ages, and support businesses to thrive in today's digital world.

Phoenix Software is an end-to-end IT solution and managed service provider employing over 420 people, with offices in Pocklington, Yorkshire, and MediaCity, Salford.

Becky Wilson, Head of Microsoft Licensing & Strategic Development at Phoenix, said: "We have a long-standing relationship with Sunderland City Council and when this opportunity came up to take space at The Beam it seemed the perfect fit.

"As a business, we're on a very clear growth strategy where we're looking at investing in different regions.

"But we also want to invest in communities and make a difference across the UK as much as we can, and we see this as an ideal place to expand our presence in the North East."

The Sunderland office will be used as a workspace for the company's staff when in the North East, as well as a hub for its outreach work.

"A key thing for us is making an impact in regions and looking at the work we can do to enable and educate people," said Jennifer Clewley, ESG Lead at Phoenix.

"We have a community outreach programme which covers education, employability, digital skills and supporting SMEs and community groups.

"Our aim is to pass on our expertise in digital skills and technology to people in the North East. Whether that be residents, schools or working with vulnerable people, such as through Sunderland City Council's digital hubs."

Based at locations across the city, Sunderland Community Digital Health Hubs aim to tackle digital exclusion by targeting key challenges such as, limited connectivity, lack of access to digital devices, computer skills, the cost of going online and accessibility.

Riverside Sunderland is one of the UK's most ambitious urban regeneration projects. As well as The Beam, City Hall and The Yard, the development will also include Maker and Faber, two highly sustainable offices; a state-of-the-art Eye Hospital; Culture House, a multi-purpose cultural venue; the National Esports Performance Campus; and the cutting-edge Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA), as well as new homes for up to 2,500 residents.

The ambitious project will double the residential population in the city centre and increase employment by 50 per cent, backed by £100m of investment from Legal & General and £20m from the government's Levelling Up Fund.

Peter McIntyre, executive director of city development at Sunderland City Council, said: "I'm delighted that Phoenix have decided to open a TechHub here in Sunderland.

"They are a company that places a lot of emphasis on social responsibility and I'm sure that our residents and businesses will also benefit from their impressive outreach programme.

"The fact that companies such as Phoenix are choosing Sunderland as a location to achieve growth from shows the impact of the transformation we're driving."

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