A business network that helps organisations improve performance, develop programmes, attract skilled young people and gain funding for training is officially launched tomorrow by City of Bristol College. 
Partners in Business will build on the college’s impressive track record of working with local employers of all and will be headed by director Will Cookson, previously commercial manager for skills at Working Links and economic development manager at Learning & Skills Council.
It offers organisations access to:
- A major resource of skilled, motivated and work-ready students and adult learners
- Highly-customised and flexible courses and developed programmes
- One of the largest pools of apprentices in England
- A business network consisting of household names, small and medium-sized firms and public sector organisations
- Free resources to support recruitment requirements and funding bids.
Network members will be able to make use of the college’s business facilities, including meeting and conference rooms, as well as an opportunity to be part of a 3,000 strong network of business partners.
Will Cookson said: “This new business network offers the college the chance to get to know local businesses and find out the skills they need within their organisation.
“I am also very excited at the prospect of working with our high-profile business board, which will help shape our programmes and services in the future so that they are fit for business.”
The Partners in Business board includes:
Peter Chivers, chief executive of the National Composites Centre,
Mark Crutchley, chief executive of Circadian Trust, which runs the Active Leisure Centres in Bristol and South Gloucestershire
Jane Hadfield, assistant director HR & development at North Bristol NHS Trust,
Simon Holdsworth, managing partner at law firm Thrings,
Dr John Lanham, associate dean, Faculty of Environment & Technology, UWE,
Richard Lowe, managing director, HR & Training Solutions,
Ruth Moody, managing director at Farscape,
Lindsey Newman, director at Purple House,
Hugh Stewart, group HR manager at Hydrock,
Rebecca Tregarthen, chair of the IOD South West
Neil Young, managing director at DPS Global
Partners in Business will be officially launched to the business community at the college’s City Restaurant on Anchor Road tomorrow.
City of Bristol College is one of the largest further and higher education colleges in the UK.
