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Unearthing new talent

Hundreds of the North East's rising stars will learn about careers and entrepreneurship in the digital media and technology sector at a special event organised by Gateshead Council and Codeworks, the region's centre for digital innovation.

Around 300 students, graduates and young professionals are expected to attend Thinking Digital: The Next Generation, which will take place on 13 March at The Sage Gateshead from 10am until 5pm.

Speakers from both national and local organisations will speak at the event, including: Ian Forrester of the BBC's Backstage project; Mike Southon, an expert on entrepreneurialism who writes for the Financial Times; Andy Buck, a programmer at Gateshead-based Eutechnyx, a driving game developer with a world-class reputation; and Paul Callaghan, chairman of Sunderland-based digital media giant, Leighton Group.

Councillor John McElroy, Gateshead's Cabinet spokesman for Economic Development, said: "Gateshead Council is working hard to create the right conditions for economic success, and one of the ways we can do this is by attracting and retaining talent within the region. Having a pool of skilled people here offers digital and high-tech companies from outside the area a multitude of reasons to set up here and this event is an important part of that strategy.

"Gateshead is also an obvious choice to host such events because of the number of successful and growing digital and media businesses already located here."

The event has been named after Thinking Digital, the annual conference run by Codeworks in the North East, which attracts a line-up of stars from the worlds of digital technology, media, culture and more to talk about an eclectic mix of tech-based topics.

Herb Kim, CEO of Codeworks, adds: "We were delighted that Gateshead Council asked us to help organise this event. Whilst the North East is home to an already thriving digital sector, I can't stress enough how important it is to engage with younger generations and show them what opportunities are available to them in digital, and in this region.

"Digital is only going to become more and more important to the world economy, so it's vital that we have the talented people available to ensure that our digital media and technology sector is up there with the very best."

Anyone wishing to find out more about the event should go to http://thenextgen.co.uk

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