Beacon of Light Students Attend SunFest During Sunderland Business Week
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Students from the Beacon of Light School had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of business and entrepreneurship at SunFest, the flagship event of Sunderland Business Week, on Thursday 16th October 2025.
The festival-style event, organised by Sunderland Business Partnership, took place at Sheepfolds Stables in Monkwearmouth and offered a full day of inspiring talks, workshops, live music and networking opportunities.
SunFest featured an exciting lineup of high-profile speakers, including Radio 1’s Jamie Laing (co-founder of Candy Kittens), Alex Partridge (founder of LADbible and UNILAD) and Olympic legend Colin Jackson. Attendees heard from successful entrepreneurs who shared their experiences, challenges and tips for building a career in business. Sessions also covered topics such as artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence, digital marketing, business development and Sunderland AFC’s journey to the Premier League.
“SunFest was a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience a major business event and hear first-hand from influential speakers across different industries.”
- Kim Newby, Careers and Post-16 Lead at the Beacon of Light School.
The day allowed students to gain first-hand insight into how businesses operate, ask questions directly to industry leaders and explore the skills needed to thrive in a professional environment. Beyond the talks, students were able to participate in practical workshops, network with business professionals and experience the vibrant festival atmosphere.
“Hearing from people like Alex Partridge about overcoming challenges made the event especially relatable for our students. Experiences like this help them build confidence, develop self-awareness and see that success often comes through perseverance.”
- Kim Newby, Careers and Post-16 Lead at the Beacon of Light School.
Sunderland Business Week, which ran from 13–17 October, featured a series of events and conferences aimed at inspiring and supporting businesses across the region. SunFest served as the week’s highlight, bringing together entrepreneurs, civic leaders and young people to celebrate innovation, creativity and enterprise.
For Beacon of Light students, the event provided an unforgettable opportunity to engage with real-world business, helping to inform their future career paths.
