Businesses, organisations and individuals from across County Durham have come together for the first Durham Champions – an exciting new county-wide network made up of people who are passionate about the place and want to see it thrive.

It follows the recent launch of the county’s place brand - ‘The Durham Story’ - spearheaded by Durham County Council, including its Visit County Durham and Business Durham services, and Durham University. The 12-month project saw engagement with hundreds of stakeholders from across the region, to identify a compelling new proposition for the county which will showcase County Durham on a global scale.

The Durham Story is an extraordinary blend of beauty, enterprise, heritage, culture and ambition, found in all four corners of the county. It shines a light on what makes County Durham special, its distinctiveness and character, and the opportunities for the growth and development.

This new approach will see organisations and individuals join forces and unite behind the brand to build the county’s image, identity and reputation, and harness profile-raising opportunities to reach audiences essential for economic success.

The first Durham Champions event took place on Thursday 25 July at Durham Cricket and was attended by over 50 businesses and individuals who want to work together to promote County Durham, and raise its profile as a place to live, work, invest, study and visit. Speaking at the event were Emma Gaudern, CEO, EMG Solicitors, David Jackson, Marketing Director, Durham Cricket, Rhiannon Hiles, CEO, Beamish the Living Museum of the North, Richard Baker, Director Economic Development & Commercialisation Durham University, and Tony Hanson, Corporate Director, Regeneration, Economy and Growth, Durham County Council.

Cllr Lyndsey Fox, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “The purpose of the new place brand for the county is ultimately to help it prosper. We are lucky that County Durham already has many individuals and businesses who are great ambassadors for our wonderful part of the world. We want to build on their fantastic contribution, and we want more of them, so we can create a powerful ‘team Durham’ approach. We have an amazing story to tell, and we all need to play our part in getting that story out there. Collaboration has never been more important, and together, the Durham Champions will demonstrate the confidence we have in our future and play a part in making that happen.”

Emma Gaudern CEO, EMG Solicitors hosted the event and said: “I am proud to be one of the first Durham Champions and part of this powerful new network. The Durham Story is inspiring and reflects the passion and ambition we have in abundance across the county. As an employer I was excited to see the Durham Story unveiled, and what this new approach to promoting the county can achieve through working together. The brand will support businesses and organisations to retain and attract talent, secure investment, and create opportunities by putting the county even more firmly on the map.”

To find out more about The Durham Story, visit Durham-UK.com and sign up to become a Durham Champion.