☕️ Open to all, grab a drink, networking, hear from an inspirational speaker, expand your network.

Get “kraken” and join us for a unique business networking event that will enable you to elevate your business to the next level!

With 100% satisfaction from our attendee's, you can expect a relaxed and informal structure - if you're new to networking, then we are a great place to start.

During our event, you'll have the chance to hear from successful entrepreneurs, business owners and industry leaders, who will provide you with invaluable advice and strategies for growing your business.

You'll also have plenty of opportunities to network with other attendee's; exchange ideas, and forge valuable connections that can help you achieve your goals.

As a non-profit our mission is to support the North East community - 94% of those who attended said they found valuable business contacts and 97% for high-quality speakers.

Each event is in a different location, making it more accessible to you, but also ensures a diverse mix of people coming along - that includes you!

• kraken-networking.uk •

Venue

We're excited to be one of the first events held at the new Culture House Sunderland.

Culture House Sunderland is a £27 million, four-story modern cultural hub and 21st-century library at Keel Square that is scheduled to open on Saturday, September 12, 2026. It functions as a dynamic public living room combining art, cutting-edge technology, and community learning.

Their spaces include a digital atrium and exhibition areas. Dedicated free family zone with "The Den" children's play space, a teen library with gaming and VR, an immersive 360-degree gallery, and media/podcast studios. Adult library collections, quiet study zones, meeting rooms, and university gallery spaces. Houses local history archives ("The Record"), an inventor's lab for making and repairing, and a rooftop Sky Garden.

And a partridge in a pear tree! We will be in The Exchange space, overlooking Keel Square, with quality refreshments provided by Black's Corner.

Agenda

10:00am - Arrival and Networking

11:00am - Speaker and Questions

11:30am - More opportunity for networking and 1-2-1's

12:00pm - Finish.

We are super proud to announce that this event series is fully supported by the National Lottery Community Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we are able to subsidise this event.

Your nominal ticket fee goes directly towards covering the event facilitation, ensuring our events remain open and accessible to as many people in our community.

We also offer 5 completely free spaces per event strictly for registered charities, CICs, and non-profit organisations. Please select the "Charity/Non-Profit" ticket option at checkout.

Paul Hampton is the Director and a Mortgage and Protection Adviser at Sunderland-based Approved Mortgage Solutions Limited. With over 30 years of experience in financial management, Paul has spent the last 26 years specialising entirely in the mortgage and income protection sectors.

Since launching his firm in late 2007, he has been dedicated to helping people achieve their property dreams by ensuring they have the best financial solutions available.

Paul brings a wealth of hands-on industry knowledge to the panel, thriving on the nuances of assisting first-time buyers, managing Buy-to-Let (BTL) portfolios, and navigating challenging cases. He prides himself on his ability to demystify the lending process, taking complex financial concepts and making them simple and understandable for his clients.

approvedmortgagesolutions.co.uk

Host

Caroline Hagan is a Digital Consultant with over 25 years of experience in the digital sector and specialises in the intersection of MarTech, Digital strategy, and AI, delivering expert-led workshops, webinars, and high-level business consultancy.

By combining her deep technical knowledge with a passion for community leadership, she ensures that local business owners are equipped with the tools and connections necessary to thrive in an evolving digital landscape.

LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook

About Get Kraken CIC

Our event is dedicated to promoting and supporting local small businesses, and we believe in the power of community!

Get Kraken CIC aims to reduce the digital divide in the region, by delivering digital skills in the form of webinars, workshops and 1-2-1 support. We are a local Databank, providing free access to the Internet for those in income-deprived areas.

We love to support local business and reduce the loneliness that often can be a part of working for yourself or as a startup.

Learn more about our non-profit on the Get Kraken CIC website.

Description supplied by the event organiser.