Sarah Thackray

I have been involved in Dynamo since its inception and creation of the membership and events programme. Working with the original founders, I could see the obvious need and demand for an independent, not for profit organisation to exist to help the tech sector collaborate and grow. I love a challenge, so I was in! I really enjoy being part of steering small organisations and Dynamo’s mission to connect people and businesses to help grow the north east tech sector is certainly very rewarding.

I run a national events agency BeaconHouse Events, based in Newcastle. We deliver events nationally for a range of corporate, public sector, academic and small business clients. I am a huge advocate of sustainable practices in the events sector and am championing and driving sustainable change in our sector.

• Steering our company through the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic was challenging but rewarding. My business partner and I led the business carefully through a very bumpy and uncertain time, especially for the events sector, working with our amazing team of event managers to develop new virtual, online event services, innovating, and leading from the front, rather than hiding away until it all went away… Though our turnover took a significant hit, our profits remained stable, and we retained our talented team too.
• Leading the development of BeaconHouse Events’ ESG strategy and driving its roll out with the team. As part of that work I was recognised nationally, and named as a one of the UK’s Power 50 green champions by industry experts Isla and Micebook in 2023, acknowledging my work to drive sustainable change for the events industry.
• Becoming Chair of charity Groundwork North East and Cumbria’s trading company in 2023, helping to drive surpluses to go back into the regional societal and environmental charity.

I rely on our amazing member network news, our Advisory board, Dynamo and Sunderland Software City teams, and fellow directors to inform me – as well as Jamie Hardesty’s insightful tech digests!

I love being outdoors – walking, watching my kids’ sports matches, and I volunteer as a director for my local junior park run which all keep me in the great outdoors. I play netball, I have just joined an amateur choir, and I enjoy exploring new places and cultures with friends and family.

If you’re working in or with the tech sector in our region, Dynamo’s network really is a great place to connect and collaborate with others in the sector. There have been countless examples of successful and fruitful partnerships and collaborations developed through introductions from the network. You will be better connected and informed if you’re part of Dynamo.