Highlights from the first Durham Champions meeting in July 2025, introducing a collaborative Team Durham approach, inspiring partnerships, shared goals, and future-focused county-wide progress
Durham Story and Durham Cricket
With a shared ambition and determination to succeed, hear why the Durham Story and Durham Cricket partnership is so important for regional growth and pride.
Jim Cokill – Our natural lifestyle
Hear from Jim Cockill, director of Durham Wildlife Trust, on how the county’s incredible land and seascapes, nature and wildlife, have a positive impact on those that visit, live and work here.
Durham University rises to 85th in prestigious QS World University Rankings 2027
Durham University has been ranked 85th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up nine places from last year.
The QS World University Rankings are widely acknowledged as the most influential university rankings globally. The 2027 rankings, assessed 8,808 institutions, saw Durham enhance its position in the employer reputation, academic reputation, and citations per faculty categories of assessment.
Durham performed particularly strongly for reputation with employers, ranking 49th – up 15 places. Its reputation for academic excellence was also acknowledged, rising three places, as was its position among the world’s leading universities for sustainability – being placed joint 24th.
Durham is The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year, and ranks in the UK’s top five universities. In the Complete University Guide, announced earlier this month, 31 of 32 subjects at Durham were ranked in the top ten in the UK.
Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden at Durham University, said: “To rise nine places to 85th in the QS World University Rankings is a tremendous achievement, in an outstanding year for Durham University.
“That employers rank us among the world’s top 50 universities is particularly important for our students and graduates, indicating the exceptional value that a Durham degree holds in equipping students for work and preparing them for career success.”
As well as an outstanding education, Durham provides students with exceptional opportunities to enhance their employability through developing their leadership skills and starting new businesses. Its Hazan Venture Lab helps Durham students develop their entrepreneurial skills and incubate new ventures.
Durham’s top category in the QS World University Rankings 2027 is Sustainability (joint 24th), through which the social and environmental impact of universities as centres of education and research is assessed.
Durham research is helping society understand and address the pressing challenge of climate change, from ice sheet melting to harnessing geothermal energy; from decarbonising shipping to unlocking the potential of hydrogen.
North East Space Conference highlights region’s growing investment opportunity
The North East Space Conference 2026 demonstrated the growing strength and ambition of the region’s space sector, bringing together more than 350 delegates from industry, academia, government and the investment community to explore future opportunities for growth, collaboration and inward investment.
Opened by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, the conference highlighted the increasing role the sector is playing in driving innovation, attracting investment and creating high-value jobs across the region.
Hosted by Space North East England at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham, the conference focused on a clear ambition: converting the North East’s growing reputation for innovation into increased national and international investment.
While the region’s space sector has developed steadily over the past decade, this year’s event reflected growing confidence that the North East is now positioned to play a much larger role in the UK’s space economy.
County named best destination for the second year in a row
It was an incredible night for the county, as it was named Best UK Destination for the second year in a row at the prestigious Group Leisure and Travel Awards, which took place in London on 12 June. Following last year’s win, County Durham retained its title against stiff competition including London, Edinburgh, and Belfast, proving that the destination’s group travel offer rivals that of UK capital cities.
The Group Leisure & Travel Awards are among the UK’s most established honours in the group travel sector. They celebrate excellence across attractions, tour operators, museums, venues, live experiences and destinations, based on votes from readers of Group Leisure & Travel magazine.
Also shortlisted on the night were Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, and Beamish Museum, demonstrating even further why the county is such a great destination for groups.
Visit County Durham has supported the group travel market for many years, through business support, product development, and promotion. Investment has been made in coach parking and facilities by Durham County Council and private-sector businesses, resulting in the county holding the most Coach Friendly Accreditations. And through our Discover Durham groups and travel trade consortium, we work in partnership with tourism businesses to raise the collective profile and appeal of the county, with results like this demonstrating success.
Michelle Gorman, managing director at Visit County Durham, said: “County Durham has always had an excellent group travel offer, from our world-class attractions, experiences and events, to fantastic landscapes and food and drink. Significant recent investment, including The Rising at Raby Castle, Remaking Beamish, New Hall at Locomotion, and accommodation refurbishments across the county, have strengthen our offer even further. And with two exciting new attractions set to open this summer, Kynren – The Storied Lands and The Light, we are certain that our share of this valuable market will continue to grow, supporting businesses, and providing opportunities for our residents. But this isn’t a Visit County Durham win, it’s a win for County Durham’s entire visitor economy and its passion, creativity and resilience.”
Rob Yandell, publisher of Group Leisure and Travel, added: “Our warmest congratulations go to all of this year’s winners and finalists, and to everyone across the travel trade whose dedication continues to create exceptional experiences and outstanding service for groups. The continued support of our Awards Partners, along with the enthusiasm and engagement of our readers, has once again played a vital role in the success of these awards.
“Bringing together more than 300 guests to celebrate achievements and connect with colleagues has been a true pleasure, and we hope everyone enjoyed another memorable occasion.”
Image caption left to right:
Award presented by Mandy Hill, Dunwood Travel; Wendy Wilshere, Head of Volunteer Casting & Engagement, Kynren; Samantha Shotton, Chief Operating Officer, Beamish Museum; Brenda Alexander, Bookings Coordinator, Beamish Museum; Alex MacKenzie, Travel Trade Manager, Experience North East England; Sarah Johnson, Senior Manager, Visit County Durham; Michelle Gorman, Managing Director, Visit County Durham; Event host – Luke Kempner.
