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Business

SmartDriving heads straight for Fusion Hive

20 July 2015

 

A leading provider of driving instructor training is moving from the West Midlands to the Tees Valley to take advantage of a cutting-edge innovation centre.

SmartDriving is relocating its head office from Coventry to Fusion Hive at Stockton’s Northshore, a purpose-built environment for innovative companies in the creative and digital sectors. This will see jobs created in the area.

The company, in business for over 35 years, has seen rapid growth in its digital operation, leading it to move to Fusion Hive.

SmartDriving provides novel driver instructor training using the latest digital techniques, both online and through mobile devices.

Its technology-based approach, combined with traditional instruction methods, means the company has a 100% success rate in its instructor training programmes.

SmartDriving has also revolutionised conventional driving tuition with the launch of several apps to help people complete their driving tests. This has enabled learners to continue their training at home and on the move and not be restricted by the availability of their instructor

With new apps including Theory Test, Hazard Perception, Highway Code, Road Signage and shortly a 3D driving app, Smart Driving is leading the way in driver learning technology.

SmartDriving now operates with over 60 driving tutors and an operational and commercial team, which includes three directors.

Managed and operated by Teesside University, Fusion Hive’s purpose-built, flexible workspace offers the ideal environment for business collaboration . It also gives members access to the University’s significant business networks, expertise and training provision, and the help it provides in sourcing potential funding.

Adam Bragg, Marketing Director of SmartDriving, said: 'With any established business you need to innovate to grow and move to the next level.

'That is what we at SmartDriving are doing with our increased innovation and diversification into the digital market. This has allowed us to not only increase the quality of our service, but also to continue on a very cost-effective basis.

'We can’t wait to move into the state-of-the-art Fusion hive, this will give us the prime opportunity for business growth as this will be an environment that will encourage innovation and will drive potential opportunities for our digital offer, which will only help those learning to drive and the instructors that use our products.'

Laura Woods, Director of The Forge, Teesside University’s new business hub, said: 'SmartDriving are an extremely innovative company, using the latest digital technology to turn a traditional industry on its head.

'We’re delighted to welcome them to Stockton’s Northshore, and we’re sure that the collaborative nature of Fusion Hive will help their business to grow even further.'

Fusion Hive is part funded by The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The ERDF’s Competitiveness Programme 2007-13 is bringing over £300m into North East England to support innovation, enterprise and business support. It will help create and safeguard 28,000 new jobs, start 3,000 new businesses and increase the productivity by £1.1bn per annum.

Fusion Hive is transforming the way enterprises operate in the region. More than just an office space, Fusion Hive brings together like-minded tenant organisations and gives them the opportunity to network, share knowledge and capitalise on opportunities for growth.


Click here for more information about Fusion Hive.
 
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