Winner: MURTEK
Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards
COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by
THE FINALISTS
Murtek managing director Stuart Murray was presented with the Company of the Year award by Caraline Robinson of category sponsor Husqvarna UK.
Winner: MURTEK
Keeping businesses connected in uncertain times netted Murtek the coveted Company of the Year title at the Make Your Mark Awards.
Last year, the IT specialists won the Small Business title. This year, it was the big one for a firm whose core values of“ honesty, integrity and approachability” have remained unshakeable since MD Stuart Murray set it up in 2007.
To clinch the trophy, Murtek saw off keen opposition from SCH Site Services and Digital Edge.
And after receiving the glass trophy from Caraline Robinson, manufacturing director of category sponsor Husqvarna UK, Stuart said a commitment to great service remains at the heart of Murtek’ s mission.
He said:“ Murtek started in 2007 specifically to look after IT for small businesses. Over the years, it’ s developed into managing risk and cyber threats – making sure people are as secure as they can be.
“ Things have changed massively. Now so much of it is about protecting someone’ s identity and making sure they’ re secure as a person, especially with the growth of AI. It’ s not just somebody who’ s doing it, it’ s whole systems that are built to do it automatically.
“ Things change quickly in IT and it’ s caused a few sleepless nights – it’ s a non-stop thing.
“ But we never wanted to take over the world. We just wanted to give a good service at a fair price and do a good job for people – that’ s all we’ ve ever wanted to do.”
Reflecting on Murtek’ s recent growth to a 12-strong team, Stuart said:“ We’ re 19 years old but for 15 years, we were happy being quite small until fairly recently, when we decided to grow.
“ But the thing we’ ve always had was belief – and a lot of our customers have been with us a long time, so there’ s real trust involved.”
Looking back on his own journey, Stuart recalled starting as a 17-year-old apprentice at Ebac – whose founder, John Elliott MBE, received the Lifetime Achievement award moments before Murtek was crowned.
Stuart said:“ Nineteen years ago, a guy said to me‘ chase success, not money’ – that guy was John Elliott.
“ It’ s thanks to Ebac that I started Murtek. But it’ s never been about the money – it’ s always been about what we could do for people and the park. That’ s us, Murtek.”
Stuart added:“ We love the park. The more we get to know people, the more we love it – everybody is so warm.
“ I’ m over the moon – really happy. We honestly didn’ t expect to win it because the companies we were in there with are fantastic.”
SCH SITE SERVICES Aycliffe-based steel fabrication business SCH Site Services has showcased exceptional growth and community impact, expanding its turnover from £ 275,000 to £ 8m in just eight years.
Employing more than 45 staff, it has delivered critical regional infrastructure, including the RVI Urgent Treatment Centre and the Grade II-listed Redcar Central Station redevelopment and George Stephenson’ s historic workshop preservation.
Balancing technical excellence with social responsibility, SCH champions mental health, promotes diversity and invests heavily in workforce development and renewable energy – driving regional economic growth while maintaining strong family values and community dedication.
DIGITAL EDGE Digital Edge is a remarkable Newton Aycliffe success story with a global footprint.
Founded in 2016, it has evolved into a Wix Legend and Enterprise Fulfilment Partner, delivering high-end digital systems for international clients.
In 2025, the company faced significant challenges, including leadership changes, staff departures and a cancelled merger.
However, instead of retreating, Digital Edge boldly chose to reset and invest. They successfully improved profitability, secured major contracts linked to Manchester City and Sony PlayStation, and launched new innovations.
Bolstered by £ 100,000 in fresh investment to expand their team, this resilient, technically exceptional business remains proudly rooted locally.
PREVIOUS WINNERS 2025: HUSQVARNA UK 2024: SENSTRONICS 2022: 3M 2018: STILLER WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION 2016: PWS 2015: FINLEY STRUCTURES 2014: TEKMAR ENERGY