Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business Issue 42 | Page 30

30 | Aycliffe Today Business
Outstanding contribution award
for inspirational leader
A
dedication and determination to
inspire and motivate women in the
region to achieve their potential has
led to unexpected recognition for a Teesside
University leader.
Professor Jane Turner OBE received the
Outstanding Contribution Award at the
Tees Businesswomen Awards 2019, held
at Wynyard Hall and organised by Tees
Business publishers Resolution Media and
Publishing, which is co-owned by Aycliffe
Today editor Martin Walker.
The surprise award was handed to
Professor Turner in recognition of her work
to motivate and empower young women
to fulfil their potential and achieve their
ambitions.
In an emotional film, business leaders
described Professor Turner as a force
of nature who inspires everyone and as
somebody who has worked tirelessly to raise
the profile of women in the Tees Valley.
More than 440 people packed out Wynyard
Hall’s Grand Marquee for the second Tees
Businesswomen Awards event, held in
association with Northern Skills Group,
the training and apprenticeship arm of
Middlesbrough College.
Tees Business co-editor Martin Walker,
who owns Aycliffe-based Mantis Media,
said: “Jane has been one of our biggest
ambassadors and has championed the Tees
Businesswomen Awards from the day we
announced them, so we wanted to recognise
and thank her for that.
“But it’s the work she has done for all
women across the Tees Valley that we
primarily wanted to acknowledge – and the
standing ovation she received for her award
really said it all.”
Tees Business co-editor Dave Allan added:
“Jane is an incredible, truly inspiring woman
who we were proud to honour with the
Outstanding Contribution Award.
“She has not only actively supported the
Tees Businesswomen Awards on a personal
level, but has grown an incredible girls’
mentoring group comprising some of the
region’s leading businesswomen including
several of those honoured at the Tees
Businesswomen Awards last year and this.
“Jane is a driving force and an inspiration
to many and the short film we showed at
the event – full of tributes from leading local
businesswomen – revealed just a little of
how highly regarded she is.”
Professor Turner is Pro Vice-Chancellor
(Enterprise and Business Engagement) at
Teesside University and received an OBE in
2017 for her outstanding services to business
engagement.
She is often cited as one of the region’s
most influential women in business and has
been championed for her work to promote
gender balance – featuring in the Northern
Women Power List 2018, alongside the
Tees Business co-owner Martin Walker,
who is also editor of Aycliffe Today, with his
business partner Dave Allan and Teesside
University professor Jane Turner.
likes of Steph McGovern and Baroness Sue
Campbell CBE.
Congratulating Professor Turner on her
latest accolade, Professor Paul Croney,
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at
Teesside University, said: “Jane is a fantastic
ambassador for our institution and is a role
model for so many people who are looking
to make their mark in business in the Tees
Valley.
“It is fantastic to see Jane recognised
once again for all of her hard work and
dedication and I would like to congratulate
her on behalf of the entire Teesside
University community for yet another
incredible achievement.”
Professor Turner said: “I am so fortunate to
have a wonderful boss, the Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Paul Croney, who enables me to
thrive in my role.
“It is extremely important to me that
we have female role models in this area
who are able to mentor, support and
inspire young women. We have to disrupt
embedded norms to change the trajectory
for generations to come. Next plan is to start
to support young boys but more of that later.
“The Tees Businesswomen Awards are a
fantastic event which shine a spotlight on
the amazing work that women are doing
in this region. I am incredibly proud to be
able to play a part in that and to receive the
Outstanding Contribution Award will rank
alongside one of the highlights of my career.”
Other winners at the Tees Businesswomen
Awards 2019 included Sharon Lane
(Businesswoman of the Year), Catherine
Devereux, Russ Devereux Headlight Project
(Inspiring Others), Jacksons Law (Company
of the Year), Sara Arthur, Genesis Protection
Services (Best Newcomer), Ann Stonehouse,
Assist Women’s Network (Lifelong
Inspiration), Marcia Price, Seqens-Chemoxy
(Breaking the Mould), Additional Lengths
(SME of the Year), Abacus Bean (Best
New Business), The Halo Project (Training
& Apprenticeships) and Footprints in the
Community (Charity award).