BREAKING THE MOULD
Sponsored by ITS
WINNER : LAURA HEPBURN
( GREENOLOGY ( TEESSIDE ))
Breaking the Mould was an apt award for Laura Hepburn to win . Struck down with Covid on the night of the ceremony , she accepted her accolade from her sick bed , saying : “ I ’ ve always done things differently and there was no way I was going to miss being part of such an amazing event .”
Breaking the mould in so many ways , Laura is MD and founder of Greenology ( Teesside ), a Middlesbrough business focused on turning waste tyres into marine-grade oil .
Despite an arson attack destroying one of her yards , Laura fought back , showing incredible determination to succeed , opening new premises and submitting plans for an £ 8m fully integrated end-oflife tyre processing plant .
“ It was amazing to be shortlisted alongside Amanda and Angela who are matriarchs of the Tees business community , but to win is something else ,” said Laura as she collected her award .
“ Being a director in business can be lonely sometimes , and that ’ s why these awards are so wonderful .
“ They not only help women to make networks with amazing legends in business , but they ’ re a chance to showcase the wonderful business we do in the Tees Valley . For me personally , winning the award has given me a voice I might not have had .”
Joanne Rout of ITS presented Laura Hepburn with the Breaking the Mould award .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
Amanda Gardiner ( Durham Lifting )
Amanda has been owner / director of Middlesbrough-based Durham Lifting for more than 25 years , though her experience in the lifting world spans 33 years .
Amanda has worked tirelessly to build a career in the male-dominated sector of lifting equipment , growing her business and developing a product range that is now distributed worldwide . She has broken the mould time and time again , helping Durham Lifting build a reputation in the industry for quality , innovation and excellence .
A keen supporter of local charities , mum-of-two Amanda ’ s positive , can-do attitude has seen Durham Lifting thrive despite two oil and gas recessions and Covid-19 .
Angela Davies ( CSI Training and Events )
Angela is the co-founder and managing director of CSI Training and Events and its digital sister company , Crime Scene Assist . She is also a mass fatality responder for international disaster response company Blake Emergency Services .
Angela has utilised her crime scene and forensic education , skills and experience to create innovative products and services that educate and inspire audiences . She is also passionate about STEM education - inspiring young women to take up science education and careers .
Despite a disability which causes her chronic pain , Angela has forged ahead with her ambitions and her career has taken her as far afield as Libya , Ethiopia and South America .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Sales account manager Joanne Rout of ITS said : “ Industrial Technology Systems ’ focus on equal opportunities has led to it employing an unusually high level of women in technical and senior positions at its Middlesbrough base . We were delighted to sponsor this category , as several colleagues at ITS are themselves ‘ breaking the mould ’ and often combining their technical careers with caring responsibilities .
“ The shortlisting process was not easy . The candidates had all achieved remarkable career successes in fields with lower levels of representation by females . “ Laura Hepburn thoroughly deserves this award because she has shown determination and tenacity in overcoming the challenges and opposition she faced in developing a new green technology business . These include discrimination and balancing a career with parenthood . We were also impressed by how she had supported others during the pandemic by setting up a new business to create jobs .”
32 | Tees Business