Issue 30 | Page 26

EVENTS

Energy firm sponsors Best Newcomer category for third time

Critical energy specialist Durata hopes that sponsoring the Best Newcomer category at the Tees Businesswomen Awards will help inspire girls to take a leap into the business world .

Firmly established as a celebration of the region ’ s female business leaders and female-led organisations , the fifth annual awards – organised by Tees Business in association with headline sponsors Northern Skills Group – will take place in Hardwick Hall ’ s grand marquee on Tuesday September 27 .
It ’ s the third consecutive year Durata will have sponsored the Best Newcomer category – and the Middlesbrough-based critical power specialist is always energised by supporting such a prestigious award .
Since the first awards in 2018 , the Best Newcomer category has showcased a remarkable pool of fresh business talent .
Last year , Eco Made Simple ’ s Kirsty Hayward picked up the title – a fitting reward for microbiologist Kirsty , who juggles her job at Fujifilm Diosynth Technologies – one of the firms making the coronavirus vaccine – with developing her own business .
An online shop and blog of eco-friendly lifestyle products , after just six months , Eco Made Simple was attracting 3,000 customers and bringing in more than £ 1,000 a month .
Supporters – Durata directors John and Alison McGee with Tees Business director Dave Allan ( left ).
And in 2020 , Wander Films founder Chloë Clover ’ s Best Newcomer triumph was a forerunner of further success , as last year she picked up the overall Businesswoman of the Year title .
Reflecting on his firm ’ s third sponsorship of the Best Newcomer award , Durata managing director John McGee said : “ This category showcases the freshest talent in
our area and hopefully can inspire others to take that leap and start their own business .
“ Our team regularly visits schools for events such as career fairs or career chats . This is so we can speak to all students but , of course , to help reinforce the message to girls that there are so many choices of career now .”

px Group on board for fifth consecutive year

Renewing its sponsorship of the Tees Businesswomen Awards ’ Training and Apprenticeships category was an “ obvious choice ” for px Group , the firm says .

The Stockton-based company – a leading asset management specialist for the energy and high-hazard industrial sector – has backed the category since the awards began in 2018 .
And by coming back on board for 2022 , it ’ s reasserting its belief in firms that go the extra mile to train and support its staff . px Group chief people officer Katie Woods-Ruddick said : “ Learning and development is important to me personally and to px as a company , so sponsoring this award is an obvious choice .
“ There are many organisations in our region doing amazing work in this area , so I hope the winner – as in previous years – is a company which creates an environment where learning is at the forefront and where women can thrive .”
Katie said px Group sees first hand “ the value that a diverse workplace brings ”.
She added : “ Highlighting and celebrating the individuals and companies who support women and business is something we absolutely want to be part of .
“ The awards highlight the wideranging job roles and career
Founding sponsors – Tees Business events manager Julie Burniston with px Group chief people officer Katie Woods-Ruddick and some of her team at its Stockton offices .
opportunities that are available to women in our region and celebrate all of their successes .”
ENTRY & NOMINATION DEADLINE : JULY 22
Categories and online entry forms available at teesbusiness . co . uk / awards .
2022
26 | Tees Business