TEES TECH AWARDS 2022
SPONSORED BY ASPIRE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS – @ ASPIRETS
TECH FOR GOOD
FINALIST
NITE LIGHT
Careers – Verve Group CEO Cathi Harrison with Justin Godfrey of category sponsor Aspire Technology Solutions .
WINNER
THE VERVE GROUP
It ’ s a programme that helps break down the barriers to people working in finance .
And Verve Group CEO Cathi Harrison hopes it ’ s just the start of various notfor-profit initiatives to be run under the firm ’ s “ Verve Foundation ” banner .
Verve – a Darlington-based collection of financial advice specialists – clinched the Tech For Good title with its “ We Are Change ” programme , which provides fully-funded training for those who might otherwise be unable to enter the finance sector .
Whether it ’ s a career disruption caused by Covid , or simply a financial barrier to entry , We Are Change aims to make it easier for people to consider careers in financial services .
Cathi said : “ The aim of We Are Change is to attract new people into finance – to help get people into a career they might not otherwise have chosen .
“ It was also to get people in financial services to put their money where their mouths are , to club together and to just fund new people coming into the industry and give them a chance at a brand-new career – something exciting . “ It ’ s not the easiest thing to convince people to part with money that ’ s not immediately benefiting them , but what ’ s happened is there are so many amazing people – some of them young , some re-careering – coming into whole new paths from previous lives who are so passionate and so excited to get into a whole new industry .”
We Are Change is just one strand of Verve ’ s mission to invest in the future of finance , she added .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Justin Godfrey , sales manager at Aspire Technology Solutions , said : “ Aspire Technology Solutions is one of the fastest-growing IT managed service and cyber security providers in the UK . Last year we opened a new Teesside office at Fusion Hive , which has been specifically built as a hub for growing digital and tech companies . The area is quickly becoming one of the most vibrant digital hubs in the UK , and we ’ re really proud to call Teesside our home . At Aspire , innovation is at the very heart of everything we do . That ’ s why we were honoured to sponsor the Tees Tech for Good Award . The finalists showcased some of the best and brightest tech innovations which are driving positive impact , not only within Teesside , but across the UK . Huge congratulations to the Verve Group . They are working hard to develop innovative solutions harnessing technology with a purpose . This is very much at the core of everything we do at Aspire .”
Nite Light is a digital “ pay forward ” service that provides cashless aid for those facing poverty and homelessness in the Tees Valley .
Via a website , supporters can purchase food , drink or hygiene bags from Nite Light ’ s partner cafes and bistros . Other partners distribute debit-style cards with no cash value to exchange for these products . Volunteers run activities such as free market stalls , basic IT training , litter picking and leaflet distribution , and walk around town centres to engage with the homeless .
Nite Light is a registered referral partner for local food banks , Children In Need , Tees Valley Together and Affordable Warmth – all of which has been made possible since the launch of the “ pay forward ” service .
FINALIST
COLEHOUSE COMMUNICATIONS
Middlesbrough-based Colehouse Communications is a digital marketing agency that specialises in high-impact digital strategy through various projects and campaigns .
Vocabulary Ninja , an online teaching resource for primary-aged children and their teachers , was rebranded and relaunched by Colehouse in January 2021 and has been used in classrooms across the world to help Key Stage One children improve their vocabulary skills using Vocabulary Ninja Mini Games .
Ninety per cent of the project was delivered remotely , with huge success , and the company regularly receives feedback about its effectiveness from the children who use it , and praise from the teachers who have enhanced lessons with them .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 35