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WELCOME
Welcome back
FOREWORD by James Lees , Mabo
HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE OF TEES BUSINESS :
16
TASTE OF THE TEES Which restaurants top the Tees food charts ?
20
COVER FEATURE We talk to Tees Tech Ambassador Dom Lusardi about his past , present and future
25-42
TECH THAT Special supplement covering the Tees Tech Awards
62
TEES UP ! We share a virtual cuppa and catch up with HR expert Jo Davies
88
NEW LOOK Rebrand for AV port facility
100
TOMORROW ’ S WORLD How investment will help to support jobs of the future
Welcome to the 23rd issue of Tees Business
It ’ s an honour to write the guest foreword
for this special tech-focused edition of Tees Business . We ’ re incredibly proud to have been named Company of the Year in the inaugural Tees Tech Awards , held at the end of August . Hats off to the guys at Tees Business for pulling off what was a fantastic event , after all the uncertainty over the summer .
A lot of tech and digital companies had put much time and effort into entering the very first Tees Tech Awards , which were designed to shine a spotlight on a sector which doesn ’ t tend to shout about itself as much as it should .
So it was important they went ahead – and it was perhaps appropriate for the tech awards to go virtual – with technology coming to the rescue .
We were delighted to have been shortlisted as Company of the Year alongside two local powerhouses , and against many other top tech companies .
The digital sector in the Tees region is so strong that it was enough to just be shortlisted , let alone actually win the award .
Congratulations to all the other winners and shortlisted candidates – it was a brilliant celebration of our sector as a whole .
Now I believe it ’ s time for a collaborative voice . The Tech Awards have showcased the incredible talent our region has and it ’ s time to shout about our achievements even more .
All the winners and finalists can now be the figureheads for that effort .
This autumn issue of Tees Business has extensive coverage of the Tech Awards , which makes great reading , along with many other features covering different sectors and industries across the whole region .
There ’ s also a great countdown feature showcasing the region ’ s best restaurants in the magazine ’ s annual poll . Definitely a great reference for when you ’ re next looking to eat out somewhere new !
The fact this issue is a record for sales , given the current climate , is not only testament to the faith people have in the publication , but it also sends out a positive message that the Tees region is back in business .
James Lees Marketing director , Mabo
TALKING UP YOUR BUSINESS
As the voice of the Tees business community , Tees Business is the perfect way to promote your successes , products and services to your fellow local businesses . Published every quarter , thousands of copies of Tees Business are delivered FREE to the Tees region ’ s business communities of Stockton , Middlesbrough , Darlington , Redcar & Cleveland , Hartlepool , Wynyard and Stokesley .
See our website teesbusiness . co . uk for our Media Pack with full details of our packages , starting from just £ 295 .
Our skilled team can write your editorial , take photographs and design your adverts – at no additional charge .
Call 01642 450255 or email info @ teesbusiness . co . uk for more details .
See page 118 for details of our enhanced digital and online packages – with a range of ideas for reaching your potential customers during the Covid-19 challenge .
PRIVACY POLICY We have made some updates to our Privacy Policy to make it easier for you to understand what information we collect , why we collect it , and how we use it . You can view our policy online at teesbusiness . co . uk / privacy . If you do not want to receive hard copies of Tees Business , or our weekly e-news , please email privacy @ teesbusiness . co . uk .
* All rights reserved . Reproduction , in whole or part without written permission , is strictly prohibited . Tees Business accepts adverts and advertorials in good faith and takes no responsibility for errors and / or omissions . We cannot be held responsible for advertisers offering goods or services . All information is correct , to the best of our knowledge , at the time of publishing .
Tees Business | W : teesbusiness . co . uk | Tel : 01642 450255 | Email : info @ teesbusiness . co . uk Plenary BV House , Queen ’ s Square , Middlesbrough , TS2 1PA Published & distributed by : Resolution Media & Publishing Ltd | resolutionpublishing . co . uk Executive editors : Martin Walker and Dave Allan . Editing assistance : Michael McGeary . Designed by : KINSHIP , sarah @ designbykinship . co . uk
Our writers : Dave Robson , Joanne Barrett , Peter Barron , Julie Burniston , Michael McGeary , Graeme Anderson , Sarah Walker , Harry Pearson , Colin Young .
Our photographers : Graeme Rowatt ( including front cover ), Chris Booth , Doug Moody , Tom Banks .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 3