2021
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Punch Robson
WINNER :
THE PERSONAL SUPPORT NETWORK ( TEESSIDE )
To win the Business of the Year title at the Tees Businesswomen Awards was exciting enough for Ruth Jameson . But when , minutes later , her daughter , Wander Films ’ creative director Chloë Clover , picked up the Businesswoman of the Year title , her night was complete in the best possible way .
Ruth ’ s success came with the Personal Support Network ( PSN ) – a domiciliary care provider and support service she runs with Tracey Gunn and Lisa McCallay .
PSN employs more than 120 people – of whom more than 80 per cent are female – from its base in Berwick Hills , Middlesbrough . Established in 2011 , it provides personcentred , bespoke care and support . It also supports its workers of all genders by offering flexible working patterns , so those with caring responsibilities are able to choose when they work – an approach which has helped PSN maintain better than average staff retention in a notoriously transient care workforce .
Ruth says PSN ’ s award success came as a huge surprise , especially as it ’ s a business which operates “ under the radar ” to an extent .
She said : “ Being brutally honest , even though we ’ ve been in business as long as we have , we don ’ t promote ourselves . But then I thought , ‘ Do you know what , three women from this area , we employ more than 120 people – we need to go for this ’. But people don ’ t know us – I was so surprised we won .
“ I just sat with my head in my hands when our name was announced , I couldn ’ t believe it .”
Support – Ruth Jameson , of Business of the Year The Personal Support Network , with Elaine McLaine- Wood , of sponsor Punch Ropson .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS ( ITS )
A Middlesbrough-based specialist independent automation systems company that has operated across five continents and worked in 24 countries during the last 30 years , ITS has always championed women .
Its current apprentices are all female while women hold a number of senior positions , making up 35 per cent of the workforce and contributing to the ongoing success .
The past 12 months has seen ITS bloom , despite the pandemic , yet the company never loses focus on its community . It supports the future of young adults and demonstrates to future generations that engineering is an option for all and not just a male-only career choice .
VAS GROUP
Middlesbrough-based VAS Group comprises three businesses : VAS Audit – the UK ’ s only valuations auditing and assurance business , VAS Panel – the UK ’ s most comprehensive valuations panel management service , and VAS Software – facilitating lenders ’ inhouse valuation panel management systems .
VAS Group has 28 staff , of whom 80 per cent are female , with six women and three men making up the senior team . VAS Group has added six staff since the turn of the year and plans to appoint another six before the end of the year .
Despite Covid , the business has grown exponentially year-on-year and they continue to invest in technology and their staff to ensure that they support their current clients as well as win many new ones .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Elaine McLaine-Wood , managing partner of Punch Robson , said : “ Punch Robson has sponsored the Tees Businesswomen Awards since its inception , something which we will continue to do . The awards are very important to encourage and inspire younger females whether in education or simply starting out in their own career . With it is a responsibility to not only show what is possible but also for us to work collaboratively , addressing support needs , including mental health . It can be very lonely as a female business leader and with it comes many obstacles . We owe it to ourselves to support those coming through and ensure there are mentors allocated to assist with the transition . It is possible to reach high , but you also need to have the support and reassurance to know it can happen with hard work , determination and passion .”