2021
PROFESSOR JANE TURNER AWARD FOR
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
WINNER :
ANNE
PRESTON MBE
( PRESTONS OF POTTO )
Sponsored by Northern Skills Group
Business pioneer Anne Preston MBE was described as a “ legend ” before receiving the Professor Jane Turner Award for Outstanding Contribution at the culmination of the fourth annual Tees Businesswomen Awards .
She celebrates her 84th birthday this year but Anne remains chair of Prestons of Potto , the iconic family haulage firm she began running with her late husband Richard in the late 1950s .
And she received a heartfelt standing ovation from 370 guests in the Grand Marquee at Hardwick Hall when Zoe Lewis , CEO of event sponsor Northern Skills Group , ended a star-filled evening of awards by surprising Anne with confirmation that she was the winner of an award previously won by Jane Turner herself in 2019 and last year posthumously by radio presenter and community champion Julie Donaldson . Anne , who was accompanied by daughter Jayne , revealed she ’ d been invited to the event “ under false pretences ” in order to keep the award a surprise .
“ I was absolutely flabbergasted ,” she said afterwards . “ It is the most prestigious thing – to win it on Teesside where all my business began , where I live and work , it ’ s a wonderful thing .
“ I ’ ve had awards in the city , I ’ ve won big things , the MBE etcetra , but to win on Teesside is the most memorable thing that can happen .
Legend – Anne Preston MBE of Prestons of Potto .
“ It ’ s a very proud night indeed for me and very unexpected – I had no idea whatsoever I was going to win this award . To win this amazing thing is unbelievable .”
Still a lynchpin of the company she and her husband set up in the 1950s , Anne helped change her industry , breaking through the glass ceiling to become the first woman on the board of the Road Haulage Association .
The vehicles of Prestons of Potto have carried the steel that built the Shard and the Olympic Stadium and the concrete that went into Arsenal ’ s Emirates Stadium .
Zoe Lewis revealed Anne was chosen for this year ’ s award after she had discussed the options with Tees Businesswomen Awards organisers Dave Allan and Martin Walker , plus the
first three Tees Businesswomen of the Year , Claire Preston , Sharon Lane and Jane Armitage .
“ In any industry , Anne would be revered as a business legend ,” said Zoe Lewis , before presenting the award along with Jane Turner ’ s son , James . “ I fight for Teesside every day ,” added Anne . “ We ’ re Teesside ’ s oldest haulier , I think .
“ I ’ ve been really lucky over my life . You probably think you might get an award like this in your 30s or 40s but at 84 ?
“ It ’ s still a man ’ s world , especially in what I do for a living , in road haulage , but you ’ ve got to keep persisting , you ’ ve got to be the best . And you need a lot of luck too .”
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Zoe Lewis , principal and CEO of headline sponsors Middlesbrough College Group , said : “ Northern Skills Group was delighted to be headline sponsor of these awards again this year .
“ The increase in entries , increase in attendees at the event and quality of speakers and nominees was a great testament to the success of these awards .
“ This year was extra special as it allowed for a fitting tribute to the memory of Professor Jane Turner , who was instrumental in establishing the awards four years ago , and to see Anne Preston win the Outstanding Contribution award and Chloë Clover , the Businesswoman of the Year award just topped off another special night .
“ A huge well done to the Tees Business team for making these awards happen each year .”