BEST NEW BUSINESS
SPONSORED BY PD PORTS
FINALIST
Talking Tides Brew Co
Winner – 1st for EPA managing director Helen Shinner receives the Best New Business award from Kirsten Donkin , of sponsor PD Ports .
WINNER
1st for EPA
The boss of a double award winner – including the “ big one ” – at the Best New Tees Business Awards says the quality of the area ’ s apprentices is encouraging for the future .
Middlesbrough ’ s 1st for EPA , which helps apprentices through their end-point assessments ( EPAs ), was crowned Best New Business , as well as Best New Services Business .
And the firm ’ s delighted MD , Helen Shinner , was quick to pay tribute to the people it works with .
She said : “ Apprentices get more and more skilled every year . They ’ re fantastic and I think they ’ re going to support our future industries to grow .”
That winning feeling is becoming familiar for 1st for EPA , having also won the Small Business of the Year and the Best New Business titles at the Tees Businesswomen Awards . But Helen was keen to share the acclaim , saying : “ This is fantastic recognition for the whole team .
“ I think we ’ re going from strength to strength . We ’ re all about putting apprentices and customers first – that is our ethos in everything we do and it pays off .
“ Apprentices tell us we have friendly assessors who put them at ease , because assessments can be so daunting , but we really go the extra mile to make our apprentices understand it and not to be on edge . They ’ re relaxed and so are able to do their best in their assessments .
“ We ’ ve got a 98 per cent first time pass rate , so we ’ re minimising resits and supporting apprentices to be the best they can be .”
SPONSOR MESSAGE
Kirsten Donkin , head of PR , marketing and communications at PD Ports , said : “ I was delighted to have the privilege of announcing the Best New Business award . I was staggered at the unwavering passion and commitment , as well as the personal resilience , of every entry for this category . Reviewing the submissions filled me with an incredible sense of pride as a Teessider . These awards should send a loud message out to all of our region ’ s budding entrepreneurs that if you have a dream and you believe in what you do , you can make it happen .”
Talking Tides Brew Co was founded by three local lads who share two passions – a love of our area and awesome craft beers .
Since its first two beers sold out within a week of release in the run-up to Christmas 2021 , Talking Tides beers have been sold to more than 70 UK retailers and even a retailer in Amsterdam .
Founders Ste , Pete and Josh now have exciting plans for a brewery and taproom in Longbeck Trading Estate , Marske .
FINALIST
McBrides Payroll Bureau Services
Launched in Hartlepool in 2021 , the firm is managed by director Tracey Courtley and payroll senior Lauren Gleaves , who worked together for 17 years and bring a collective 48 years ’ experience to the business .
Backed by McBrides Chartered Accountants , they have attracted 149 clients , ranging from single directors to 160 employees , and have now recruited a local payroll trainee .
Turnover was £ 156,500 in the first 10 months , with a £ 195,000 target in its first full year .
FINALIST
WOODSmith Construction Group
Since its inception less than 18 months ago , WOODSmith Construction Group has more than doubled its predicted turnover and won key contracts ahead of large , established competitors .
The Skelton-based firm ’ s ethos is to provide a high-quality , end-to-end service for clients , making their projects run smoothly , on time and on budget with the help of its sister brands , all the while providing opportunities for local people and supporting the communities it operates in .
110 | Tees Business