Sponsored by Punch Robson Solicitors
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
WINNER : ADDITIONAL LENGTHS
Going more global – that ’ s the aim of a hair care firm which proved it ’ s a cut above by winning the Business of the Year title .
Additional Lengths won the SME prize at the same awards three years ago , but it ’ s now gone a step further by bagging the “ biggie ” at the prestigious 2022 ceremony .
Additional Lengths are experts in all things hair . Not only do they specialise in hair extensions , they also sell hair care and hair tools , having grown into a multi-million-pound business , with a store , a salon and a 20,000-sq ft headquarters in Stockton .
And MD Victoria Lynch – who started her hair extension firm from her mum ’ s house 19 years ago – says the firm ’ s continued success is testament to the 25-strong team she has around her .
She said : “ We ’ ve had a pandemic and come out of the other side , doing tremendously well , which I attribute to the team working with me .
“ If anything , we learned from the pandemic – it helped us identify some of the areas we weren ’ t focusing on and the customer groups we were missing out on . It gave us that opportunity to totally rethink the development of the business – we turned a negative into a positive .”
And having battled through that pandemic adversity , Victoria has further international plans .
She explained : “ We ’ ve got loads of things on the cards for what ’ s next – too many to mention and some of them are secret , but we ’ re definitely going to be going more global .”
Proud as punch – Additional Lengths managing director Victoria Lynch receives the Business of the Year award from Elaine McLaine-Wood , managing partner of category sponsor Punch Robson Solicitors .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
AbacusBean
AbacusBean has achieved in the first two years of business what most accountancy firms accomplish in 10 . From Bev Goodall ’ s initial leap of faith , a brand has been built up from nothing . Making accountancy more accessible , understandable and friendly through an informal , genuine and transparent approach , AbacusBean has emerged as a recognisable and trusted brand for Teesside businesses and beyond . It also invests in people inside and outside of the business , helping wherever it can , with a team that thrives in a culture of mutual respect , consideration and kindness . AbacusBean invests in people and people invest back .
Intasite
Intasite specialises in health and safety induction and contractor management software for secure sites . Established in 2015 , the Intasite platform is built for safety teams in high-hazard and heavy industry environments , streamlining site access processes and allowing visitors and contractors to carry out an induction remotely . Contractor qualifications , competencies and risk assessments are also requested and verified through the digital system . Instasite ’ s skilled production team has more than 25 years of experience in delivering the latest video technology and 3D animation content . It has helped streamline the induction process for some of the world ’ s most secure and safety-conscious sites .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Elaine McLaine-Wood , managing partner , Punch Robson Solicitors , said : “ We ’ re immensely proud to be founding sponsors of the Tees Businesswomen of the Year awards and – as usual – the night never fails to inspire . The standard of entries this year was exceptionally high , and the stories we saw delivered on the night were wonderful . Well done to everyone who was shortlisted and congratulations to the winners .”
36 | Tees Business