Sponsored by Casper Shipping
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
WINNER : 1ST FOR EPA
It picked up the Best New Business title last year – now 1st for EPA has another Tees Businesswomen Award to its name .
And paying tribute to her team – “ the best team in the world ” – MD Helen Shinner said the next development for the firm , which helps apprentices navigate their end-point assessments , would be on apprentices ’ wellbeing .
She explained : “ Mental health and wellbeing are so important , so we are creating a wellbeing hub because we really want to support apprentices throughout their end-point assessments .
“ As you can imagine , there are so many issues facing apprentices – everything from living on an apprentice ’ s wage during the cost-ofliving crisis through to dealing with your assessment . There ’ s anxiety , nerves , everything that comes with your usual assessments .
“ The wellbeing hub will hopefully be a place apprentices can go and get the resources they need to get that extra bit of support . That ’ s what ’ s next for us and , hopefully , what will help us grow .”
And she said 1st for EPA ’ s continuing success showed anything is achievable . She said : “ Ten years ago , I ’ d never have thought I ’ d be here doing this .
“ I spent the first 10 , 15 years of my career thinking I didn ’ t know what I wanted to be when I grow up . Even today I sometimes think that ! But I ’ ve finally found something I love and am passionate about and this is what carries you further – you get to impact other people , you get to do good things and you get to see the impact it has on other people .”
Award – Casper Shipping director Nikki Sayer presents the Small Business of the Year award to Helen Shinner , managing director of 1st for EPA .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
Intasite
Led by company director and co-owner Danielle Croce , Intasite specialises in health and safety induction and contractor management software for secure sites . Its platform works within industries such as chemical , renewables , ports and shipping , manufacturing and construction to streamline the site access process , allowing visitors and contractors to carry out inductions remotely before arriving on site . Qualifications , competencies and risk assessments are also verified through the digital system , with Intasite having helped streamline the induction process for some of the most secure and safety-conscious sites across the globe , such as SSE , CBRE , Mitsubishi Chemical , RWE , SABIC and Telefonica 02 .
The Protection Parent
An independent insurance brokerage company , run by Karla Edwards , it offers advice on all aspects of personal insurance , as well as mortgages , wills and critical illness cover . Karla , who also hosts a podcast called Money Making Mothers , in which she interviews women who are juggling careers with motherhood , is passionate about educating people on the benefits of insurance and creating jobs for other women to empower them in a male-dominated industry . The business is just over a year old but is already eyeing a turnover of more than £ 1m in 2023 . And because of the initial success , Karla has taken on an apprentice , four insurance advisors and a mortgage advisor – all female .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Michael Shakesheff , group managing director , Casper Group , said : “ We understand the challenges small businesses face , especially in these unprecedented times . We also understand the importance of celebrating success , and this why we decided to support and sponsor this category . The quality of applications was simply outstanding and all applicants should be incredibly proud of their achievements . 1st for EPA demonstrated a robust business model , consistent growth and a real appetite for future success .”
38 | Tees Business