ROLL CALL
OH , WHAT A NIGHT !
All the winners and finalists from the inaugural Tees Business Awards :
TEES BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by PD Ports Winner : Fleet Factors Finalists : Cleveland Containers , Vistech Services
TEES BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Punch Robson Solicitors Winner : Rich Himsworth ( Salesfire ) Finalists : Victoria Lynch ( Additional Lengths ), Jason Pritchard ( SCALE Digital Ventures Group )
SMALL TEES BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Tees Valley Combined Authority Winner : Elemy Finalists : Alt Labs , AM Recruitment , Better , Doornbos Equipment
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Sponsored by Westray Recruitment Group Winner : Ken Devereux ( Devereux Transport & Distribution ) Finalists : Mike Heagney ( Gardens Revitalised ), Paul Johnson ( Universal Coatings )
All the highlights from emotioncharged Tees Business Awards
A
notable “ hat-trick ” for Middlesbrough FC , a poignant “ double ” for Ken and Catherine Devereux , top prize for a family-run business and a rousing speech by Mackenzie Thorpe produced a night of tension , excitement and high emotion at the first Tees Business Awards .
Hardwick Hall ’ s Coleman Suite was a fittingly impressive venue for the event – organised by Tees Business in association with headline sponsor PD Ports and launched to celebrate the very best performers on the Tees business scene .
Around 380 people saw the coveted Tees Business of the Year trophy – dramatically carried into the room under the spotlight by PD Ports ’ Kirsten Donkin – go to Fleet Factors . You can read about their success and the winners and finalists of all the awards on the following pages in this special supplement .
Hosted by Pam Royle DL and Peter Barron MBE DL , the event also featured emotion-packed speeches by Tees Business nonexecutive director Bob Cuffe and globally renowned Teesside artist Mackenzie Thorpe . All four are patrons of the North East Autism Society , which was the chosen charity for the night .
Speaking on behalf of the event ’ s headline sponsors , PD Ports ’ Kirsten Donkin spoke about the awards in the context of ongoing business challenges , saying : “ We all continue to battle with the ongoing challenges brought by Covid , Brexit , conflict in Ukraine and surging energy costs , but we take on those challenges and embrace change , we adapt , we innovate , we grow and we succeed .
“ And that is what tonight is all about – recognising and rewarding the talented people and progressive businesses achieving great things across our region .”
Tees Business director Dave Allan summarised the event , adding : “ This is what Tees Business is all about – shining a spotlight on our region ’ s businesses and the brilliant people behind them .
“ The awards were an emotioncharged celebration of what makes the Teesside business community the best in the world .
“ Our thanks in particular to headline sponsors PD Ports , who gave us the initial encouragement to make these inaugural awards happen by backing us from the start .
“ But we couldn ’ t do it without the support of all our sponsors , so a big thank you to them .”
INNOVATION AWARD Sponsored by Tascomp Winner : OGEL Finalists : Findley Roofing , New World Financial Group , SeerBI
UNSUNG HERO Sponsored by Katmex Winner : Paul South ( MFC Foundation ) Finalist : Lou Tonner ( Wander Films )
TRAINING & APPRENTICESHIPS AWARD Sponsored by Middlesbrough College Group Winner : Intelect Finalists : Sembcorp Energy UK , Stockton-on- Tees Employment & Training Hub
DIVERSITY AWARD Sponsored by CF Fertilisers Winner : Middlesbrough Football Club Finalists : Alt Labs , Moonrise 24hr Recruitment
GREEN INNOVATION AWARD Sponsored by Durata Winner : Scott Bros Finalists : Foley ’ s Equestrian Surfaces , Protium
MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD Sponsored by Claire Walton of Leaders Are MAD Winner : Catherine Devereux ( Russ Devereux Headlight Project ) Finalists : Shak Asghar ( Nudl ), Emma Crocher ( Elite Consult Group ), Dot Smith ( Recovery Connections )
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS Sponsored by TRL Group Winner : Middlesbrough Football Club Finalists : Better , Contemporary Community Choirs , Step Forward Tees Valley
SHORTLIST FILMS SPONSOR : Clive Owen LLP PROGRAMME SPONSOR : AM Recruitment WELCOME DRINK SPONSOR : Sanderson Weatherall TABLE WINE SPONSOR : Sembcorp
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