Tees Business Issue 35 | Page 39

INSPIRATEES

She founded her Stockton-based sales outsourcing business eight years ago . Jessica also sits on the innovation board at Teesside University Business School , the business engagement board at TVCA and is an ambassador for the Girls ’ Network . As a keen runner , she also takes part in regular charity fundraisers .

16th ( 8th ) Dean Benson Visualsoft , Stockton The co-founder of a digital business he started 25 years ago that ’ s grown into the region ’ s largest digital agency , Teesside University graduate Dean Benson is the public face of Stockton ’ s Visualsoft , with a team of 280 developers and digital marketers across three UK locations , as well as Dubai , providing e-commerce platforms .

As a philanthropist , he also donated £ 20,000 of his own money to a digital poverty campaign before launching his own charity , Tech Equal , addressing digital poverty issues .

Recognition - Jo Davies was applauded .

17th ( 18th ) Jo Davies HR Alchemy , Yarm Founder and managing director of her own HR consultancy for nearly eight years , Jo was previously HR director for SSI ’ s 2,000-strong workforce before the closure of the Redcar steelworks , while she was also part of the management teams of steel giants Tata and Corus after cutting her HR teeth with British Steel .

HR Alchemy ’ s impressive list of clients includes Dragons ’ Den star Sara Davies ’ Crafters Companion , Additional Lengths , Casper Shipping and the Rio and Tomahawk steakhouse chain .

A Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel & Development , Jo was a finalist for the 2020 Tees Businesswoman of the Year . She is also a trustee of Teesside Hospice .

Smiles - Mark Easby ( centre ) with Savannah Marshall and Abdul Shakeel .

18th ( 12th ) Mark Easby Better , Middlesbrough Last year ’ s highest new entry in our list , Mark is the founder and managing director of Middlesbrough-based strategic brand agency Better , with an impressive client list that includes Visualsoft , PD Ports , Teesworks and NHS England .

He also chairs the High Tide Foundation , a charity showcasing job opportunities for the region ’ s young people .

19th ( 17th ) Jessica Williams Just Williams , Stockton Born in Cambridge and raised in Sheffield , Jessica didn ’ t move to our region until she was 18 , but she is now very much an adopted Teessider .

20th ( new entry ) Alison McGee Durata , Middlesbrough Quality director and company secretary of critical power specialist Durata , Alison ’ s star is rising fast , as recognised by her making our top 30 for the first time while also being shortlisted for Tees Businesswoman of the Year 2023 . She was also a finalist in the Breaking the Mould category at last year ’ s Tees Businesswomen Awards .

21st ( new entry ) Charlie Nettle AV Dawson , Middlesbrough The focus of the cover feature in this issue of Tees Business , Charlie is AV Dawson ’ s managing director designate , set to succeed Gary Dawson as the logistics firm ’ s MD .

Another adopted Teessider , Charlie has enjoyed a meteoric rise since taking a part-time job hiring portable buildings on his arrival in the region . Having been head of marketing at the North East Chamber of Commerce and AV Dawson , he was promoted to AV ’ s head of commercial and marketing and has now taken on his latest challenge .

The voice of business in the Tees region | 39