Super six - Tees Businesswoman of the Year Cathi Harrison ( third left ) with , from left : her predecessors : Jane Armitage , Chloe Clover , Sharon Lane , Claire Preston and Kimberley Turner .
Big winner – Cathi Harrison was crowned as the sixth Tees Businesswoman of the Year .
SIXTH
SENSE
‘ Transformational ’ Tees Businesswomen Awards gaining momentum
On a fantastic night of celebration , the Verve Group ’ s CEO Cathi Harrison and interior design specialist Cocoon & Bauer were among the big winners at the sixth Tees Businesswomen Awards .
And it was a special – and emotional – night for Pat McBride , whose selfless dedication to helping Teesside families over many years earned her a standing ovation when receiving the Jane Turner Award for Outstanding Contribution . Around 400 people gathered at Hardwick Hall ’ s plush Grand Marquee to celebrate the Tees region ’ s amazing array of female business talent .
Organised by Tees Business in association with Middlesbrough College Group , the winners of 12 awards were revealed at the event – which was hosted by TV and radio presenter Charlie Charlton and also featured a keynote speech from renowned Teesside astrophysicist , Professor Carole Haswell .
The event bristled with excitement and emotion as the names of the finalists , and then each category winner , were read out .
And when it came to the blue riband prizes , it was quite a night for interior design specialist Cocoon & Bauer , which picked up the coveted Business of the Year title , and for the founder , sole owner and CEO of the Verve Group , Cathi Harrison , who was named Tees Businesswoman of the Year .
But while each winner deservedly received heartfelt applause , it was about every nominee and finalist , too , on a night when the region ’ s female business stars shone as brightly as ever .
Tees Business director Dave Allan said : “ After six years , these transformational awards are still gaining momentum , promoting equality , creating female role models , breaking down barriers and inspiring the next generation of businesswomen .
“ Our thanks to all our sponsors , especially to Zoe Lewis and her Middlesbrough College team who have backed the awards from the start back in 2018 .
“ Slowly but surely , they are making a real difference , most easily measured in the way our annual poll to reveal the region ’ s top 30 most inspiring business leaders featured only three women back in 2017 compared to 17 in our most recent survey .
“ But we ’ re still at the start of the journey . There ’ s so much more needs to be done and we will absolutely push forward with the Businesswomen Awards to make them ever more impactful and relevant .”
Six years of the Tees Businesswomen Awards in numbers
611 entries
156 unique finalists
55 unique winners
28 | Tees Business