WINNER : MELISSA
COUTTS
2023
INSPIRING OTHERS
WINNER : MELISSA
COUTTS
( RECRUITRITE )
From humble beginnings to an awardwinning businesswoman – Melissa Coutts says her Tees Businesswomen Awards triumph left her feeling “ overwhelmed ”.
An ecstatic Melissa , managing director of Darlington-based recruitment firm Recruitrite , said : “ It ’ s amazing . I feel humbled and overwhelmed !”
But while the award was for her , Melissa also gave credit to her team , saying : “ For me , it ’ s never about an individual effort – it ’ s about a whole team effort and it takes everybody doing their own individual roles within an organisation to achieve great things .”
But it ’ s not been an easy ride , with Melissa acknowledging her tumultuous journey to get to where she is now . She said : “ I ’ ve come from very humble beginnings , so I ’ ve not had any privilege or a head start .
“ I ’ ve had a turbulent life , but to be here – it ’ s amazing really .
“ There ’ s been lots of help along the way , and because I ’ ve had help along the way , I think I should give help to others . It makes me so happy to see other people achieve their potential .”
It ’ s this journey that has helped establish Melissa as an inspiration for others across the Teesside business community .
And she certainly planned on celebrating her success , along with the rest of the Recruitrite team , who were also in attendance on the big night .
Speaking about the importance of events such as the Tees Businesswomen Awards , Melissa added : “ I think it ’ s really important for us to come together to celebrate success and to bring other people forward with us , supporting them on their own journeys .
“ It ’ s down to us who ’ ve achieved a certain level of success to carry that forward and bring other people along with us for the ride
“ If I can do it , anybody can do it .”
RACHEL GRAY
( MIDDLESBROUGH COLLEGE )
The college ’ s assistant principal for adult and community learning , Rachel , who was brought up in east Middlesbrough , helps lead a £ 6m turnover faculty serving the most disadvantaged in our community , including long-term unemployed people , adults with low basic skills and asylum seekers .
Taking time to speak to and support hundreds of students each year to raise their confidence and aspirations , her once small department now fills a five-floor adult training centre and includes food banks , clothing and toy donation centres .
Sponsored by PD Ports
Humbled – Recruitrite MD Melissa Coutts , right , received the Inspiring Others trophy from Emma Dickinson , group learning and development manager , PD Ports .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
PAULA WILLOUGHBY
( NVQA )
A business management consultant for NVQA , Paula has worked in the industry , providing essential business services for management systems , for more than 20 years .
But for many who meet her , she ’ s the embodiment of women supporting women – a passionate and pioneering leader whose resilience , philanthropy and dedication to empowering other women has not only transformed lives in our community but also set an inspiring example to future generations .
FINALIST MICHAELA REANEY ( OPPORTUNITY GLOBAL )
The co-founder of Opportunity Global , Michaela has transformed the lives of thousands by developing human skills and driving behavioural change . Her global experience , serving corporates such as Rio Tinto and Amazon , coupled with her work with underserved communities , has brought lifelong learning opportunities to those far from the job market .
Driven by an unwavering commitment to empowering women , she also passionately inspires and supports females through mentoring programmes , TEDWomen collaborations and TEDx events .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Emma Dickinson , PD Ports ’ group learning and development manager , said : “ A truly uplifting night , with so many amazing achievements and stories . As category sponsor for Inspiring Others , we felt each candidate would be a strong and worthy winner , but Melissa Coutts is a fantastic example of a woman working to support and inspire others to be their best .”