AWARDS 2023
‘ Feel-good ’ awards event inspires startups
That winning feeling – James Lees of Blend enjoys the moment after being crowned Best New Entrepreneur .
A trailblazing bank and a lighting and testing firm with an inspiring story at its heart were among the big winners at the Best New Tees Business Awards 2023 .
On a night of celebration at the Kirkleatham Walled Garden Pavilion , Middlesbrough-based GB Bank emerged with the coveted Best New Business title .
And there was double joy for Steve Southern , of Southern Asset Management , with his firm winning the Best New Services Business prize and Steve himself clinching the Standout Achievement award .
Ten awards were handed out in a ceremony full of excitement , drama , tension and triumph .
Organised by Tees Business in association with keynote sponsor Additional Lengths and hosted by radio presenter Gary Philipson , it was a night that saw around 270 people enjoy a three-course meal and a keynote speech from Racz Group founder Mike Racz before the drama of the third Best New Business Awards began to unfold .
Winning two of the night ’ s 10 awards was Stockton-based Southern Asset Management , which specialises in structural NDT testing and asset management of lighting columns , masts , signs and structures .
But behind the business success lies a story of bravery and determination , with founder Steve Southern openly talking of the mental health struggles and dark times he had to endure before tasting success with his business .
It was a great night , too , for GB Bank , which clinched the blue riband Best New Business title . The first major bank to be headquartered in Middlesbrough , it aims to be a “ force for good ” in the world of property development – and now it ’ s an award-winner .
The night also saw a collection in aid of Teesside Hospice , of which Tees Business is a corporate partner . In all , £ 2,000 was raised .
Bank on us – Stephen Lancaster celebrates with GB Bank ’ s Best New Business trophy .
Director Debbie Coulson revealed in a speech that the funds would help towards the hospice ’ s daily running costs of £ 6,000 .
Tees Business director Martin Walker said : “ The awards were a fantastic feel-good event , full of joy and celebration by people who ’ ve been brave and ambitious enough to launch their own businesses in what we all know are challenging economic times .
“ Our sincere thanks to Victoria Lynch and her Additional Lengths team for their support as our headline partners , but also to all our sponsors , without whom this celebration would not have been possible .
“ We also enjoyed two tremendous speeches from both Victoria and keynote speaker Mike Racz , full of invaluable and insightful advice for young entrepreneurs and startups , but also for everyone in business . “ Congratulations not just to the winners but all Entrepreneur – Phoenix 2 Retail ’ s Chris Kelly the finalists , who each have short but inspiring was another big winner at the 2022 Best New business Tees Business stories Awards to tell . We look forward to doing it all again next year .”
The awards in numbers
In just three years of the Best New Tees Business Awards …
256 entries
61 unique finalists
28 unique winners
Call – Debbie Coulson made an impassioned appeal for support for
Teesside Hospice .
Message – Tees Business director
Martin Walker spoke on behalf of the organisers .
Host – The event was hosted by popular radio presenter Gary Philipson .
60 | Tees Business