SPONSORED BY PUNCH ROBSON SOLICITORS
TEES BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
FINALIST
JASON PRITCHARD ( FITFACTORY TECHNOLOGY )
Champion – Bob Makin received the Tees Business Leader award from Elaine McLaine-Wood of category sponsor Punch Robson Solicitors .
WINNER
BOB MAKIN ( BEHAVIOUR INTERACTIVE )
A “ genuinely shocked ” Bob Makin says being named Tees Business Leader of the Year is another example of how tech is helping transform the Tees business landscape .
The 2023 Tees Tech Ambassador was a popular winner of the main individual prize at the Tees Business Awards – the annual celebration of Teesside ’ s business brilliance .
His success tops a year in which the Tees games company he co-founded , SockMonkey Studios , was acquired by Canadian giant Behaviour Interactive and Bob became its UK studios general manager .
And he admitted that to get a Tees Business Award , rather than one confined to the tech sector , “ feels different ”.
He explained : “ The heritage of Teesside is your engineering , your chemical works , your steelworks , that ’ s the history here .
“ The fact tech is being brought to the forefront and computer games are here , I do genuinely feel the tide is turning . And the fact I ’ ve won this – I ’ m genuinely gobsmacked .
“ The last year has been like the peak of a rollercoaster . Actually , rollercoaster ’ s the wrong word because that sounds like there ’ ve been ups and downs , but it ’ s just been a wild ride . Everything has been 100mph – it ’ s been just crazy , a whole new world .
“ We ’ ve brought this triple-A gaming industry to Teesside and all that comes along with it – and when you look at the games we ’ ve worked on like Silent Hill and Mortal Kombat , and the ones we ’ re going to announce in the next year or two that we ’ re working on , which are absolutely insane and people are going to lose their minds . It ’ s crazy .”
SPONSOR ’ S REFLECTIONS :
Elaine McLaine-Wood , managing partner , Punch Robson Solicitors “ As passionate Teessiders ourselves , Punch Robson Solicitors are massive advocates of business brilliance , innovation and ambition across our region . So we couldn ’ t be prouder to sponsor the Tees Business Leader of the Year category at these prestigious awards . All three finalists – Bob , Jessica and Jason – are achieving extraordinary things , but huge congratulations to Bob on his latest success .”
The CEO of software specialist Fitfactory Technology – the 2023 Company of the Year at the Tees Tech Awards – Jason has demonstrated exemplary leadership , driving the company to unprecedented success .
In 2023 , he adeptly navigated an acquisition by Everfield , ensuring a seamless transition while achieving remarkable financial growth . Under his leadership , Fitfactory ’ s headcount expanded , and its innovative MES app garnered recognition as MakeUK ’ s 2023 Innovation of the Year .
His commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in 2023 Fitfactory ’ s employee turnover – zero ! Beyond the company , Jason contributes significantly to the manufacturing sector in the Tees Valley and beyond , serving on advisory boards and actively promoting regional businesses .
FINALIST
JESSICA GWARINGA ( MOONRISE 24HR RECRUITMENT )
Zimbabwe-born Jessica founded healthcare open recruitment agency Moonrise in 2014 . Since then , this highly qualified and experienced mental health nurse and care sector manager has developed the firm into a trusted provider of high-quality care and support .
Named the region ’ s BME Business Person for 2023 , Jessica , from the beginning , has worked tirelessly , with empathy , insight and forward vision , to ensure Moonrise provides the best quality of care .
From working in the office to covering nursing shifts and even driving staff to work , she motivates the whole team – the “ Moonrise family ” – and in 2023 , she also oversaw the move into a superb new office , complete with training facilities , at Falcon Court , on Stockton ’ s Preston Farm Industrial Estate .
2023 winner : Rich Himsworth ( Salesfire )
The voice of business in the Tees region | 133