INSPIRATEES
Seventh heaven - Zoe Lewis .
Over the moon - Franx Calje receives his InspiraTees certificate from Moonrise MD Jessica Gwaringa .
4th ( 3rd ) Frans Calje OBE PD Ports Having topped the poll in 2022 in a week that also saw his achievements recognised with an OBE , Dutchman Frans remains the only InspiraTees winner born overseas .
For the past seven years he has been CEO of Middlesbrough-headquartered PD Ports , guardians and statutory harbour authority for the River Tees .
After starting his career in Rotterdam and gaining experience in Europe and the USA , Frans has been instrumental in establishing Teesport as the UK ’ s fifthlargest maritime complex , with a focus on investments to make it the UK ’ s premier seaport and port logistics operator .
Fifth-place finish - Steve Gibson .
5th ( 9th ) Steve Gibson OBE Gibson-O ’ Neill Group The winner of our first Most Inspiring poll back in 2016 , Steve is , of course , best known as the straight-talking and – as long as Boro are winning – hugely popular chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club . Having led Boro to untold highs , he has also remained strong through much tougher times over the past 15 years .
Alongside low-profile business partner Mike O ’ Neill , Boro ’ s chairman since December 1993 is also one half of the Gibson-O ’ Neill Group , which includes the five-star Rockliffe Hall Hotel and strong-performing , under-the-radar Middlesbrough firm Bulkhaul .
MY TOP 3
by Richard Brine ( Elemy ) |
1 . |
Steve Gibson OBE |
2 . |
Bill Scott OBE |
3 . |
Gary Dawson |
Fast riser - Alison McGee ( left ) with Jessica Gwaringa .
6th ( 20th ) Alison McGee Durata Quality director and company secretary of Middlesbrough-based critical power specialists Durata , Alison ’ s star is rising fast . Having made the InspiraTees top 30 for the first time last year , this time she was the fastest riser , leaping 14 places to sixth .
A former Tees Businesswoman of the Year finalist , she is the more public face of a business she runs with husband and MD John McGee . Already sponsors of Middlesbrough Women FC , they also came to the rescue of Thornaby FC earlier this year , with Alison becoming the club ’ s new chairperson .
7th ( 14th ) Zoe Lewis CBE Middlesbrough College Group Principal and chief executive of Middlesbrough College Group for the past 11 years , Saltburn-born Zoe is the group ’ s dynamic force . She drives a commitment to enhancing the region ’ s competitive edge by directly aligning the college ’ s offer to the skills required by employers .
A qualified accountant , the former Middlesbrough College student has managed a turnover of £ 43m plus the education of 15,000 students and apprentices .
Zoe told guests at the InspiraTees event : “ People always talk about the lack of opportunities on Teesside , but things are available and things are changing . It ’ s just the perception .
“ If people are aware of what ’ s available , there ’ s plenty of support around them , so a lot of our work is around helping people to understand what is available .
“ A lot of our students do have dreams . It ’ s about helping them access those ambitions .”
MY TOP 3
by Dom Lusardi ( Digital Thinkers ) |
1 . |
Zoe Lewis CBE |
2 . |
Bill Scott OBE |
3 . |
Bob Cuffe MBE |
“ Have a dream , go for it , never give up , pursue it with all your might and you ’ ll get there .”
MIKE RACZ
22 | Tees Business