WINNER :
Sponsored by Punch Robson Solicitors
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
WINNER :
MOONRISE 24HR RECRUITMENT
The founder of this year ’ s Business of the Year sums up her approach with one word : passion .
Ten years ago , Jessica Gwaringa set up Moonrise 24hr Recruitment to provide high-quality NHS and private healthcare staff to clients across the country .
Since then , Jessica – who was born in Zimbabwe but is an adopted Teessider – has overseen remarkable growth with husband John and their 11-strong HQ team .
The firm now has around 340 carers working in community settings across the country , has won several awards , was rated “ good ” by the Care Quality Commission and is opening an office in Scotland , to go with its impressive Moonrise House HQ on Stockton ’ s Preston Farm estate .
With her own background in nursing , Jessica knows what ’ s required to deliver a first-class care service .
But without passion , she says , it just wouldn ’ t work .
She says : “ Passion for what we do at Moonrise is the most important thing . I ’ m very determined and there ’ s a lot that ’ s going to be happening in the next few years , so watch this space .”
Moonrise was voted winner by a panel of sponsors ahead of home care services specialist Home Instead Cleveland and art business Lucy Pittaway Ltd .
After winning the title against such formidable opposition , Jessica admits she was “ speechless – a bit confused , to be honest !”
She said : “ Being among the nominations is an honour anyway so I wasn ’ t really expecting to go home with a trophy – but it ’ s happened !
“ But this is not for me , it ’ s for the whole team – the Moonrise family . I ’ ve got a great team behind me . We call ourselves family – we all work together .
“ And we have a lot of things we ’ re looking to do – we ’ re setting up a supported living service , for example .”
And the key to continued success ? “ Being caring , determined and passionate – I think that has maybe helped win us this award .”
Award – Punch Robson Solicitors managing partner Elaine McLaine-Wood presented the Business of the Year trophy to Moonrise MD Jessica Gwaringa .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
Home Instead Cleveland
With more than 150 employees , Home Instead Cleveland provides highquality home care services in Teesside , including personal care , companionship , home help , night and daycare , live-in care and specialised care .
Led by directors Gavin Morrigan and Michelle Fairless , together with registered care manager Kate Smith , the team emphasises compassionate , personalised care to ensure client safety and comfort , supporting independence and quality of life at home .
With several national and local awards to its name , and with an “ outstanding ” CQC rating , it promotes women to leadership , offers mentorship and fosters a supportive culture that has significantly impacted women within and outside the business .
A WORD FROM THE SPONSOR
Lucy Pittaway Ltd
Lucy Pittaway Ltd is the eponymous business of its founder and MD , an award-winning Teesside artist who turned her passion for art into a full-time business 12 years ago .
It now operates a hugely successful online retail business offering artwork and homewares , along with seven galleries across the north , and with a combined annual turnover of more than £ 3.9m . With one of its prominent galleries in Yarm , it currently has 57 employees , with two new galleries set to open soon .
Lucy – daughter of Boro legend Willie Maddren – continues to combine a passion to bring art to the high street with a desire to benefit the communities her firm is proud to serve .
Elaine McLaine-Wood , managing partner , Punch Robson Solicitors It ’ s a fabulous category – and there ’ s so much variety this year , with different businesses and backgrounds . I just love the Businesswomen Awards event – it ’ s amazing and a real passion of mine . It ’ s very much about championing what women are about and getting people to just want it more , grow and develop .
146 | Tees Business