BEST NEW BUSINESS
SPONSORED BY ADDITIONAL LENGTHS
FINALIST
After Hours Social
Laura McKeown quit her marketing manager role last year to go freelance – and thriving After Hours Social is the result .
A social media marketing agency that focuses on small-to-medium-sized businesses , it recently helped a client , Total Resin Solutions , work with boxing champ Tyson Fury to get national coverage about a home renovation – just one example of AHS supporting a range of businesses with content creation and social media requirements .
Trailblazers – Passive Fire Protection directors Jonathan Hoole and Joe Wattis receive the Best New Business trophy from Additional Lengths MD Victoria Lynch .
WINNER
PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION
With 13 years ’ experience as firefighters between them , Jonathan Hoole and Joe Wattis have tackled almost every type of blaze there is .
Armed with that knowledge , they set up a firm that delivers a comprehensive range of fire protection services to businesses and homes across the North- East .
And now that firm is an award-winner , having pipped four other amazing fledgling companies to the Best New Business title .
And for Jonathan and Joe , it ’ s an endorsement of an idea dreamed up in the backs of fire engines as they travelled to jobs .
Jonathan said : “ With our background , we knew what could happen if the correct things weren ’ t in place .
“ Something can start off quite innocuously – like someone falling asleep with a cigarette in their hand or a portable heater getting knocked over . But before you know it , the house or business has been burned down , when the fire could have been contained to that room if they had the proper door or partition in place .”
Joe , 33 , added : “ We used to see it day in , day out . We ’ d go to premises where there was a fire in the corner and before you know it , the whole building was up . But because we know the aspect of the spreading of fire in a property , we knew there was a gap in the market in that sector .”
Both admit it was a risk – and a wrench – to leave the fire service . Joe said : “ When people say being a firefighter ’ s the best job in the world , they ’ re right because we ’ ve been there , worn the T-shirt – we went to work every day loving it .”
Jonathan , 31 , agreed , saying : “ You work with great people and have a purpose going to work , but sometimes in life you ’ ve got to try things .”
And it ’ s certainly paid off , with the company offering a comprehensive package of fire protection services .
SPONSOR ’ S REFLECTIONS :
Victoria Lynch , founder and MD , Additional Lengths : It ’ s fantastic to recognise all the great new businesses in the area . It is a little bit of recognition for facing the daily challenges . It ’ s also about meeting other like-minded people and getting to network with people who are walking the same miles in their shoes , which is really important .
There are some phenomenal businesses in the area – there ’ s a lot of emerging talent that can become the brand on the map that ’ s recognisable and achievable .
160 | Tees Business
FINALIST
Embeddable
Founded in May 2023 by Peter Calvert , Embeddable is a dynamic tech consultancy and software development firm providing end-to-end solutions from strategy to implementation .
A double winner at the Tees Tech Awards , Middlesbrough-based Embeddable has guided clients into prestigious incubators and accelerators . Notable successes include the development of AI-powered risk assessment technology and support for new entrepreneurs through mentoring and partnerships .
FINALIST
Razzamataz Theatre Schools Stockton
Stockton-based Razzamataz runs high-quality performing arts classes for youngsters aged two to 18 . As well as teaching key performing arts skills , Razzamataz also helps develop social and communication skills and supports physical and mental health . Principal Amber Gibney , who this month presents at the Global Education Summit in Dubai , launched the business in September 2022 .
It now has a nine-strong team running more than 19 hours of weekly classes for around 200 young people .
FINALIST
Southern Asset Management
Specialising in non-destructive testing ( NDT ) and asset management services , SAM – led by Steve Southern – has rapidly grown its presence in Teesside and beyond .
With a focus on innovation , and with highprofile clients including Teesside International Airport and multiple county councils , SAM prides itself on its “ people before profit ” philosophy , placing the welfare and development of its team and local community at its heart .