COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
SPONSORED BY SOVEREIGN SUPPLY CHAIN SERVICES
FINALIST
SimFly Aviation Training
Philanthropy – Ryan Southern receives the Community Champions trophy for Southern Asset Management , presented by Kris Marsay of Sovereign Supply Chain Services .
WINNER
SOUTHERN ASSET MANAGEMENT
Prioritising the wellbeing of its workforce and the community continues to drive a Tees-based company . And just over two years after setting up , Southern Asset Management ’ s “ people over profit ” approach has earned it a third Best New Tees Business award .
Last year , the structural NDT testing services firm bagged a brace of titles – Best New Services Business and Standout Achievement .
This time around , Southern Asset Management ( SAM ) clinched the Best New Community Champions prize for its philanthropic approach to the community it works in .
And while illness meant CEO and founder Steve Southern couldn ’ t pick up the award from Kris Marsay of category sponsor Sovereign Supply Chain Services , he sent along a very able deputy – his son Ryan , who ’ s also the firm ’ s project director .
And a delighted Ryan said his dad would have been very proud that his firm ’ s approach had been recognised .
He said : “ It ’ s amazing news . My dad does a lot , like we all do , to help charities and things like that , so it ’ s nice to get an award like this .”
CEO Steve has been open about his previous mental health struggles . Indeed , at the 2023 Best New Tees Business Awards , he paid tribute to his close friends and family for keeping him going “ when the dark days were there ”.
And that approach says Ryan , is typical of his dad . He said : “ Just before the business started , my dad had a few mental health issues . I think that ’ s what makes him want to do what he can for other people .
“ For example , we just did a big shop at a Stockton toy store to give kids gifts at Christmas .
“ Me , Dad , my brother and sister all just did the Teesside to St Tropez rally for Teesside Hospice – about £ 30,000 was raised in total .”
The brainchild of Stuart Ellerton , SimFly is a leading provider of high-quality , accessible flight simulation and training for pilots , cabin crew and airport staff .
Founded to address the region ’ s lack of aviation training opportunities , SimFly offers cutting-edge programmes for aspiring pilots and aviation enthusiasts and prides itself on its innovative use of advanced flight simulators , personalised instruction and an ongoing commitment to community engagement .
And by partnering with schools and hosting aviation events , SimFly – which is now focused on expanding its services – actively supports educational initiatives and fosters interest in aviation careers .
FINALIST
AM Training
AM Training is passionate about helping unemployed people back into the workplace , particularly those with significant barriers to employment such as neurodivergence , disabilities and criminal or addiction histories .
Within three months of trading , through its innovative employability training programmes , it had placed more than 60 people into jobs .
And by forging partnerships with employers , fostering confidence among learners and positively impacting the local economy , more than 150 people have now gained employment across various sectors , with an impressive 83 % employment rate among course participants . The company also supports various charitable initiatives .
SPONSOR ’ S REFLECTIONS :
Kris Marsay , co-director and founder , Sovereign Supply Chain Services : Supporting local communities and charities is very important to us as a business . We ’ re on a growth trajectory at the moment , although we ’ re only four-and-a-half years old – we all have a responsibility to give back to our communities and support it where we can .
The finalists were all fantastic , but the winners do such a lot – corporate sponsorship , personal sponsorship with individuals and not just donating money but donating time and expertise , which is something that really stands out for us .
166 | Tees Business