CELEBRATION
Support – the Tees Business team includes highly experienced freelance writers , photographers and a graphic designer , with more than 300 years of media experience between them . PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
We are immensely grateful for that support and those who have supported us in any way throughout the last 10 years .
Big little brand – the Tees Business full-time team of ( from left ) director Dave Allan , admin apprentices Shane Hopson and Millie Smith , sales director Chris Garbutt and director Martin Walker . PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
“ One of our main drivers is quality control ,” Martin said . “ Whether it ’ s for the magazine , or a press release for the website , if it is poorly written or comes with a poor photograph , we won ’ t publish .
“ That ’ s why we employ a team of local professional freelance photographers and writers to help produce our sponsored content . We used to do it all on our own in the beginning .”
Tees Business is more than just a magazine . It ’ s developed into a platform for the Teesside business community to network and shine .
Monthly Tees Business LIVE events and a series of annual awards – including the prestigious Tees Business Awards , Tees Businesswomen Awards and Tees Tech Awards – have created a strong and supportive network .
Dave said : “ The Tees Business name is not only known by practically every person in business in the region , but it has also helped forge a super-supportive business community .
“ We are also incredibly proud of the impact of the Tees Businesswomen Awards , now in its eighth year , and transforming the profile of businesswomen in the region by supporting the Power of Women campaign .
“ I strongly believe there is a stronger community for women in business here than anywhere else .”
The pair ’ s commitment to Teesside is evident , further highlighted by £ 45,000 raised for a number of charities over the years from their business awards events .
They also led on a Digital Poverty campaign during the Covid lockdown that raised £ 100,000 and a CEO Sleepout at Preston Park that raised £ 40,000 for the homeless charity restaurant Fork in the Road in 2016 .
“ Teesside is in our blood ,” Dave said . “ Everything we do is driven by a passion for Teesside .
“ We are Boro fans , both live in Middlesbrough , our offices are in Middlesbrough , we love the people in the region and we want to see the area do well .”
And that outlook is reflected in the slogans regularly highlighted on social media , at events and in the pages of Tees Business : ‘ Talking up Teesside ’, ‘ The voice of business in the region ’ and ‘ Always positive , always business , always Tees ’.
Despite being a small team of just five staff , supported by a strong group of freelancers , Tees Business ’ influence has grown .
“ We ’ re a small business but a hugely well-known brand in the region – the biggest little brand on Teesside , I always say ,” said Dave .
Martin added : “ I ’ m incredibly proud . The reach of Tees Business goes beyond any other brand of our size .”
But Tees Business would have been nothing without those who have supported it , with more than 700 businesses having featured in the magazine over the last decade .
“ We are immensely grateful for that support and those who have supported us in any way throughout the last 10 years ,” Martin said .
And there are no plans for that journey , from two PR professionals with just an “ idea ” that became the strongest voice of Teesside business , to end any time soon .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 13