Sponsored by Outrank
Turnover
Large Business ( over £ 10m turnover )
MD Jessica Gwaringa ( left ) received the category award on behalf of all at Moonrise 24hr Recruitment from Francesca Kosina , operations director at category sponsor Outrank .
WINNER
MOONRISE 24HR RECRUITMENT
Stockton Caring is its calling – and the winner of the VelociTees Turnover - Large Business prize is about to add another string to its bow .
Moonrise 24hr Recruitment was started in 2014 by experienced registered nurse Jessica Gwaringa to provide high-quality domiciliary care and agency staffing across the North-East .
Since then , it has grown impressively to occupy its own premises on Stockton ’ s Preston Farm business park , from where it coordinates more than 340 care and nursing professionals across the UK .
With services including domiciliary care , supported living , children ’ s services and agency cover for the private and public sectors and rated “ Good ” by the Care Quality Commission , Moonrise has picked up a clutch of awards too – including the coveted Business of the Year title at the Tees Businesswomen Awards 2024 .
And now it ’ s won the VelociTees Turnover – Large Business trophy for 2025 , sponsored by Outrank , thanks to a year that saw its turnover leap by a stunning 118 % - from £ 8.33m to £ 18.27m .
It ’ s a remarkable success story and after collecting the award , Jessica revealed Moonrise has been given planning permission to open two children ’ s homes in Stockton – one four-bed , the other three – with another two applications also submitted .
In addition , Moonrise , is also applying for planning permission for a supported living flat in Middlesbrough .
Jessica explained : “ We have seen quite a lot of underprivileged kids out there who don ’ t have somewhere they can call home . With us already working with the local authorities , we ’ ve seen it ’ s something we can do and I ’ m glad the local authority has seen we can meet the need .
“ It ’ s all about care – and it ’ s all about seeing where the need is in care . We have seen the need when we were asked to support children in homes or in a hotel setting where there ’ s no kitchen and it ’ s just a bedroom . That individual is stuck in a hotel or bed and breakfast for a month – after we saw that , we thought it was a good idea to set up a children ’ s home because there is a gap in provision .”
FINALIST
CPD BODIES
Stockton
One of the country ’ s leading builders and repairers of commercial vehicle bodies , CPD Bodies offers Luton , tipper , dropside and specialist vehicles on a national scale .
A fast-paced , flexible and high-output facility , based on Stockton ’ s Bowesfield Lane , its in-house engineering and design processes mean it can control and meet the ever-changing compliance demands of vehicle manufacturers and standards and legal compliance needs , with its entire team trained and monitored to the highest standards .
Its vehicles are specifically built to withstand the rigours of daily use , meaning customers get full value for their investment .
FINALIST
HARRISON PACKAGING
Thornaby
Based on the Teesside Industrial Estate , Thornaby , Harrison Packaging delivers sustainable printed carton packaging to some of the UK ’ s leading brands , including Yorkshire Tea firm Taylors of Harrogate .
With an estimated 75 % of buying decisions made by shoppers in front of the shelf , packaging is the most cost-effective way of influencing customer purchases .
And since 1882 , when it was established by commercial printer Sir John Harrison , Harrison Packaging – the UK ’ s oldest independent carton manufacturer – has excelled in it , creating innovative shapes and packages that maximise brand recognition in sectors ranging from beauty and healthcare to food and beverages .
SPONSOR MESSAGE
Francesca Kosina , operations director at category sponsor Outrank , said : “ We were delighted to be part of VelociTees 2025 , celebrating the incredible businesses that keep Teesside moving forward . Sponsoring the Turnover – Large Business category was our way of backing ambition and growth , something we live and breathe at Outrank . Congratulations to the finalists and winners – your hard work , drive and success deserve the spotlight !”
148 | Tees Business