SPONSORED BY PUNCH ROBSON SOLICITORS
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Punch Robson Solicitors senior partner John Wilkin( right) presented the Business Leader of the Year award to Alt Labs CEO Imran Anwar.
WINNER
IMRAN ANWAR( ALT LABS)
The 2025 Business Leader of the Year, Imran Anwar, says being direct with his team – and them with him – has helped shape his leadership style.
And after receiving his award, the CEO of Middlesbrough-based digital innovation agency Alt Labs said he believes the Tees Valley is“ probably the best place at the moment to run a business.”
The popular boss pipped Victoria Lynch of Additional Lengths and INDUSTRO Engineering Group’ s John Betts to clinch the coveted title at the third annual Tees Business Awards.
He said:“ I’ m shocked. Just to get shortlisted for such a big category is phenomenal – to be told you’ re the Tees Business Leader of the Year, when you look at the amount of amazing leaders we have in the Tees Valley, is truly humbling,
“ A massive‘ thank you’ to my peers and mentors who push and drive me to help shape me to be a better leader within my organisation. And I’ ve got an amazing team – we’ ve spent time building what a senior team around me needs to look like that enables me to do the wacky, wonderful innovation and blue-sky thinking while they crack on and deliver what the business requires.”
When asked what makes a good leader, and what type of leader he thinks he is, Imran said:“ I’ m very honest with my feedback and very direct. By being direct with my team, they know what I’ m expecting, and I expect the same from them – their honesty and feedback. From that, I can make the changes I need to make as a leader myself.
“ You also need to be resilient, innovative and an out-of-the-box thinker – especially when other factors and economic challenges outside your control can consistently impact your business. You’ ve got to show you’ re willing to adapt and change business course.”
And in a theme reflected during the event, Imran sang the praises of the Tees Valley when it comes to running a business – even in such a tough economic climate.
He said:“ Despite everything that’ s been going on, the economy is still going, right? People are still buying and businesses are still focusing – we’ ve realised that as a wider business global community, we had the 2008 market crash to deal with, we’ ve had Covid – businesses are a lot more resilient now and more adaptable to change.”
FINALIST
JOHN BETTS( INDUSTRO ENGINEERING GROUP)
After redundancy from a project manager position, John bounced back to establish INDUSTRO Engineering Group eight years ago – a business that now employs 53 staff across three sites and has a £ 10m turnover.
His determination, drive and commitment to quality are second to none and his ethos of building fantastic relationships with staff and customers is the cornerstone of the success of the business, which recently moved into a new 12,500 sq ft fabrication facility.
A supporter of apprenticeships – INDUSTRO currently has 10 – John believes in equality, fairness and constantly helping employees to grow and develop. He also helps the community in various ways – from sponsoring sports teams and individuals to supporting several charities and groups.
FINALIST
VICTORIA LYNCH( ADDITIONAL LENGTHS)
Passionate about haircare from an early age, Victoria started her business from a room in her parent’ s house but has since guided it to become a UK-leading hair extension manufacturer and retailer, distributing hair extensions and related products worldwide. Responsible for strategic and business planning and product development, as well as being the brand creator of Remi Cachet hair extension methods and aftercare ranges, Victoria is responsible for all aspects of running the business, which has a flagship store and salon in Stockton’ s Wellington Square.
But with a keenness to pass on her experience and encourage others, she has also become a role model and mentor – informing and inspiring with her knowledge, skills and experience.
SPONSOR’ S REFLECTIONS:
John Wilkin, senior partner, Punch Robson Solicitors:“ To be a good leader, you’ ve got to have drive and the people on the shortlist have it – they have the drive and commitment that only one per cent of the average population has – that’ s what makes them stand out from the crowd. And this is a great event – we’ ve been supporting it for many years and we’ ll continue to do so.”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 113