SPONSORED BY OUTRANK
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
FINALIST
JOHN R AGAR( IT SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT)
Trailblazing John’ s lifetime of dedication has made a profound impact on the Teesside community and the IT sector. His pioneering work in creating innovative IT solutions has transformed education for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities, improving the quality of life and learning for hundreds at Beaumont Hill School.
Passionate about inclusivity, John has actively encouraged women to pursue careers in IT, challenging norms in a male-dominated industry. His unwavering commitment to internet safety in schools, through contributions to the Internet Watch Foundation, has raised standards for broadband and online protection. And beyond business, John’ s support for the England Kettlebell Youth Team has helped young athletes compete internationally.
Outrank sales director Helen Staples handed the Lifetime Achievement Award to Paul Griffiths MBE, founder of Industrial & Marine Hydraulics( IMH).
WINNER
PAUL GRIFFITHS MBE( IMH)
Memories of his apprenticeship in 1965 still help drive Paul Griffiths MBE on to do the best for the young people his company takes on.
Paul founded leading hydraulic engineering firm IMH in 1983 and, 42 years later, he’ s still involved as non-executive director and training the next generation of talent while son James runs the business as MD.
Paul’ s passion and dedication made him a deserved winner of the Tees Business Awards Lifetime Achievement category – even though he had to overcome the considerable talents of IT Systems and Support’ s John R Agar and Malcolm Knott of ITS to do so.
But after receiving the award from Helen Staples, sales director of category sponsor Outrank, the ever-humble Paul was typically keen to heap praise on others rather than himself.
He said:“ I’ m absolutely gobsmacked to get this – I really didn’ t think it would come my way. I was amazed to be nominated. When I saw the presentations of the other two guys, I thought they were immense.
“ And while I’ ve had many highlights in my career, we’ ve always put other people, and our employees, first – and our employees have paid us back.”
Recalling his 1965 Dorman Long apprenticeship, Paul – awarded the MBE in 2019 for services to engineering skills and apprenticeships – said it was“ amazing training – and I got it for free!”
And even at 75, he says he still enjoys training the current crop of IMH youngsters.
He said:“ We’ ve always trained apprentices in the traditional way. We’ re not a large company so we can’ t train lots of them but each one we train, we give them our best.”
Reflecting on the changing face of business, Paul said:“ It’ s moved on massively since I started 42 years ago. Then it was just me, self-employed, and the rules and regulations were much simpler. Now we have to employ better, bigger accountants than I ever needed. Health and safety is massive, too, which is a good thing.
“ So, it’ s changed hugely and the management of the company has evolved – it’ s gone to younger hands who’ ve grasped it immediately.”
FINALIST MALCOLM KNOTT( ITS)
The founder of Industrial Technology Systems( ITS), Malcolm has made an indelible mark on Teesside’ s business and community landscape over his 50-year career.
Starting at ICI in 1971, Malcolm founded ITS in 1991, growing it into a global leader in industrial automation. His contributions extend beyond business success, however, and his commitment to community is exemplified through his roles as ambassador for Teesside Hospice and CEO Sleepout, addressing healthcare and homelessness issues.
He actively supports local sports and as a mentor and advocate for apprenticeships, he fosters the next generation of talent. And even after his retirement as CEO in October 2024, Malcolm continues to add value as a senior consultant to the ITS board and other companies.
SPONSOR’ S REFLECTIONS:
Outrank sales director Helen Staples:“ Sponsoring this award is a good fit for Outrank because we’ re a local company that wants to support local people. The quality of the shortlist was fantastic and Paul has done amazingly. I love that he’ s so humble – he’ s left the business but is still involved – a lovely guy.”
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