INSPIRATEES
TOP BILLING
Business leader defends his InspiraTees title
A
prominent business leader defended his title as the region’ s most inspiring, winning the InspiraTees trophy for a third time in 10 years.
Bill Scott OBE DL, CEO of Port Clarencebased Wilton Engineering, held off the challenge of tech entrepreneur Imran Anwar in an annual Tees Business poll among around 200 of the region’ s businesspeople.
The top 30 were revealed at an uplifting InspiraTees celebration at Hardwick Hall’ s Lakeside Marquee attended by more than 100 business leaders representing a wide range of sectors.
On behalf of event sponsor Hardwick Festival, Hardwick Hall’ s John Woodliffe and Helen Attley presented framed certificates to each of the top 30 and a trophy to defending champion Bill.
Bill, whose firm is leading on important defence contracts, said of his top-spot placing:“ It feels surreal, to be honest. Thank you to anyone who voted for me – I just do what I do on a daily basis. I certainly don’ t look for any awards.
“ To be a good leader, I think you need to be open and honest – that’ s the key thing. Work hard and things will come – cream floats to the top.
“ But what I enjoy doing most is helping other people. I love going to schools and working with kids, for example.”
And referencing that Ministry of Defence work, he added:“ You’ re going to see some real growth – not just for our company but advantages and opportunities for Teesside in general.”
For a second successive year, 17 of the top 30 were women, with reigning Tees Businesswoman of the Year Danielle Croce – commercial director of health & safety tech firm Intasite – the highest placed woman in fifth, and Tees Components MD Sharon Lane, the first Tees Businesswoman of the Year Claire Preston and Moonrise 24hr Recruitment MD Jessica Gwaringa also in the top 10.
For both Danielle and Jessica, it was their first time in the InspiraTees top 30.
Former poll-toppers Steve Gibson OBE and Frans Caljé OBE were also in the top 10, along with thirdplaced AV Dawson chairman Gary Dawson and Cleveland Cable Company MD Alastair Powell.
Tees Business director Martin Walker, who hosted the event with business partner Dave Allan, said:“ The InspiraTees celebration was, as always, a truly uplifting event, shining a spotlight on those who inspire their peers for a variety of reasons, whether that’ s sustained success, fighting against the odds, charitable giving or leadership with purpose.
“ Thank you to Hardwick Live for partnering with us to deliver the event and congratulations to all of the top 30 who have each caught the eyes and ears of their business peers.
“ We received votes for more than 150 different business leaders, while the power and influence of the Tees Businesswomen Awards was in evidence with women again outnumbering their male counterparts in the top 30.”
Chatting business – top-placed female InspiraTees recipient Danielle Croce chats with fellow guests.
Question time – Tees Business director Dave Allan chats with InspiraTees recipient Tania Cooper MBE.
Making a point – watched by Helen and John of sponsors Hardwick Festival, Zoe Lewis enjoys a joke after receiving Sharon Lane’ s award on her behalf.
INSPIRATEES WINNERS’ ROLLCALL
2016 Steve Gibson OBE 2017 Bill Scott 2018 Ben Houchen 2019 Ben Houchen 2020 Ben Houchen 2021 Professor Jane Turner OBE DL 2022 Frans Caljé OBE 2023 Catherine Devereux 2024 Bill Scott OBE DL 2025 Bill Scott OBE DL
Scan the QR code to see more images from the InspiraTees 2025 networking and presentations.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 17