WINNER: RACHEL BURKE
TEES BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Sponsored and shortlisted by Middlesbrough College
WINNER: RACHEL BURKE
( TRACERCO)
The newly crowned Tees Businesswoman of the Year said receiving the award shows young girls on Teesside that“ there are no limitations”.
Rachel Burke, of Billingham-based industrial technology expert Tracerco, was a popular winner of one of the awards’ blue riband categories.
With 18 nominations received, competition was fierce to follow previous winners Claire Preston, Sharon Lane, Jane Armitage, Chloë Clover, Kimberley Turner, Cathi Harrison and Danielle Croce.
And Rachel – who as Tracerco’ s director of compliance and risk has overseen six consecutive years without a safety incident – was keen to emphasise the message her success sent out.
She said:“ This is for all the girls on Teesside who don’ t know what the future looks like – well, this is what the future can look like.”
Rachel told Tees Business how she grew up in Portman Street in central Middlesbrough, with her mam, dad, brother and sister:“ A really committed, safe family network who always championed me as a child – I was always made to believe I could do anything I wanted to do.”
On leaving school“ with just a few GCSEs – I wasn’ t very academic” – 16-year-old Rachel held down three jobs“ because there wasn’ t a lot of money at home and I wanted more”.
She said:“ I’ ve always been driven. I don’ t say ambitious because that suggests there’ s a plan – I didn’ t have a plan. I just knew I wanted to do something more and be better.”
Her career developed, says Rachel, partially because she doesn’ t believe in“ imposter syndrome”. She explained:“ I’ ve always believed that if someone’ s got to do that job, why not me?”
And the“ no limitations” message is something she’ s keen to get out to girls and young women on Teesside – including her two daughters.
She said:“ Don’ t let anybody tell you that you can’ t do it. And don’ t wait for an opportunity – go looking for it. There really are no limits – aim high and believe in yourself because you can achieve anything.”
Winner – Rachel Burke, right, of Tracerco, with Zoe Lewis CBE, principal and CEO of category sponsor Middlesbrough College Group.
FINALIST: FINALIST:
Katrina McManus
( Fleet Factors)
Financial director Katrina joined Fleet Factors as a YTS trainee in 1989 and is proactive in ensuring as many people as possible benefit from the success she and the company have achieved. The epitome of a strong female leader, she is also responsible for IT functionality and has helped guide the firm to an annual turnover of almost £ 78m.
FINALIST: FINALIST:
Francesca Kosina
( Outrank)
Under Fran’ s leadership, Middlesbrough-based digital agency Outrank has doubled in size and turnover in the past 12 months, netting 16 awards along the way. A survivor of domestic abuse, Fran uses her lived experience to create safe, inclusive workplaces and is an advocate for supporting local causes – a true role model for women in business.
Jessica Gwaringa
( Moonrise 24hr Recruitment)
Founder and MD of healthcare firm Moonrise, Jessica leads with a clear strategic vision, overseeing operations, driving growth and ensuring services meet the evolving needs of vulnerable communities. A vocal advocate for women in business, she regularly mentors others and shares her journey to inspire and uplift future leaders.
Kayleigh Shaw
( Elite Energy Eco)
A WORD FROM THE SPONSOR
With a sharp commercial mind and a passion for people, Kayleigh has been pivotal in steering the company through significant growth by combining financial expertise with empathetic leadership, mentoring women across the organisation and championing diversity in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Her resilience, strategic thinking and commitment to inclusion make her a standout businesswoman and role model.
Zoe Lewis, principal and CEO, Middlesbrough College Group: There are five worthy winners on the shortlist. We have a director of a FTSE 250 company, a former YTS trainee, a business founder, a commercial whizz and someone who has got success from adversity – they’ ve all shown that grit, resilience and a growth mindset are all that you need. They all deserve to be here and this award does carry with it a lot of responsibility – you will be asked to do a lot over the next year!
126 | Tees Business