WINNER:
Sponsored and shortlisted by Punch Robson Solicitors
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
WINNER:
ELITE ENERGY E C O
It delivers schemes to help keep people warm – and now Elite Energy Eco has the glow of awards success after winning the Business of the Year title.
It’ s recognition for a Thornaby-based business that, in less than three years, has grown from 11 employees to 65, has a 50 % female management team and delivers opportunities for women across all levels of its operations.
And according to recruitment manager Sophie Knox, who picked up the award from Elaine McLaine-Wood of category sponsor Punch Robson Solicitors, more expansion is on the horizon.
She said:“ This is huge – it means so much to our staff, the senior leadership team and our directors. But everyone is so ambitious and we want to keep growing.”
Founded in 2019 by gas engineer Robert Shaw, Elite works with the government to provide retrofitting of eco energy upgrades – insulation, heat pumps, solar panels and the like.
It’ s a values-driven organisation with a clear purpose: to make eco energy accessible to homes around the UK.
It has also created an environment where women are supported, empowered and given the tools to succeed, regardless of the traditional norms in the industry.
And while expansion into private and commercial work is the next step, that government-funded work will remain its“ bread and butter”.
Sophie told Tees Business:“ We work with communities who might not be able to afford these things and build up their energy efficiency and make their homes warmer.
“ At this time of year, you start to think,‘ I’ ll switch the heating on’, but some people don’ t have that option.
“ If we can put a new boiler in someone’ s home, for example, or give them some free loft insulation and make their lives a little bit better, that’ s why we do it. It’ s our bread and butter and will always be a part of us – it means so much to us that we can give that to communities.”
Winner – Elite Energy Eco’ s Sophie Knox, left, picks up the Business of the Year award from Elaine McLaine-Wood, of category sponsor Punch Robson Solicitors.
FINALIST: FINALIST:
Moonrise 24hr Recruitment
Stockton-based Moonrise delivers high-quality, person-centred healthcare across Teesside and beyond. Its services include staffing solutions, domiciliary care, supported living and Ofsted-registered children’ s residential homes for complex needs. It also offers specialised training programmes to upskill staff.
With around 239 employees, mostly women, Moonrise has grown significantly over the past year through service expansion and operational improvements, with its 2023-24 net profit of £ 1.32m reflecting strong financial resilience and strategic reinvestment.
Led by founder and MD Jessica Gwaringa, Moonrise promotes innovation, equality and growth, empowering women internally through leadership opportunities and supporting them in the wider community via training and mentorship programmes.
Outrank
A WORD FROM THE SPONSOR
Based in Middlesbrough but with satellite offices in Edinburgh and London, digital marketing agency Outrank helps businesses grow through performance-driven digital marketing, offering integrated services across SEO, content, paid media and website design. And it’ s undergone a notable transformation in the past 12 months, driven by a team of six remarkable women – Fran Kosina, Helen Staples, Rye Middleton, Linzi Cormack, Fiona Laverick and Lucy Stirman. Together, they’ ve redefined the company’ s culture, operations and growth trajectory, creating a values-led, inclusive and empowering workplace. It means Outrank has not only created space for women to lead, but it has built a platform for them to thrive, inspire others and make meaningful impact inside and outside the organisation.
Elaine McLaine-Wood, managing partner, Punch Robson Solicitors: As founding sponsors of the Tees Businesswomen Awards since their launch in 2018, we’ re immensely proud to have supported this incredible platform from day one. Each year, the awards shine a spotlight on the talent, resilience and innovation that make Teesside’ s business community so special. Sponsoring the Business of the Year category is a true honour – it celebrates not just success, but the leadership and inspiration that drive our region forward. To see how the event has grown over the past eight years is phenomenal, and we’ re delighted to continue championing these outstanding women.
130 | Tees Business