WINNER:
SOPHIE DUNN
2025
BEST NEWCOMER
WINNER:
SOPHIE DUNN
( CF FERTILISERS)
“ Just do it” – a simple three-word message from award-winning apprentice Sophie Dunn to girls thinking of an engineering career.
An apprentice instrument technician with Billingham firm CF Fertilisers, Sophie now has the Best Newcomer title to her name.
And the delighted 20-year-old, who picked up her trophy from Steve Southern, CEO of category sponsor Southern Asset Management, was keen to urge other girls to follow in her engineering footsteps.
After leaving Billingham’ s Northfield School, Sophie went straight to technical training provider TTE to study instrumentation engineering.
She joined CF in 2023 and hasn’ t looked back, culminating in her award success.
She said:“ I’ m so grateful for the fact CF even put me forward for it. It’ s great to be representing women in the engineering field.
“ I’ ve always been practical and wanted to work in some sort of industry. I did design tech at school but focused on engineering design from the beginning. My dad’ s always had his own business – he does a lot of property maintenance – and his best mate’ s an electrician who’ s also pushed me towards this sort of thing.
“ I really enjoy it at CF – everyone’ s amazing. They’ re so nice. I do a lot of calibrations, programming, commissioning and setting up new flow transmitters – and I love it.
“ My apprenticeship finishes in February, so fingers crossed I pass my exams and hopefully get taken on. I just plan to keep working hard, training and gaining more qualifications and experience.”
And in a message to girls considering an engineering career, she said:“ As cliched as it is, just do it! It can be terrifying but the more girls who get into it, the less scary it’ s going to be in the future for females who want to get into the industry.
“ We need to be those people who set the example and are role models for everyone else.”
As co-director of REFLECT Health Hub, Eva has tackled initial funding limitations, stakeholder scepticism and operational challenges to establish a business that unites physical and mental health services for the community. Her vision, empathy and adaptability have driven the Hub’ s growth, resulting in hundreds of clients served in the first year, innovative programmes for neurodiverse groups and strong partnerships with local business providers.
Her collaborative leadership inspires her team, fosters professional development and champions inclusivity, earning excellent client feedback and recognition from industry peers.
And her journey from creative arts to psychology and leadership exemplifies her commitment to positive change and shaping the future of holistic wellness.
Sponsored & shortlisted by Southern Asset Management
Winner – Sophie Dunn of CF Fertilisers, right, with Steve Southern, CEO of category sponsor Southern Asset Management.
FINALIST: FINALIST:
Eva Quinn
( REFLECT Health Hub)
A WORD FROM THE SPONSOR
Beth Wilson
( Beth Wilson Embroidery)
Beth is an award-winning embroidery artist who blends technical mastery with a personal, bespoke approach.
After graduating from London College of Fashion and gaining experience at the London Embroidery Studio, Beth returned home to Middlesbrough to establish her brand.
In just a few years, she has secured high-profile collaborations – including creating a bespoke jacket for a Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader to wear at the 2024 Super Bowl and touring the UK and Ireland with Victoria’ s Secret – while winning Tees Valley Artist of the Year 2025 and the National Embroidery Awards’ digital embroidery category.
Her resilience, innovation and commitment to quality produces work that continues to inspire, empower and bring unique creative visions to life.
Steve Southern, CEO, Southern Asset Management: There are three fantastic women shortlisted for this award and I’ m proud and humbled to be presenting it. All who know me know that I’ m wired differently, but I’ ll never change the way I am. So, if I can give one bit of advice to up-and-coming businesses and entrepreneurs, it’ s stay true to yourself, never give up, do things differently and push boundaries beyond limits.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 139