AWARDS
TEES BUSINESS AWARDS 2026
WINNERS!
Stars shine brightly at Tees Business Awards 2026
Glory – some of the winners gather on stage at the end of the 2026 Tees Business Awards.
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An engineering firm born in Ireland but now thriving on Teesside and a boss with an inspirational back story were among the big winners at the Tees Business Awards 2026, held in association with razorblue.
On a fantastic night of excitement and emotion, 340 guests celebrated the cream of Teesside’ s business scene as the fourth annual awards took place at Hardwick Hall Hotel.
In a ceremony hosted by Teessideraised sports presenter Hayley McQueen, and featuring a keynote speech from former Boro and England manager Steve McClaren, the coveted Business of the Year title was won by Eastgate Engineering – a firm founded in Ireland back in 2007 but which, since 2015, has established its operational centre on Teesside and continues to grow from strength to strength.
Glittering – 11 trophies were handed out at the fourth annual Tees Business Awards.
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CEO David Brennan, who received the trophy from Dan Kitchen, CEO of category and event sponsor razorblue, said:“ It’ s a real honour and a privilege to be among such fantastic companies, organisations and charities in Teesside.
“ I spent the last two days in Madrid at the Wind Europe event and all I spoke about was Teesside. Teesside is such a unique place with a unique set of industries.
“ We’ re honoured to be working here and to be a successful business employing locally and involved in local charities and organisations.”
Proudly clutching the impressive trophy, David added:“ This is something else. I’ m so honoured and privileged to represent the employees behind Eastgate Engineering – they’ re the ones who have their shoulders behind the wheel, day in, day out.”
Meanwhile, Steve Southern, of Southern Asset Management, was a popular winner of the Tees Business Leader of the Year title, succeeding Alt Labs CEO Imran Anwar.
The wins for Eastgate Engineering and Steve Southern were just two highlights of a night packed with memorable moments.
Other individual winners included Danni Pratt of Tanglewood Games, who clinched the Future Leader prize, and Alisdair Beveridge of The Build Directory, who picked up the Making a Difference award.
It was a particularly memorable night for Lee Gatley-Hall, who was called up to the stage to receive two awards – the
Glamour- Sky Sports star Hayley McQueen hosted the 2026 Tees Business Awards.
Innovation Award for his social housing digital platform HomeHub and the Net Zero Award for retrofit and carbon-cutting energy consultancy Consult Net Zero.
And in true awards ceremony style, one winner – Tees Components’ Sharon Lane – sadly couldn’ t attend the event, but sent an emotional acceptance video after a panel voted her recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In the other awards, planning and project controls consultant Logic-i won the Small Business of the Year title, Teesport owner PD Ports received the Inclusion and Engagement Award and CF Fertilisers UK was rewarded for its Training and Apprenticeships provision.
Airborne medical service Great North Air Ambulance, with 24 years of mercy missions under its belt so far, was a popular winner of the Community Champions title.