AWARDS
SPONSORED AND SHORTLISTED BY PUNCH ROBSON SOLICITORS
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
FINALIST
GRANT GLENDINNING( ETC.)
As chief executive and group principal of the Education Training Collective, Grant has transformed the organisation through a clear focus on quality, culture and collaboration.
Under his leadership, the Etc. achieved Ofsted Outstanding in 2025, backed by sectorleading achievement rates across all learner groups.
He has overseen major capital investments that modernise facilities and align education with regional skills priorities, while fostering a culture of“ ONE Etc.” built on trust, ambition and authenticity.
Winner – Tees Business Leader of the Year Steve Southern with Elaine McLaine- Wood, of category sponsor Punch Robson Solicitors.
WINNER
STEVE SOUTHERN( SOUTHERN ASSET MANAGEMENT)
He admits to“ imposter syndrome” – but Steve Southern now stands alongside Teesside’ s top leaders after being crowned Business Leader of the Year.
In just four years – and having fought his own mental health struggles along the way – Steve has established his firm, Southern Asset Management, as a major UK player in the structural testing scene.
And as he surveyed Hardwick Hall’ s packed Coleman Suite, with 340 guests giving him a huge and heartfelt ovation, it was a“ pinch yourself” moment for the ex-Green Howard and England judo international who found himself floored by mental health issues.
In a story he freely shares, problems stemming from a former role saw him spiral into depression, leading to a series of breakdowns.
But with the help of family, friends and a business dream, he battled through, set up Southern Asset Management and is now sharing the business stage with the best around.
He said:“ I’ m speechless – I’ ve had imposter syndrome, knowing I was coming to this. I haven’ t been well with my health – I’ ve had a hell of a week, to be honest.
“ But the business is a real source of pride for me. I built a team to help clients and I built a business to make a difference.
“ Tonight is very special – I’ m very overwhelmed. I just want to thank my team, my family and the people who put me in this position.”
Of his own back story, he said:“ For someone like me to go through what I’ ve gone through, it’ s important to be open and honest about it.
“ But all my team know who I am – they all support me. If I come in upset, they cuddle me and if they’ re upset, I cuddle them – and that’ s what you call having a business.
“ They can phone me any time – and they do. We have tears and we have a good laugh. As a business owner, you’ re a dad, you’ re a social worker … my staff cry when they need to cry and laugh when they need to laugh and it’ s all accepted.
“ That comes from me – it’ s about morals, ethos, culture, honestly, integrity and loyalty.”
FINALIST
ZOE LEWIS CBE( MIDDLESBROUGH COLLEGE GROUP)
The group’ s first female principal and chief executive, Zoe is driving Middlesbrough College’ s commitment to enhancing the region’ s economic competitiveness by aligning its offer to the skills employers across the region require.
That vision includes ensuring Middlesbrough College Group( MCG) delivers first-class education and training to 15,000 students of many different starting points.
A member of the MCG senior leadership team since 2005, Zoe led the £ 70m capital project to create the Middlehaven college campus. She was awarded a CBE for services to education in 2024.
SPONSOR’ S REFLECTIONS:
Punch Robson managing partner Elaine McLaine-Wood:“ We’ re delighted to once again support the Tees Tech Awards, having been involved since their launch in 2020.
“ The growth of the technology sector across Teesside in that time has been incredible to witness, with businesses continuing to innovate, scale and make a real impact, both regionally and nationally.
“ The Business Leader of the Year category is particularly important, as it recognises the individuals whose vision, leadership and determination are driving that success.
“ At Punch Robson, we work closely with many ambitious, forward-thinking businesses and understand the vital role strong leadership plays in achieving long-term growth.”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 127