WINNER
( Double Eleven)
TEES TECH AWARDS 2025 2026
TEES TECH AMBASSADOR
SPONSORED BY LATOS
WINNER
KIMBERLEY TURNER
( Double Eleven)
The newly-crowned Tees Tech Ambassador had already shown why she deserved the title before picking up her surprise award.
Tees Tech Ambassador 2026, Kimberley Turner, with Peter Wilcock, CEO of category sponsor Latos.
Kimberley Turner – the co-CEO of global games developer and publisher Double Eleven – was chosen by a panel of former winners to be awarded the coveted title, becoming the first female ambassador in the Tees Tech Awards’ seven-year history.
But even before the accolade was sprung upon her, Kimberley – who received her trophy from Peter Wilcock of category sponsor Latos – had shown why she’ s a“ natural” for the role.
Speaking earlier in the evening to the 250-strong audience at Teesside University’ s Digital Life building, Kimberley had spoken of her pride at the Tees tech scene.
She said:“ It really is a privilege to be here to celebrate something we deeply care about – and that’ s seeing the tech sector in Teesside thrive.
“ I’ d like to congratulate all the finalists in the room – so whether you’ re a startup, a business scaling up or an established company like ours that’ s steadily growing, we’ re here to recognise and celebrate your hard work.”
Saying it was“ not easy to build a business”, especially in the current climate, she added:“ I feel like nothing worthwhile in life is easy.
“ And that’ s the difference between those who make it and those who don’ t – the determination to keep moving forward and that’ s what tonight is about, celebrating those people who never give up. And I like to consider myself one of those people.”
And as she continues to fly the flag for Teesside tech – only now as the official Tees Tech Ambassador – she said:“ Teesside gave us our first leg up in the early days all those years ago and we will be forever grateful for that. And I can’ t think of a better region to support all of you on your journey.
“ One of the things that hasn’ t changed since we started is our belief in the Tees Valley as a catalyst for building world-class companies. We work hard, we support each other, we’ re resilient and we know how to grow and nurture world-class talent.
“ And if I can leave you with one thing, stay focused – stay focused on your end goal, always hold your nerve in difficult times and stay true to yourself.”
After receiving her award, Kimberley admitted:“ I’ m totally shocked – I didn’ t see that coming at all.
“ I don’ t usually accept things personally very well. I’ m humbled – although I’ m really proud of what we’ ve achieved and what I’ ve achieved.
“ So, if I can help inspire other women to do the same, that’ s a really good place for me to land.”
One thing she pledged to improve, however, was her badminton skills, having turned up to the ceremony on crutches following an“ over competitive” game with her teenage sons at Center Parcs.
She laughed:“ My work game’ s good – my personal badminton game’ s clearly bad!
“ But things are really good( at Double Eleven). The industry’ s been in a bit of turmoil for a couple of years, so we’ ll keep riding the good wave and getting better, stronger and faster every year.”
And as for being the first female Tees Tech Ambassador, she said:“ Hopefully I’ m the first of many! I’ ll just keep my head down, do my work and try to make sure we do good things – anything else is a bonus. But this is a big bonus and I’ m really happy.”
WINNERS’ ROLL CALL: |
2020: |
Dominic Lusardi |
2021: |
Mark South |
2022: |
David Dixon |
2023: |
Bob Makin |
2024: |
Dan Watson |
2025: |
Imran Anwar |
The voice of business in the Tees region | 133