TEES TECH AWARDS 2026

SPONSORED BY PUNCH ROBSON SOLICITORS

WINNER

( Tanglewood Games)

For a CEO whose company works on massive international video game titles such as Hogwarts Legacy, it would be easy to feel slightly detached from the local business landscape.

But for proud Hartlepudlian Chris Wood, being named Business Leader of the Year at the recent Tees Tech Awards has provided a nice connection back to the area and his hometown.

A couple of weeks on from the prestigious ceremony, the founder of Tanglewood Games was still reflecting on the accolade, which was unanimously awarded to him by a six-person panel consisting of former winners.

Operating a highly successful businessto-business enterprise with clients spanning the globe means Tanglewood’ s day-to-day focus is often far beyond the Tees Valley borders. However, for Chris, this local validation has struck a nice chord.

“ It means everything to have been recognised locally,” said Chris.“ I’ m a proud Hartlepudlian and building something here is very important to me.

“ Because we’ re business-to-business and our clients are all over the world, it can sometimes feel like we aren’ t a truly‘ local’ business. Recognition like this really helps us feel connected to the region.”

Chris was attending a major gaming conference in London on the night of the black-tie event so couldn’ t be at Teesside University’ s spectacular £ 41.4m Digital Life building to receive the award.

Tanglewood Games CEO Chris Wood received his trophy from Elaine McLaine-Wood of Punch Robson Solicitors.

Instead, it was presented to him by Elaine McLaine-Wood of sponsors Punch Robson Solicitors in the Tanglewood studio.

Chris said:“ It was genuinely surprising to win and really means a lot. To be part of the event and been there to have thanked everyone would have been fantastic- to be the centre of attention for a few minutes, not so much. Seriously though, I’ d have been there if I could. It’ s an amazing honour and I’ m very grateful.”

Being named Tees Tech’ s Business Leader of the Year is a fitting testament to Chris’ incredible entrepreneurial journey.

Providing major game developers with end-to-end services- including engineering, technical art support, optimisation and platform porting- his studio’ s rise has been hugely impressive.

He said:“ Tanglewood started as a one-person business in 2017. Just me, my engineering expertise and a few connections in the games industry.

“ But I always knew that I’ d build it into a service business, one small step at a time, patiently, based on delivering for clients and building a reputation the hard way.

“ I worked hard and eventually took on contracts that allowed me to employ students in 2019, then full-time staff from 2020. Today we have over 50 full-time staff across the UK and dozens of clients worldwide.”

Tanglewood Games is bucking current trends, thriving at a time when much of the wider games industry is facing widespread contraction.

In 2025, the studio grew its workforce by 33 % and became one of just 23 companies worldwide to receive gold accreditation in the elite Unreal Engine Service Partner Programme.

Chris ensures this success filters back into the community, actively partnering with local charities, schools and universities to help reduce barriers for young Teessiders entering the digital industry.

And the newly crowned Business Leader of the Year remains focused on his roots.

He said:“ We’ re a profitable and growing game dev business, which isn’ t too common right now. I intend to capitalise on our success with further growth that benefits not only the company, but also Hartlepool.”

SPONSOR’ S MESSAGE

Punch Robson’ s managing partner Elaine McLaine-Wood said:“ 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.”

134 | Tees Business