INSPIRATEES
Marquee venue – Hardwick Hall’ s Lakeside Marquee played host to the InspiraTees.
INSPIRATION IN ACTION
Top 30 business leaders – as voted for by their peers- hailed at uplifting InspiraTees event
They’ re officially the region’ s most inspiring business leaders – and many gathered to share their knowledge with others at the annual InspiraTees celebration. Organised by Tees Business in partnership with Barclays, the InspiraTees saw 20 of the region’ s top 30 inspirational business leaders attend Hardwick Hall Hotel’ s Lakeside Marquee to receive framed certificates. The list was the result of an annual poll, run by Tees Business for the last 11 years, asking local businesspeople to name the Tees leaders who most inspire them. More than 200 voted for their top three, with around 150 names receiving at least one vote.
And, for a third successive year, Wilton Engineering CEO Bill Scott OBE DL was crowned InspiraTees champion, again receiving a gleaming trophy from Barclays’ Piers Fielding in a presentation watched by more than 100 guests.
In a break from the previous format, InspiraTees recipients were announced in small, connected groups of three or four, including the winners of the Tees Businesswoman of the Year accolade, the connectors, tech leaders and community champions.
Tees Business director and event co-host Dave Allan said:“ I think there are some misconceptions out there – but the InspiraTees definitely isn’ t a competition.
“ It’ s a celebration of our region’ s beacons of business – those who influence and inspire others through their remarkable achievements, exceptional leadership qualities and unwavering commitment to act as powerful force for strong business ethics.”
Fellow director Martin Walker added:“ The success stories of those we’ re celebrating through this event inspire others by showcasing the power of determination, hard work and talent.
“ These leaders prioritise integrity and ethical decisionmaking, setting high standards for themselves and their organisations.
“ I think it’ s true to say they all demonstrate genuine desire to make a positive impact within their organisations, sectors and communities, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.”
The head of Barclays business banking for Scotland and the north, Piers Fielding, presented the awards. He told the audience:“ What unites you all is not a job title, a balance sheet or an award nomination – it’ s impact.
“ You are the people who step forward when others step back – the people who see opportunity where others see obstacles and the people who lift others as they climb.
“ You are simply the role models who remind us that true leadership is measured not by what we achieve for ourselves, but what you enable others to achieve.”
Treble – Barclays’ Piers Fielding( right) presents the trophy to overall winner Bill Scott.
Newcomers –( from left) Steve Southern, Katrina Morley and Lucy Pittaway all made their first InspiraTees appearance.
INSPIRATEES WINNERS’ ROLLCALL
2016 Steve Gibson OBE 2017 Bill Scott 2018 Ben Houchen 2019 Ben Houchen 2020 Ben Houchen 2021 Professor Jane Turner OBE DL 2022 Frans Caljé OBE 2023 Catherine Devereux 2024 Bill Scott OBE DL 2025 Bill Scott OBE DL 2026 Bill Scott OBE DL
Scan the QR code to see more images from the InspiraTees 2026 networking and presentations:
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