Barclays boss hails influence of InspiraTees winners
INSPIRATEES
Barclays boss hails influence of InspiraTees winners
I
mpact – the key factor that unites Teesside’ s top business leaders, according to the sponsor of the InspiraTees awards. The head of Barclays business banking for Scotland and the north, Piers Fielding, presented the awards at the fourth InspiraTees event – the annual celebration of Teesside’ s top 30 business leaders as voted for by their contemporaries.
Organised by Tees Business in association with Barclays, the lunchtime event saw guests gather in Hardwick Hall’ s Lakeside Marquee to hear the top 30 revealed.
And for Piers, it was the winners’ impact, influence and inspiration that shone through.
He told the 100-strong 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.”
Piers said InspiraTees was about“ celebrating influence” and“ honouring the people whose actions, leadership, generosity and determination inspire others to achieve more, dream bigger and make a difference.”
He added:“ Across this region, we are super fortunate to have extremely extraordinary communities of business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, volunteers and community champions who quietly, and sometimes not so quietly, shape the places where we live, work and our businesses thrive.
“ The individuals we celebrate today come from different sectors, backgrounds and experiences.
“ Many have built successful businesses, creating jobs, opportunities and economic growth across the region.
“ Others have dedicated themselves to strengthening communities, supporting vulnerable people, mentoring future generations or championing causes that make the regions stronger, fairer and more connected.”
And he felt that the Tees region’ s business leaders continued to show that“ our greatest asset is our people.”
He said:“ The top 30 inspiring business leaders and community trailblazers embody the spirit of the Tees fully.
“ They represent vision, courage, compassion and commitment, inspiring not through words alone but through action to the businesses they build, the communities they serve and the lives they touch.
“ To everybody being recognised today, thank you. Thank you for leading by example, thank you for creating opportunities for others and thank you for showing what’ s possible when talent is combined with purpose and ambition.
“ Inspiration is not reserved for a select few – it starts with ordinary people choosing to make extraordinary things happen.”
REMEMBERING ANGELINE
The positivity of a former Tees Valley Business Club director was remembered in poignant tributes at InspiraTees.
Angeline Stewart – who passed away in April, aged 41, after illness – worked with leading accountancy Azets and its legacy firms for more than 20 years.
But she was also well known as a director of the Tees Valley Business Club, joining initially as treasurer in 2013 and becoming a director the following year.
And at InspiraTees 2026 – the annual celebration of the region’ s top 30 business leaders as voted for by their contemporaries – friends and colleagues paid emotional tributes to her positive personality and professional ability.
Graham Fitzgerald of Azets – where Angeline was a senior manager – told the 100-strong audience at Hardwick Hall:“ I could spend hours talking about Angeline but the main thing was her positive spirit in the office.
“ It can be stressful at times, working with deadlines and difficult situations, but Angeline was always a very positive person who would bring us round and make everyone smile again – as well as being a really good auditor and professional.”
Graham said Angeline’ s spirit would live on at Azets after a collection bought a tree for the office.
He said:“ We water it and look after it as a team because barely a day goes by when we don’ t talk about Angeline.
“ Her legacy lives on and when we’ re having a tough day, we think about her and the positive spirit she brought to the firm and the office.”
And remarking how devoted she was to her family – including partner Mick, their son Teddy, dad Ian, mum Phoebe and sisters Claire and Nerissa- Graham said the positive way Angeline tackled her illness“ inspired all of us.”
He added:“ She had a really good work-life balance. She put the effort in at work but always had time for her family and friends.
“ She was a lesson to all of us – we all work, we all graft, but always find time for your family and friends because they’ re the most important thing in life and Angeline managed to get that balance absolutely spot on.
“ She lives on in all of us and we take that with us every day.”
Emily Bentley, of law firm Jacksons and a director of Tees Valley Business Club, said Angeline was an“ amazing” treasurer and director.
She said:“ She brought an air of calm to the club. She was very grounded and when she took over the role, she did things in her own very methodical way, as you’ d expect of an accountant.
“ She was quite an unassuming character but if anyone arrived at the business club, they’ d see her warm, welcoming face.”
28 | Tees Business