THANK YOU
Tees Business says thanks to everyone who made our inaugural
Tees Businesswomen Awards such a resounding success…
A
fter months of hard, hard work,
we were delighted to finally
deliver the inaugural Tees
Businesswomen Awards event,
in association with Northern Skills Group,
at Wynyard Hall in November.
It’s fair to say we breathed a huge sigh
of relief afterwards – but we also felt a
great sense of pride and achievement
that we’d pulled it off.
We’ve been inundated with very kind
messages of support and congratulations
from lots of people, by email and
on social media, which is very much
appreciated.
But it was a huge team effort by several
of our associates and suppliers who all
deserve recognition.
Sarah Carlton from KINSHIP, our
trusted, talented graphic designer,
supported us every step of the way with
her creative work.
Adam Steel, one of our freelance
journalists, did a fantastic job helping us
to put together the programme on the
night.
Local photographers Chris Booth and
Tom Banks covered the event for us and,
as you can see from their images, they
did a cracking job of encapsulating the
evening.
Our fantastic table centre pieces for the
evening were supplied by Weddings By
Dee, of Middlesbrough, who also supplied
the wonderful cup-cakes!
Katie Land, senior events co-ordinator
at Wynyard Hall, deserves huge credit
for being so patient and understanding
during what was a new experience for us,
but she put our minds at ease throughout.
Storm AV provided our sound and
lighting for the evening and I’m sure our
guests on the night will agree their set-up
and use of colours – as well as a huge
LED screen – helped to create a special
atmosphere.
Faye Shearer performed two songs
which we thought were apt for the
occasion and also very well received,
while our host for the evening – our friend
Hayley McQueen – was top-class and
really gave the ceremony an edge.
Zoe Lewis from Middlesbrough College
and Jane Turner from Teesside University
delivered two thought-provoking
speeches which both brought loud
applause and appreciation.
And then, of course, came all the
shortlisted candidates, who – as RMS
operations manager Matthew Telling
coined brilliantly on the night – “were all
champions”.
Tees Businesswomen Awards 2018
In association with Northern Skills Group
Businesswoman of the Year
(sponsored by Teesside University)
Winner: Claire Preston (Lexonik)
Runners-up: Sharon Lane (Tees
Components), Yasmin Khan (The Halo
Project).
Business of the Year (sponsored by
Cornerstone Business Solutions)
Winner: J&B Recycling
Runners-up: Lexonik/Sound Training, Home
Instead Senior Care.
Lifelong Inspiration Award (sponsored
by Tees Valley Business Compass)
Winner: Anne Preston (Prestons of Potto).
Runners-up: Jane Turner (Teesside
University), Katrina Morley (Tees Valley
Education).
Thank you to Kirsten Donkin, of PD
Ports, who helped us set up on the day
and to Jenny Williams, from Teesside
Philanthropic Foundation, who gave up
her time to help us out on the night.
Our biggest thanks go to all our
sponsors, who not only believed in our
vision, but enabled us to achieve it.
Thank you Northern Skills Group,
Cornerstone Business Solutions, Teesside
University, RMS Recruitment, px Group,
Venator, Developments by Joseph
Homes, Tees Valley Combined Authority,
SABIC, Punch Robson Solicitors and Tees
Valley Business Compass.
So, what next?
We’re already planning next year’s
event – sponsorship details are on page
58.
We’ll continue to deliver the Tees
Businesswomen Awards as long as we
feel there’s a need for them.
This first event has already created
several female role models – as well as
plenty of prospective Tees Business
content – but we think there’s still a lot
to do, so watch out for more details, and
we’ll start publicising how to enter in 2019.
A big thank you once again to everyone
who played their part in such a fantastic
evening for the Tees region.
ROLL OF HONOUR
SME of the Year (sponsored by
Punch Robson Solicitors)
Winner: Hunters Estate Agents
Runners-up: Chadwicks Inn Maltby, Crake &
Mallon Funeral Services. Charity/Voluntary Award
(sponsored by Venator)
Winner: Halo Project
Runners-up: Teesside Philanthropic
Foundation, The Bungalow Partnership.
Inspiring Others Award (sponsored
by SABIC)
Winner: Yasmin Khan (Halo Project)
Runners-up: Julie Donaldson (Zetland FM),
Stacey Phoenix (Cygnet Law). Best Newcomer (sponsored by
RMS Recruitment)
Winner: Jessica Williams (Just Williams)
Runners-up: Holly Campbell (Venator), Jo
Davies (HR Alchemy).
Best New Business (sponsored by
Tees Valley Combined Authority)
Winner: Fourteen Drops
Runners-up: Pie Jackers, Just Williams. Training & Apprenticeships (sponsored
by px Group)
Winner: Nifco UK
Runners-up: Jackson’s Law,
Hunters Estate Agents.
Breaking the Mould Award (sponsored
by Developments by Joseph Homes)
Winner: Andrea Pearson (SABIC)
Runners-up: Liza Pontone (Active
Chartered Financial Planners), Kelly Bailey
(Venator).