Tees Business Tees Business issue 19 | Page 22

22 | Tees Business Tees Business is gearing up for the Tees Businesswomen Awards on October 24 Billions Europe managing director Fiona Macleod with Tees Business co-editor Dave Allan. COUNTDOWN BEGINS A billion reasons to support Tees Businesswomen Awards B illions Europe, which sells high- performance titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment, is backing this year’s Tees Businesswomen Awards, in association with Northern Skills Group. The Stockton-based firm is sponsoring the charity/voluntary category at this year’s event, with the awards ceremony taking place at Wynyard Hall on October 24. Billions Europe managing director Fiona Macleod said: “I attended last year’s awards ceremony and was so impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of the event that I wanted to get more closely involved. “To attract the brightest and the best of our young people into business in the North East I believe we need to show them strong role models they can relate to. “The Tees Businesswomen Awards helps to address an imbalance – so many capable and successful women in the North East just focus on doing a good job. Sometimes women need a bit of extra encouragement to come forward and celebrate their success, to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, male and female. “We need to remind people, male and female, young and old that, although it’s hard work, running your own business can also be a lot of fun.” Tees Business co-editor Dave Allan said: “We’re delighted to have the support of Billions Europe for the second Tees Businesswomen Awards event. “We expect the awards event to be another hugely-popular event again this year, both in terms of entries and attendance on the night, and we look forward to recognising our region’s leading women in business, whilst also hopefully unearthing some hidden stories.” Billions Europe was set up in 2014 as a multi-million, multi-currency global business. Fiona added: “We currently employ 12 people in the North-East and a small international sales team across mainland Europe and the United States. We are increasing sales and expanding our footprint in Europe. “We recently appointed two new sales managers for the European region, one based in Stockton and the other in Germany, with more appointments expected. We have a great team and we’re proud of them. We’re growing fast and investing in the future.” Billions Europe is a global company that sells high-performance titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment used to manufacture a vast range of products worldwide including paints, inks, plastics and paper. It is an equal opportunities employer. Its parent company, Lomon Billions, employs over 7,000 people worldwide.