Tees Tech Awards 2021 Programme | Page 27

FINALISTS
SPONSORED BY PUNCH ROBSON SOLICITORS

Business Leader of the Year

TOM HOWSAM
( Paid )
Founder and business leader at Darlington-based Paid , a fintech start-up focusing on decreasing the pay cycle for contractors and suppliers , helping individuals get paid quicker and securing on-time payment for services , Tom has an excellent reputation in industry .
A member of the Tees tech scene since its inception , he has created some exceptional businesses , contributed to the growth of the sector and its image and is truly invested in the area .
Tom builds on each success and reinvests his time and money to grow new companies and employment opportunities in the region .
He helps organisations achieve their goals while also being a perfect example of what a Tees business leader should be .
RICHARD BENDELOW
( Aero Commerce )
At the forefront of tech in the Tees region for over 20 years , Richard is CEO of Middlesbroughbased Aero Commerce , chief operating officer of Techquity and one of the original founders of Visualsoft .
With a broad knowledge , a strong network , a background of success and an appetite for entrepreneurship which has resulted in the creation of jobs , Richard possesses the very best attributes of a CEO .
With the pandemic bringing a rapid move to online sales , Richard engaged with the local cluster and offered his ecommerce platform to all who could benefit from it , not only increasing sales for agencies but moving Tees Valley-based businesses online .
BOB MAKIN
( SockMonkey Studios )
Managing director of award-winning Middlesbrough-based video games developer SockMonkey Studios , Bob is a visionary who has put the Tees Valley on the map for digital entertainment .
Leading his company to 10 years of sustained growth , Bob has secured contracts with companies such as SEGA and Disney and has grown his team from two to almost 40 , with ambitions to employ 100 in the next five years .
Representing the Tees digital sector on a number of regional , national and international platforms , Bob is extremely gifted , yet modest . He supports his team , students and graduates and encourages others to start their own digital businesses .
# TeesTechAwards – we ’ re fundraising at justgiving . com / teestechawards2021 | 27