Event set to celebrate the best in the business
THE North East Business Awards are returning to celebrate the best of the region’s business community.
The awards have celebrated the best of North East business for more than 20 years and are returning to celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship, technology and creativity, as well as some of the people making a difference in the region’s business community.
Winners in 11 categories will be selected in three parts of the North East – Tyneside and Northumberland; Sunderland, Durham and South Tyneside; and Teesside – before they are announced later this year on our sister websites ChronicleLive, TeessideLive and BusinessLive and in the pages of The Journal and the Teesside Gazette.
The area winners for each category will then compete for the overall prize, with the grand final taking place at Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield on October 3.
A new award recognising the North East’s best start-up companies has been added to this year’s event. There will also be a prize for outstanding contribution to North East business that is selected by the judging panel.
Last year the prestigious North East Company of the Year Award was won by Newcastle law firm Muckle LLP. The company – which also won the Best Place to Work prize – was praised for its commitment to the
local community and to the development of its staff, as well as its commercial success. Other winners on the night included Wootzano, Fairgrieve Compression Moulding and Clearly Drinks.
Tyneside software giant Sage is returning as headline partner, with the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland signing up as a category partner.
Jonathan Cowan, chief of staff at Sage, said: “As a company born and bred in the North East, with our global headquarters based here, we’re delighted to continue as the headline sponsor for the fourth consecutive year.
“We’re dedicated
to honouring the accomplishments of local businesses, showcasing the innovation that thrives in our region, while championing the exceptional talent we have.”
Journal editor Graeme Whitfield said: “The Business Awards have been a fixture on the regional business calendar for more than two decades and it’s great to have them back.
“There is no better event for celebrating the best of our region’s brilliant companies.
“I know from going to the awards over many years that winning – or even just taking part – can mean so much to boosting staff morale and raising businesses’ profile. I hope as many companies as possible enter the awards so we can really highlight our great companies to the widest possible audience.”
The awards are now open to entries. More details and entry forms can be found at nebusinessawards.co.uk
The award categories are:
■ Start-up Award;
■ Small Business of the Year;
■ Environment, Social & Governance Award;
■ Innovation Award;
■ Best Place to Work;
■ Growth Award;
■ Export & Global Impact Award;
■ Made in the North East Award;
■ Business of the Year;
■ Rising Star;
■ Business Person of the Year.