North East Business Awards: shortlist is unveiled for the 2023 grand final

Finalists have been announced for the new-look North East Business Awards, headline partnered by Sage UK and in association with Middlesbrough College Group.

Ahead of an event on September 26 at Hardwick Hall at Sedgefield, County Durham, sub-regional winners in 10 categories have been selected. Each of those winners from Tyneside and Northumberland; Sunderland, County Durham and South Tyneside; and Teesside will compete for the overall regional prize.

Hundreds of businesses entered this year’s event, and there will also be prizes awarded on the night for outstanding contribution to North East business and the Prince’s Trust Young Achiever.

The competitors for the top prize of North East Business of the Year will be Newcastle law firm Muckle LLP, Teesside technology firm razorblue and Wootzano, a Sedgefield robotics company. Last year the title was taken by Stockton firm Cleveland Containers.

North East business editor and editor of The Journal, Graeme Whitfield – who was part of the judging panel – said: “It was a long but rewarding process to whittle down all of the many entries we received to the finalists we’ll be welcoming in September. There were many brilliant companies who didn’t even make our shortlist, such was the quality of entries, and it’s clear that the North East business community is in rude health. I can’t wait for our final at Hardwick Hall to hear more about our finalists and celebrate some great North East firms.”

2023 North East Business Awards sponsors — (Image: Reach Plc)

The shortlist for this year’s awards are being sponsored by the North of Tyne Combined Authority.

North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll said: “It’s a challenging time right now, with high inflation, a cost-of-living crisis and a climate crisis. I have visited so many innovative and resilient businesses pushing boundaries across various sectors.With our funding we have helped create over 5,000 new jobs in the region in just four years. These are backed by our Good Work Pledge. This year we’re launching a venture capital fund with local universities that will support innovative start-ups and scale-ups.

“The world is waking up to this too. Last year the North East was the number one region for inward investment job creation in the UK. Best of luck to all the entrants – let’s showcase what North East business is all about.”

The winners of the sub-regional heats now going through to the Grand Final are:

Global Britain Award

Joint Winners for Northumberland & Tyneside: Insulcon Technical and Reproflex3
Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: DME Systems Ltd
Winner for Teesside: Big Bite

Environmental and Sustainability Award, in partnership with SSE Energy Solutions

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: EGGER (UK) Ltd
Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Clearly Drinks Ltd
Winner for Teesside: Vianet plc

Innovation Award, in partnership with Newcastle University

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Transmission Dynamics
Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Wootzano Ltd
Winner for Teesside: Tracerco

Growth Award

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Leighton
Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Visuna
Winner for Teesside: B A Joinery

Best Place to Work

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Muckle LLP
Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Voicentric Ltd
Winner for Teesside: Big Bite

Made In Britain Award, in partnership with Acute Business Advisory

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Zentia
Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Beanies Flavour Coffee
Winner for Teesside: Paralloy Ltd

Business Person of the Year, in partnership with Middlesbrough College

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Paul Fiddaman – Karbon Homes
Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Gareth Allen – Superior Recruitment Group
Winner for Teesside: Victoria Lynch – Additional Lengths