Eight North East firms celebrate King's Awards for Enterprise

Eight North East companies are toasting success after winning King’s Awards for Enterprise.

The winners of the awards celebrate the achievements of UK businesses across categories including innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility. This year, regional businesses are part of a group of 258 from across the UK in a range of sectors recognised by the King as being among the best in the country.

The companies celebrating recognition include Sedgefield telecoms firm Filtronic, Darlington-based NCB Hazcheck, Middlesbrough’s Casper Shipping, Made for Trade of Wynyard, Washington’s Visuna, Evidence Based Education in Sunderland, Billingham-based Paralloy and Wallsend’s Frontline Integrity.

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Sunderland-based Evidence Based Education (EBE) is toasting an award for enterprise in innovation – which comes after its previous success in the 2019 awards. Founded in 2015, EBE employs 19 people and offers innovative teacher professional development and school improvement tools through its Great Teaching Toolkit.

Managing director and co-founder Jack Deverson said: “It’s an incredible honour for EBE to receive an Innovation Award for the second time. It’s testament to the whole team and their work, to keep pushing the boundaries and to deliver cutting-edge tools and services that are so valued by those who use them.”

NCB Hazcheck Limited, which pioneered a dangerous goods detection system to elevate maritime
safety, safeguard lives, cargo and the environment has been recognised in the Innovation category of the King’s Awards.

Mike Durkin, chief information officer for NCB Hazcheck, said: “Receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise is not only an honour but also a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication to innovation. Our software, Hazcheck Detect, was developed with the aim of improving the safety of life and cargo at sea, and this recognition reaffirms our commitment to realising our ambition.”

Made For Trade, which produces innovative and novel Korniche roof lanterns that can be fitted in minutes and glazed in seconds, have been recognised in the Innovation category. Managing director Bradley Gaunt said: “Made For Trade is excited to share that it has received the esteemed King’s Award for Innovation. This recognition underscores the unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation and constantly seeking new ways to enhance Korniche products and provide exceptional services.”

Casper Shipping – an industry leader of port agency, defence, customs and demurrage services which was established in 1872 – toasted a win for Enterprise in International Trade. It said the company’s pioneering strategies and solutions have paved the way for consistent growth and new markets, culminating in the award.

Managing director Rob Bateman said: “We are immensely proud to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise. It’s a testament to our hard work and unwavering delivery of first-class maritime solutions that cater to the dynamic needs of our clients.”

Frontline Integrity, founded in 2020 by Brian Kerrigan and based at North Tyneside’s Silverlink Business Park, Wallsend, won an award for international trade. Mr Kerrigan said: “Receiving a King’s Award is a huge honour not only for Frontline Integrity but also for the North East business community. It is wonderful to be recognised for our work and I’d like to thank each of our team for their hard work and dedication.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise were previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and were renamed last year to reflect the King’s desire to continue the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The programme, now in its 58th year, has recognised over 7,000 companies since its inception in 1965.

Minister for Enterprise Kevin Hollinrake said: “I congratulate the recipients of this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise. Whether its NCB Hazcheck in Darlington or Made For Trade in Billingham, this year’s awards show that innovation has a home in the North East. I wish them every success."