North East Business Awards shortlist is announced with area winners

The shortlist for this year’s North East Business Awards has been revealed with the announcement of area winners in 10 categories.

The awards, in partnership with Sage UK, will take place at Hardwick Hall at Sedgefield, County Durham, on October 3. In advance of the event, winners in each category have been announced for Northumberland and Tyneside; Sunderland, County Durham and South Tyneside; and Teesside; with the three finalists competing for the overall regional prize.

An additional prize will be awarded on the night to an individual for their outstanding contribution to North East business.

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The competitors for the top prize of North East Business of the Year will be Tyneside-based robotics company Wootzano, County Durham solar energy specialists Power Roll, and Teesside technology firm razorblue. Last year the title was taken by commercial law firm Muckle LLP. Other companies vying for awards include BA Joinery, Noggin HQ, Pacifica and Cell Pack Solutions.

North East business editor Graeme Whitfield – who was part of the judging panel – said: “Once again the entries to the North East Business Awards have been a testament to the quality of companies in this region. It was a pleasure to read about their achievements and the judging panel had some difficult decisions to make. Congratulations to all of our area winners - we’re looking forward to seeing them in October to see who will take the overall regional prizes.”

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

Innovation Award , in partnership with Newcastle University

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Childsplay Co-operative Nursery

Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Cell Pack Solutions Ltd

Winner for Teesside: Big Bite

Best Place to Work Award

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Muckle LLP

Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: AR Power

Winner for Teesside: razorblue

Made in the North East Award

Joint winners for Northumberland & Tyneside: Allan Brothers Ltd and George Smith

Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Fairgrieve Compression Moulding

Winner for Teesside: B A Joinery

Rising Star

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: David MacGregor of Osbit

Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Callum Hodgson of Accelerate Media

Winner for Teesside: Phoebe Taylor of Seventeen Lashes and Brows

Growth Award

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Citizens Advice Gateshead

Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Power Tool World

Winner for Teesside: Lucy Pittaway Ltd

Business Person of the Year

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Professor John Woodward of Northumbria University

Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Chris Balmer of AR Power

Winner for Teesside: Dan Kitchen of razorblue

Start-up Award

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Noggin HQ

Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Green Platypus Holdings Ltd

Winner for Teesside: MJF Resin Flooring Academy

Small Business of the Year

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Luminous XR

Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Hydraulic & Offshore Supplies Ltd

Winner for Teesside: Big Bite

Environment, Social & Governance Award , in partnership with Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Aspire Technology Solutions

Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Pacifica

Winner for Teesside: B A Joinery

Business of the Year , in partnership with Sage UK

Winner for Northumberland & Tyneside: Wootzano Ltd

Winner for Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside: Power Roll

Winner for Teesside: razorblue

To purchase tickets and tables to attend the North East Business Awards in October, please visit the website at nebusinessawards.co.uk

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