Bosses at four North East companies have been included in a list of the Ƶ’s most ambitious business leaders.
The publication of the seventh annual LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders list aims to celebrate companies that are creating jobs, promoting social equality, championing sustainability and expanding internationally. Leaders at four North East firms are included this year, while another is in a second Ones to Watch list.
There were also special prizes for Peter Moody, of Gateshead electricals recycling firm GAP Group North East, who won the ESG Award, and Brinsley Sheridan, of Sunderland’s RE:GEN Group, who won the Impact Award. The award for Mr Sheridan came in the same week that RE:GEN was named the North East’s fastest growing company at the Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 awards for the second year running.
Also featuring in the list were Sean and Charlotte Ali, co-founders of Newcastle-based Rheal, which won high praise on TV pitching show Dragons’ Den, and Philip Miller, who has grown electrical systems business ABCA Systems in Newcastle from a local firm with a dozen staff to a 380-employee national fire and security systems provider.
Lee Rorison, founder and CEO of Seriös Group, a data and test solutions provider based in Newcastle’s Hoults Yard, was included in the Ones to Watch list.
Mr Moody launched GAP Group in 2005 after a 23-year career in the Royal Navy. His company recycles 700,000 fridges and more than 18,000 tonnes of small domestic appliances annually from its plants in Gateshead. It is also opening a plant in Scotland, which will be powered by 100% green energy.
He said: “I’m obviously hugely honoured to be recognised among so many other amazing business leaders nationally and accept this award on behalf of the fantastic team at GAP Group North East.
“Businesses have a responsibility to the communities they operate within. We have a division titled Gap Renew, which refurbishes used electrical appliances. We’ve started working with The National House Project (a charity set up to support young people leaving care), with the aim of sending economical electrical ‘bundles’, washing machines, fridge/freezers and cookers, to help teenagers who are leaving the care system and into council houses. It’s important to give such disadvantaged young adults a leg up in life.”
Over its history, the Top 50 list has recognised leaders of companies including ParentPay, Raspberry Pi, Huel and Fentimans.
John Garner, managing partner at LDC, said: “It’s been seven years since we launched The LDC Top 50 and in that time we’ve had the privilege of meeting some truly remarkable people. Our business leaders for 2024 show relentless drive and determination in their growth ambitions, and I’d like to congratulate them on everything they’ve achieved so far. This is certainly not the end of their success and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
