From Northumberland to Teesside, every inch of the North East is brimming with entrepreneurial spirit and passion. For the past twenty years, the has shown the endless potential and promise within our region, all the way up to superstar successes and global greats.
And though the year of 2020 will leave us all with memories of heartache and struggle, we have seen some truly inspiring resilience and ingenuity from our business community. Hence our brand new category for 2021: the Covid-19 Response Award. Dedicated to those in the industry who went the extra mile throughout the pandemic, this award celebrates the courage and conviction of local businesses.
Check out the categories below and enter online at before 3pm on July 2.
Changing it up this year, the will take place as one extra-large event on Thursday, September 23 instead of the usual format of sub-regional heats. The highly-anticipated event will be held at The Grand Marquee at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield. For tables, tickets and queries, email lesley.hampson@reachplc.com or call 0191 2016435.
This year, the are headline sponsored by and associate sponsored by . Use the tag to show your support.
Not only will you receive an award and celebration on the night, your success will be showcased to millions of online readers through our websites ChronicleLive, TeessideLive and BusinessLive and put in print for the tens of thousands of The Journal and The Gazette readers to discover.
Winner of last year's North East Company of the Year title, Aspire Technology Solutions, urges everyone to enter as the win has helped towards another year of record sales and growth. Check out what managing director, Chris Fraser, had to say about the company's win here.
With 13 awards to be handed out on the night, your business is bound to fit the requirements for one of the categories at this year's . Technological innovation, manufacturing expertise and remarkable growth are just a few of the traits being celebrated. And don't worry if your business hasn't been established for long or has a small workforce, we have the Newcomer of the Year and Small Business Award especially to promote the new talent on the block.
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Simply that your business fits the requirements for, and press 'Enter Now'. But don't miss the deadline on July 2, at 3pm.
The categories for the are:
Newcomer of the Year Sponsored by
We're looking for the best business start-ups so this award is open to companies in the region that have been in operation for a maximum of three years as of 31 December 2020. Judges will pay particular attention to the origins of the company and how it started out, the company’s business plan and indications of how it has been pursued so far, what differentiates the company’s products/services from their competitors, managerial and financial performance, notable achievements to date, and potential for growth.
Small Business Award
This award is open to companies in the region that normally employ no more than 50 full time staff and which have a proven record of success. The judges will pay particular attention to managerial and financial performance, potential for growth, evidence of commitment and imagination in the product or service, and what differentiates the company’s products/services from their competitors.
Apprenticeship, Training and Skills Award Sponsored by
This award recognises businesses that have implemented a successful apprentice, training or skills programme as an integral part of developing their workforce providing opportunities for the younger generation in the area. Judges will be looking for an ongoing commitment to skills and training, examples of how the training or apprentice scheme is used to develop the workforce, evidence of the benefits apprentices and trainees bring to their business, and for businesses that are taking a leading role in improving skills levels in the region.
High Growth and Ambition Award Sponsored by
This award is open to companies of all sizes but they must have been trading for over 12 months. The category is designed to recognise a company that has demonstrated rapid growth over the last 12 months. You will need to demonstrate an increase in sales, profit, market share, headcount, perhaps a move into bigger premises or new premises in another region. Judges will be looking for organisations demonstrating exceptional levels of growth for its size and sector with a solid business plan for the year ahead.
Innovation and Technology Award Sponsored by
This award identifies and rewards companies which have launched the most innovative new product/service or who may have built or embraced new technology to drive their company forward in the calendar year 2020. Judges will consider all aspects of an innovative new product/service, its USP, the potential for growth/competition and profitability. They’ll also be looking for companies building fantastic digital products and services or broader companies who have deployed digital solutions to overcome significant business challenges.
Manufacturing Award Sponsored by
This category recognises and highlights companies that are demonstrating manufacturing excellence with the importance on innovation, design, quality, efficiency, sales flair – and all the other skills needed to be a manufacturing winner. Judges will be looking for examples of how the business has adapted to the changing marketplace, its strategy for the future, sustainability, investment in people and equipment, manufacturing innovation, sales performance and growth prospects, and markets served. Examples of overcoming manufacturing difficulties, driving technology and productivity development and competing in tough market places will be relevant to the judges.
Services Award
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This award recognises professional service organisations that have demonstrable strength in service excellence, service differentiation, business growth and innovation. Judges will be looking to identify a service company that has achieved and exceeded quantifiable business goals while delivering a market leading service to their customers.
Heart of the Community Award Sponsored by
This award celebrates excellence in corporate, social and ethical activity, and seeks to identify those organisations which best exemplify the social and community spirit which is at the core of North East culture. The judges will pay particular attention to evidence of contribution to the overall well-being of the community, its environment and general quality of life. They will also look for projects that can demonstrate working in partnership with their local neighbours and community, projects which contribute to the economic regeneration of the region, and using positive influence to support suppliers and other partners to adopt best environmental, workplace and community practice.
Covid-19 Response Award
This award will go to a business who went the 'extra mile' throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The winner will have demonstrated excellence under pressure that not only helped their own company but also benefited business or communities during this time. Judges will be looking for businesses who have demonstrated courage, conviction and a commitment to producing a flexible model that showed pride and a passion to help others during the pandemic.
Company of the Year
- Northumberland and Tyneside Company of the Year Sponsored by
- Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside Company of the Year
- Teesside Company of the Year
The winners of the above three awards will then go head-to head for the title of:
North East Company of the Year Sponsored by
The awards recognise outstanding performances by highly successful North East businesses throughout the year. The judges are looking for businesses that have that something special, are admired throughout the business community and from which other businesses can all learn. Previous winners have been characterised by excellence in their product or service; achieved a strong or growing market share in their chosen niche; successfully turned around a dying or slow moving company; used innovative approaches; set up a major new operation bringing it into production at a high level of efficiency; successfully pioneered new markets; re-aligned the business to ensure survival in a highly competitive market.
The closing date for entries is July 2 at 3pm. To enter, visit
The will take place at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, on Thursday, September 23.
To buy tickets or settle any queries:
- Email: lesley.hampson@reachplc.com or
- Call: 0191 2016435.