The winner of the main prize at last year’s North East Business Awards has called on companies around the region to enter the event.
Gateshead firm Aspire Technology Solutions was named North East Company of the Year last September in a ceremony delayed and held remotely due to the pandemic.
Shortly afterwards, the firm announced a move to new offices on the banks of the Tyne, and managing director Chris Fraser said being named Company of the Year had both galvanised staff and raised the company’s standing in its marketplace.
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He said: “Winning the North East Business of the Year is amongst the highlights in our 15 years of growth. It’s such a fantastically supported event – with great competitors, sponsors and judges.
“It means so much to all of our people, the sense of pride they get from being recognised on such a prestigious platform has created a great sense of togetherness at a time when physical proximity between colleagues is such a challenge.
“News of the win is something we’ve really enjoyed sharing with our customers. We’re a proud North East business, as are a huge number of our clients. To be acknowledged in such fashion means the world.
“The enthusiasm it has created has been a fantastic contributor to another year of record sales and growth at Aspire and helped us to attract incredibly talented people to join the Aspire family.
“I would encourage everyone to get involved in the awards, there are a huge variety of great categories and I can’t wait to hear about the achievements of the companies who will be competing.”
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Entries have opened for this year’s awards, with organisers hoping that the gradual lifting of restrictions in society will mean that a live event can be held.
The normal sub-regional heats held in three parts of the region have been scrapped, however, and instead the awards will focus on a single final due to be held at Hardwick Hall in County Durham on September 23.
Some event categories have also been changed to reflect the challenging year faced by all businesses in the region, and the application process has been simplified.
This year’s categories are:
- Newcomer of the Year
(sponsored by ) - Small Business Award
- Apprenticeship, Training and Skills Award
(sponsored by ) - High Growth and Ambition Award
(sponsored by - Innovation and Technology Award
(sponsored by ) - Manufacturing Award
(sponsored by) - Services Award
- Heart of the Community Award
(sponsored by - Covid-19 Response Award
- Northumberland and Tyneside Company of the Year
(sponsored by - Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside Company of the Year
- Teesside Company of the Year
- North East Company of the Year
(sponsored by)
is headline sponsor for this year’s event, while Sage is associate sponsor.
More details are available at our website nebusinessawards.co.uk. You can also follow updates and more on social media using #nebizawards 21.
Business can enter a maximum of three categories but entries must relate to activity during 2020.
The company of the year categories will be decided from direct entries to those categories but judges may also consider entries to other categories.
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Awards are open to companies and organisations of all sizes with a significant presence in any part of the North East.
The closing date for entries is July 2 at 3pm. Nominations should be made online at nebusinessawards.co.uk
Queries can be answered by the Reach North East Events Team on 0191 2016435 or by emailing lesley.hampson@reachplc.com.
The awards dinner will be held at Hardwick Hall in Sedgefield on September 23.
Tickets can be obtained from Lesley Hampson at Reach Events on 0191 2016435 or by emailing lesley.hampson@reachplc.com.