Cream of South Tyneside businesses gear up for awards

The shortlist for the South Tyneside Business Awards 2013 has been announced, and 17 firms are in the running.

Awards organisers say they make a formidable line up and reflect the best of the borough’s business community – and that individually they also shine.

They range from the multi-million pound enterprises on the international stage to a village shop and café.

Cllr Michael Clare, Lead Member for Regeneration and Economy of South Tyneside Council - which has organised the business awards alongside South Tyneside Business Forum - said he was delighted at the superb standard of entries into the second annual celebration of entrepreneurship.

He added: “Each business shortlisted represents all that is best about South Tyneside. The awards promise to be tremendously competitive this year.”

Businesses will compete in six categories, with two other awards – Overall Business of the Year, decided from the winners of each of the six categories - and the Special Award, given to an individual who has achieved success and made a real impact in the business community.

The Newcomer of the Year award will be fought over by Italian restaurant Tavistock Retro, renewable energy firm Advanced Renewable Power Ltd, and Wellblade Ltd, a specialist recruiter in the offshore oil and gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, renewable, nuclear and power generation sectors.

Competing in the Manufacturer of the Year category is marine engineering and design firm Houlder; established fire surrounds, fires and heating equipment specialists, Be Modern Group; and Ford Component Manufacturing Limited, which operates in the automotive and high-technology sectors.

Recruitment firm Zenith People, training provider Expedient Training Service Limited, and Nissan car dealership Vic Young, will also compete to be named Service Company of the Year.

In the Environmental Business of the Year category, Happy Organic, an organic and natural food store and café, Advanced Renewable Power Ltd, and Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle - a charity which helps people and organisations make changes to create better neighbourhoods and build skills and job prospects - have been shortlisted.

Real-time performance marketing firm Performance Horizon, creative design agency Urban River, software house Nine, and online training solutions provider e-Quality Learning, will all compete for the Most Innovative Business award.

And Apprentices from scuba diving and first aid training specialist Arbeia Training, Zenith People Ltd, and Bede’s World, are shortlisted in the Apprentice of the Year section.

The business awards recognise the cream of South Tyneside’s thriving and innovative businesses community and celebrate the rich success it brings.

Entries for the showcase event, which take place at South Shields Foreshore on Thursday, September 12, have now closed.

Judges are Richard Ord, owner of Colmans Fish and Chips; Susan Wear, Corporate Affairs Director, of Port of Tyne; Andy Ray, Senior Building Manager, Willmott Dixon; Gavin Finlayson, Chief Operating Officer, BT South Tyneside; Austin Robson, Partner Channel Manager, Utilitywise; Siemens director Des Young; David Cramond, South Tyneside Council’s Corporate Director of Economic Regeneration; and Len Stule, Director of External Funding, South Tyneside College.

In 2012 South Shields-based high-tech firm MCPS Limited won the inaugural and coveted Business of the Year award.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →