Member Article

High-flying business boss reaches new heights

A HIGH-FLYING Chairman is celebrating an impressive win at the prestigious IoD Director of the Year Awards.

Dan Robinson, Chairman of Gus Robinson Developments, took away North East SME Director of the Year, amid stiff competition from other business leaders.

The Teesside-based construction firm was taken over by Dan in 2012 after the tragic passing of his father Gus Robinson.

He said: “It is such an honour to be receiving this title, especially up against such tough competition. It really shows how far the business has come.

“I took over a business back in 2012 which needed overhauling from top to bottom. We had an excellent reputation for quality work and great people and that has never changed. But the strategy of the business needed thoroughly changing and that has what has been happening for the past three years.”

Dan has restructured Gus Robinson Developments with a clear focus on larger-scale building projects particularly within the social housing sector.

In recent years the company has worked with the likes of Thirteen, Derwentside Homes, Northstar Housing and ISOS Housing to deliver, quality, sustainable housing across the North East.

Dan added: “To be commended for my work and win North East SME Director of the Year is a great feeling and I cannot wait to head to the National Finals later this year.”

The black-tie awards ceremony hosted by the Institute of Directors was attended by more than 160 guests at the Hilton Sheffield hotel in Victoria Quays and compered by BBC Look North presenter Tanya Arnold.

Graham Robb, North East chairman of the IoD, said: “Daniel Robinson was new to the regional business scene a few years ago but has been warmly embraced as one of the most effective and hard-working directors there is. He has turned around a very difficult situation at his family construction firm and developed an innovative and exciting new product in a different sector too.

“His passion, drive and ability has made a real difference to the employees of his businesses and will be successful in enhancing the North east’s economy.”

Judges chose Dan as the winner ahead of Pete Watson from Atlas Cloud, Stewart McNicholl from AMS Asbestos Management Services and Dean Benson from Visualsoft UK.

Natalie Sykes, Regional Director of the IoD, said: “Dan is a shining example of what is achievable in business through leadership, belief, innovation and foresight. His success is all the more impressive given the tragic death of his father. Along with our other winners, Dan will now go forward to the national IoD Director of the Year awards, where he will compete against winners from across the UK.

Gus Robinson Developments, which is based in Hartlepool, can add this latest accolade to its collection after being reaccredited for a Business in the Community Big Tick 2015.

The accreditation has been re-awarded for the company’s work in inspiring new talent through its Gus Robinson Foundation, which aims to support young people on the pathway to successful careers in engineering, academic studies or sport.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Publicity Seekers .