All of The Northern Echo BUSINESSiQ Awards 2025 winners
Held in partnership with key regional sponsors including Tees Valley Combined Authority, University of Sunderland, and Cummins, the awards, held at Wynyard Hall, near Stockton, recognised outstanding achievements across a range of sectors last night (April 11).
Trew Surveying triumphed in the New Business of the Year category, impressing judges with its rapid growth and impact.
All of the winners at the award ceremony on Friday (April 11) (Image: Chris BOOTH) Middlesbrough College took home the Employee Health and Wellbeing Award, recognised for its outstanding commitment to staff welfare and mental health.
The Community Impact Award, sponsored by Karbon Homes, went to Dogger Bank Wind Farm, whose investment in local communities continues to deliver meaningful change.
In the creative sphere, renowned artist Lucy Pittaway was named Creative Business of the Year, celebrating her artistic success and business acumen.
On the path to sustainability, Cummins claimed the Net Zero Award, showcasing its leadership in green innovation, and was also honoured as Business of the Year, rounding off a stellar night for the global engineering firm.
Winner of the Inspirational Leader of the Year Award, John McCabe (Image: Chris BOOTH) North East Autism Society received the Diversity & Inclusion Award for its empowering work across the region.
Innovation was also front and centre as PROTO was crowned winner in the Innovation Award category for its tech-forward approach.
Cell Pack Solutions emerged as the Export Champion, while South West Durham Training secured the Training and Skills Award, highlighting their excellence in upskilling the region’s workforce.
The evening concluded with an award for John McCabe, named Inspirational Leader of the Year, honouring his influential leadership and commitment to regional development.
BUSINESSiQ Editor Mike Hughes said after the event last night: “Well, that certainly lived up to all of our expectations.
“We worked so hard to secure partners like Amazon and Wynyard Hall to make sure this event – only the third BUSINESSiQ Awards we have held – was something special.
“So to see it all come together so well, and more than 250 of the region’s most influential business people so energised by the occasion and so ready to celebrate what is going on here was genuinely inspiring.
“Huge thanks to Wynyard and Amazon for doing so much to make it a success. Now to start planning the 2026 event.”
Amazon regional director for the North East Richard Thompson said: “We’re delighted to sponsor these awards and to have so many talented businesses in one room.
“The North East is such a strong region to do business, and helping support these awards that champion this business means a lot.”
The full list of winners at The Northern Echo BUSINESSiQ Awards:
- New Business of the Year – Trew Surveying
- Employee Health and Wellbeing Award – Middlesbrough College
- Community Impact Award – Dogger Bank Wind Farm
- Creative Business of the Year – Lucy Pittaway
- Net Zero Award – Cummins
- Diversity & Inclusion Award – North East Autism Society
- Innovation Award – PROTO
- Export Champion Award – Cell Pack Solutions
- Training and Skills Award – South West Durham Training
- Business of the Year – Cummins
- Inspirational Leader of the Year – John McCabe