North East Entrepreneurial Awards 2019

2019 NORTH EAST

ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS FRIDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 2019 HILTON NEWCASTLE GATESHEAD HOTEL

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WELCOME

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TO THE 2019 NORTH EAST ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS We’re delighted to welcome you to the 2019 North East Entrepreneurial Awards!

In particular, we would like to welcome all of the business owners and their families to the ceremony, which is held to honour entrepreneurs’ achievements and the outstanding contribution they make to our region’s prosperity.

Since 2004, we have toasted some of the region’s biggest and best business successes and tonight will be no different, sharing inspirational stories of entrepreneurial achievement with a whole lot of fun.

Nominations this year have been incredible and we think you’ll be astounded by the impact each of our finalists has had on their businesses and teams, so please sit back, enjoy the evening and celebrations!

TONIGHT’S PROGRAMME Drinks reception Supported by Westray Recruitment Welcome Graham Robb Vice-Chairman of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum Tonight’s entertainment Acropolis World Champion Gymnasts Our host Steve Cram CBE, British Athletics Legend Awards partner Lee Hartley, CEO of Fairstone Group Charity partner COCO (Comrades of Children Overseas)

Starter Asian Spiced Duck Confit Terrine with Golden Beetroot Chutney Warm Northumberland Nettle Cheese Tart with Golden Beetroot Chutney (V) Emerging Talent Award Supported by North East Growth Hub Mentor of the Year Award Supported by Malhotra Group Main Course Beef Brisket, Brisket Bon-bon, Roasted Heritage Carrots and Fine Beans with Thyme Roasted Fondant Potato Wild Mushroom Ravioli with a Cream Sauce (V)

Scale-up Award Supported by IA Growth Entrepreneur of the Year Award Supported by Ward Hadaway Lifetime Achievement Award Supported by Brewin Dolphin Dessert Rich Chocolate Pavé, Raspberry Meringue and Macerated Berries followed by coffee and tea Bar closes at 1am

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THANK YOU! We’d like to say a huge thank you to each of our partners and this evening’s sponsors. Without their commitment and support for North East entrepreneurship, we wouldn’t be able to do any of the things we do - including host this evening!

HEADLINE SPONSOR

EMERGING TALENT AWARD

Fairstone is a full-service wealth management house delivering intelligent solutions for the lifetime financial journey of its clients. As one of the UK’s largest Chartered financial planning firms, Fairstone’s team of financial advisers offer independent financial advice, investment management and estate planning services.

Fairstone’s clients are at the centre of everything it does and as a result, they are the number one rated wealth management house on TrustPilot.

Delivered by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, the North East Growth Hub is all about providing North East businesses with the access to finance and business solutions that they need to reach their full potential. It offers an online database of business support, finance, events and toolkits along with tailored programmes specifically designed to give businesses the specialist support they need to grow including their Scaleup North East and Supply Chain North East programmes.

Headquartered in Newcastle, Fairstone has 48 locations nationwide and over 500 highly qualified advisers and members of staff who service 57,000 clients that collectively hold over £8.1bn in investment and pension assets.

@GrowthHubNE​​​​​​​​ northeastgrowthhub.co.uk

@FairstoneGroup fairstone.co.uk

MENTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Since 1991, Malhotra Group PLC, part of the Malhotra Family Holdings, has grown and diversified from a small family business into a large organisation employing over 1,100 people.

Ward Hadaway provide specialist, commercially focused legal advice to entrepreneurs, companies and organisations across a wide range of sectors to help them meet their goals and fulfil their ambitions.

Committed to a continual and sustainable growth plan, they are firmly based in the North East and successfully own and operate a specialised group of care home facilities, a national property investment portfolio and a leisure arm, incorporating hotels, restaurants and bars. @MalhotraGroup Malhotragroup.co.uk

SCALE-UP AWARD With a focus on integrity, impact, individuality and innovation, IA Growth uses the vast breadth of skills and its 100+ years of successful business experience of its team to deliver unbelievable strategic value to entrepreneurs and business owners through its low risk partnering approach.

Not only can they provide a disruptive approach to strategic sustainability, they can also help to develop business investment and investor confidence, build and deploy business growth plans, plan for exit and succession strategies, provide interim director and NED support, as well as offer executive and team coaching, mentoring, and talent profiling / analytics. @IAGrowth IAgrowth.co.uk

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As one of the UK’s Top 100 law firms, they can offer the strength in depth you need to help your business grow. To find out what they can do for you head to wardhadaway.com ​​​​​​​​

@WardHadaway wardhadaway.com

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Brewin Dolphin are one of the UK’s leading providers of personalised investment management and financial planning services. For nearly 120 years, we have been helping business owners in the North East with important issues such as pension planning, key man insurance, investments and inheritance tax planning, to name but a few.

In addition to our core service of wealth management, we have recently launched two services - BPS and Wealth Pilot - that are designed to help people with their finances earlier in life.​​​​​​​​ @brewindolphin​​​​​​​ brewin.co.uk

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PROGRAMME SPONSOR

NETWORKING SPONSOR

Stirring emotions, provoking reactions and capturing imaginations. Ithica Films grew from a flourishing digital sector in the Tees Valley, with a clear focus on crafting cinematic masterpieces for businesses with plenty of heart and soul. With an innovative, passionate award-winning team and a heart that lies in film-making, they tell extraordinary stories that people want to engage with. Believe in film.

Since its founding in 1990, Westray Recruitment Consultants has become a leading provider of recruitment solutions across the North East. Operating in a highly competitive market, this boutique consultancy is still the only recruitment business in the region to hold REC Audited Status, which is the Gold Standard in recruitment, proving their commitment to best practice and demonstrating robust and rigid compliance. Process-orientated and customer-focused, Westray’s aims are simple: to add value to every client they work with and to improve the industry’s perception by raising standards in recruitment.

@ithicafilms ithicafilms.com Event production and AV provided by

@WestrayRecruit westrayrecruitment.co.uk

OUR HOST STEVE CRAM CBE Steve Cram CBE is one of the world’s most successful middledistance athletes of all time. After making his major debut at the 1978 Commonwealth Games, he claimed six gold medals at the Commonwealth, European and World Championships, and, in the summer of 1985, set world records for the mile, 1500m and 2000m.

TONIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT Acropolis exist to raise funds for their club, Deerness Gymnastics Academy, which one faced closure and is now a volunteer-led charitable organisation in County Durham, providing grassroots sporting opportunities for many children and young people in the North East. Prepare to be wowed as Acropolis perform acrobatics combining incredible feats of strength, agility and bravery, with beautiful gymnastics and stunning choreography. This spectacular visual and captivating performance, from male and female international medalwinning acrobats, will literally take your breath away. @AcropolisLive acropolis-live.com

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Following his retirement from competitive athletics in 1994, Steve has moulded a career in media and broadcasting to rival most. As one of the BBC’s leading sports commentators and athletics experts, Steve regularly fronts a multitude of events including the Olympics, World Championships, Great North Run and the London Marathon.

His outstanding service to sport was recognised first in 1986, when Steve was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), and again in 2015, when he was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours.

Charity plays a large part in Steve’s life, particularly COCO (Comrades of Children Overseas), a charity he co-founded in 2000 with British Army Major Jim Panton. Since its founding, COCO has raised over £4.5 million to fund small, sustainable, community led initiatives which provide quality education to children living in poor and marginalised communities. COCO and its partners have now undertaken 66 transformational programmes in 16 countries, positively impacting the lives of over 600,000 people.

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SUPPORTING COCO

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

With so many people coming together we felt that we couldn’t miss the opportunity to do more good in the North East so, on your table this evening, you will find a charity envelope.

COCO is a charity that relies on donations and is very grateful to everyone who supports them financially. If you would like to know more about how they are funded and managed, simply visit www.coco.org.uk

Tonight, we are hoping to raise £5,000 for COCO (Comrades of Children Overseas) and it would be fantastic if you could make a donation to help this wonderful organisation.

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Family ticket to Alnwick Gardens

- ​£50 voucher for Pink Boutique

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£50 voucher for Aztec Diamond Equestrian

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Luxury hamper from Ringtons

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£50 voucher for Fenwick

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Overnight stay at Rockliffe Hall

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An individually numbered bottle of Reserve No. 1, signed by whisky maker Dhavall Gandhi (RRP £65)

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2x brewery tour vouchers from Tyne Bank Brewery

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Bed and breakfast stay at The Trout Hotel

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Afternoon tea for two at The Lakes Distillery Bistro, Bassenthwaite

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Malt tour for two at The Lakes Distillery

- ​Bed and breakfast stay at Wynyard Hall Hotel

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Collectables voucher

- ​Four ball at Rockliffe Hall

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Leather handbag care kit, courtesy of The Handbag Clinic

- ​Mini Micro deluxe Scooter (Micro Scooters)

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Signed Newcastle United FC shirt

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COCO provides sustainable sources of quality education to children living in poor and marginalised communities in East Africa. Since it was founded in 2000 by Steve Cram CBE, the charity has supported 66 transformational programmes in 16 countries, positively impacting the lives of over 600,000 people.

COCO is currently partnering with 16 communities across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda to develop Schools for Life, providing the skills and knowledge for communities to lift themselves out of poverty.

The funds raised this evening will support COCO’s small loans programme, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with a loan of as small as £20 to set up a small business. In the past, small loan recipients have increased their income by 50% within only 6 months, so that parents can provide for their families and contribute to school fees.

@coco_charity​​​ coco.org.uk

In return for your generosity, each person who donates will be entered into a raffle, with someone on from each table winning one of these fantastic prizes, all kindly donated by amazing local businesses:

- ​Electric toothbrush and whitening toothpaste from Whitewash Laboratories (RRP £140) Two course meal at William De Percy (Apartment Group)

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Maxi Micro deluxe foldable scooter (Micro Scooters)

£100, £60 and £40 voucher for Torro Cases

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£100 voucher for Torro Cases

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Afternoon tea for two at SIX, The Baltic

- ​£100 voucher for Funky Chunky Furniture

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2 x £100 Hays Travel vouchers

- ​Bed and breakfast stay at Hotel Indigo, Durham

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Selection of white and rose wine from Lanchester Wines

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Afternoon tea for two at the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, Durham

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Bed and breakfast stay at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead

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Afternoon tea for two at Jesmond Dene House

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Emirates Goodie Bag

- ​Luxury hamper from Lanchester Wines

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Voucher for Sweet Williams Floral Design

- ​£500 holiday voucher from Parkdean Resorts

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Luxury hamper from Beanies

Plus every table will win a £20 voucher for ‘As You Like It’ courtesy of The Apartment Group 8 | 2019 NORTH EAST ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS

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EMERGING TALENT

William Johnson TORRO Cases @torrocases

After identifying a gap in the tech accessory market for premium leather accessories, William Johnson and co-founder Michael Farnsworth handed in their notice at the police force and launched TORRO in 2014. With a seed capital of only £500, the brand was developed with a focus on using premium, genuine leather and with attention to detail with respect to design.

The TORRO brand has grown organically into a multi-million-pound leather lifestyle accessory brand which supplies hundreds of thousands of customers globally.

Finalists are all individuals who have built a business of outstanding potential, who have been trading for less than six years.

In partnership with

Kevin Johnston

Funky Chunky Furniture @FCF_Furniture Five years ago, skilled joiner Kevin Johnston spotted a gap in the home furnishings market for handcrafted solid wood furniture and shelving.

After converting the garage of his former home into a small workshop, Funky Chunky Furniture was formed. Over the last five years the team has grown from 1 to 20, but the business continues to design and make all its products at its manufacturing unit in Jarrow, South Tyneside. The rapid growth has been supported by investment in facilities, plant and a skilled and dedicated team. A team which, alongside Kevin, is determined that the business stays true to its founding principles of quality in design and craftsmanship, and a design aesthetic of chunky, solid furniture that is made to withstand the rigours of everyday family life.

Dan Martin Elmtronics @elmtronics

Dan Martin launched Elmtronics in 2014 with a van for an office and £500 investment. In just five years, Dan has grown Elmtronics from a small start-up supplier into a UK wide operation, working with some of the largest councils, NHS Trusts and private companies across the UK. As CEO, Dan is the visionary behind Elmtronic’s products and platform strategy, and has created a strong, positive company culture which empowers his growing team of experts to deliver world-class customer service and delivery.

THANK YOU TO OUR JUDGES:

Andy Briggs, Ben Gibson, Kieron Goldsborough and Katherine Hay-Heddle.

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SCALE-UP AWARD

Lawrence Brown

Royston Power Generation @RoystonDiesel Lawrence leads a talented team at Royston.

Their focus is on changing the nature of its business from being principally an aftermarket operator into a solutions business delivering digital products and services in a challenging market where environmental demands require new ideas. Their impressive business growth has been organic and made possible from developing the growth strategy into export markets supported by overseas bases and distributors.

Finalists are individuals who have led their company to achieve at least 20% annualised growth in either turnover, profit or employee numbers for the past three years.

In partnership with

Dan Foskett

Connection Flooring Dan Foskett founded Connection Flooring in 2012 and, along with his team, has built it into a National Flooring Retailer with over 15 stores throughout the UK. Headquartered in Durham, Connection Flooring compromises of 3 flooring brands, including Flooring Superstore, Direct Wood Flooring and Grass Direct, and offers wood flooring, artificial grass, rugs, vinyl, and carpets. To meet increasing demand, the company has invested in its own in-house delivery network, with 8 delivery depots across the UK and a fleet of over 60 vehicles. The company has ambitious plans to launch 15 additional stores in 2020 and is quickly establishing itself as a major employer in the North East, employing over 170 members of staff.

Toby Bridges NBT Group @TheNBTGroup

Toby took over The NBT Group, the 111-year old family business, during the recession of 2008. Following a difficult trading period and substantial changes in their market, Toby spent the first few years securing and then redesigning the business for its latest iteration. Moving away from being a purely adhesive tape distributor, The NBT Group pivoted to managing and then automating entire supply chains for their clients, and all based on state-of-the-art technology.

THANK YOU TO OUR JUDGES:

Kevin Brown, Colin Hewitt, Ian Richards and Lianne Walker MBE.

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ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Simon Bailes

Simon Bailes Peugeot @sbpeugeot Teesside-born Simon is the CEO of Simon Bailes Peugeot. Establishing the business in 1979, it has since expanded to include three franchised dealerships in Northallerton, Stockton and Guisborough, together with a state-of-the-art accident repair centre. An entrepreneur with other business interests, he is a member of the Institute of the Motor Industry as well as the Institute of Directors.

Finalists are all individuals who have led their business to strong growth in revenue and profits through innovation, teamwork and leadership skills.

In partnership with

Sara Davies

Crafter’s Companion @CraftersCompUK Crafter’s Companion was founded in 2005 by Sara Davies MBE, while she was studying for a business degree at York University. During a placement at a small craft company, Sara saw a gap in the market for a tool to create envelopes for handmade cards. With a little help from her father, Sara created The Enveloper and Crafter’s Companion was born. Today, Crafter’s Companion is a leading craft supplier and international retailer selling more than 10,000 products to across 40 different countries. It has a head office in Newton Aycliffe and Corona, California and employs almost 200 people worldwide. The company’s global turnover is approaching £33m and it aims to triple this amount within the next ten years.

Tony Cleary

Lanchester Wines @LanchesterWines Tony Cleary and his wife Veronica started Lanchester Wines from their living room in the village of Lanchester in 1980 and have since grown it into one of the UK’s leading suppliers of quality wines and spirits to the trade. Over the years, the Cleary’s portfolio has expanded and now includes several leading businesses including Greencroft Bottling and Lanchester Gifts. With sustainability at the heart of the Lanchester Group, plans are now underway to develop Greencroft Two, a building which will be powered entirely by the company’s onsite wind turbines and 1 million Watts of solar power.

THANK YOU TO OUR JUDGES:

Yvonne Bell, Russell Croisdale, Paul Callaghan CBE and Jo Robertson.

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MENTOR OF THE YEAR Selected for their outstanding contribution over the last twelve months to altruistically supporting the growth of fellow entrepreneurs’ businesses, the winner has been selected by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum board.

In partnership with

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Also carefully chosen by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum board from nominations, the recipient of our Lifetime Achievement award has been chosen for their huge commitment to business over a significant period of time and their major impact to the regional economy and community.

In partnership with

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Each year we celebrate the success of the region’s finest business minds. Take a look at who’s already made it into our North East Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame.

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

EMERGING TALENT

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

MENTOR OF THE YEAR

SCALE-UP AWARD

2018

Lianne Walker MBE, Walker Filtration

Jordan McCabe, Aztec Diamond Equestrian

Paul Callaghan CBE, Leighton Group

Pamela Petty, Entreprenising

Kevin Brown, Pacifica Group

2017

David Harrison, True Potential LLP

Steven Rawlingson, Samuel Knight International

Fred Hoult, Hoults Yard

Dr David Cliff, Gedanken

Ben Ridgway & Jamie Cooke, Intelligent Services Group

2016

John Waterworth, Parkdean Resorts

John Savage, Flame Heating Spares

John Fenwick, Fenwick Limited

James Robson, Alexander Jewitt & Co

2015

Geoff Thompson, Utilitywise

Alice Hall, Pink Boutique

Geoff Turnbull, GT Group

Alastair Waite, Altec Engineering

2014

Ian Watson, Hadrian Healthcare

David Lynch, Lynch Healthcare

Sir John Hall, Cameron Hall Developments

2013

Jeff Winn, Winn’s Solicitors

Rob Mathieson, AYO Digital

Sir Peter Vardy, The Vardy Group

2012

Bill Scott, Wilton Group

Brett Jacobson, Mediaworks

John Squires, Benfield Motor Group

2011

Phil Cronin, Tombola

Sara Davies, Crafter’s Companion

Anne Preston, Prestons of Potto

2010

Anne Ganley, Thompson Building Centres

Chris Peacock, Peacocks Medical Group

Bob Thompson, Pyeroy

2009

Graeme Lowdon, Nomad Digital

Greg Phillips, North East Bakery

Alan Reece, SMD

2008

Dr Tony Trapp, IHC Engineering Business

Lisa Hart Shepherd, Acritas

Michael Hogan, Esh Group

2007

Ian Baggett, Adderstone Group

Matthew James, UK Biometrics

2006

Mike Browne, ScS

Tarek Nseir, TH_NK

2005

Steven Bell, Bells Stores

2004

John Hays, Hays Travel

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THE SCALE-UP LEADER’S ACADEMY Great entrepreneurs are not great because they started a business, they’re great because they were able to scale it.

The Scale-up Leader’s Academy combines practical workshops, scale-up coaching, inspirational events and the opportunity to learn from those who have been there and done it before, helping you to build a blueprint that will accelerate your growth sustainably.

THE FACTS INTAKE 15 entrepreneurs DATES January to June 2020

Find out more about the Scale-up Leader’s Academy at our upcoming preview events:

LOCATION Across North East England

Thursday 26th September 1pm - 2.30pm Brewin Dolphin, Newcastle

PARTICIPANT PROFILE Founders of growing North East businesses with at least 10 members of staff

Friday 27th September 9am - 10.30am Business Central, Darlington

Funding of 30%-40% available subject to conditions’

Our preview events are open to all ambitious businesses based in the North East.

COST £3,000 +VAT

To find out more about the Academy and to apply, visit entrepreneursforum.net/scale-up 18 | 2019 NORTH EAST ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS

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Proud to be partnered by:

We’re stronger together:

0191 500 7780 info@entrepreneursforum.net entrepreneursforum.net 20 | 2019 NORTH EAST ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS

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