North East Business Awards Return to Honour Regional Excellence

The prestigious North East Business Awards are making a triumphant return to celebrate the very best of the region's dynamic business community. Now entering their 26th year, these awards continue to shine a spotlight on innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, and creativity, while also recognising the individuals who are making a significant impact across the North East.

A Legacy of Celebration and Recognition

Following a landmark 25th anniversary celebration last year, the awards are set to build on this legacy by honouring outstanding achievements. Winners will be selected across 10 distinct categories, with entries divided into three geographical areas: Northumberland and Tyneside; Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside; and Teesside. Area winners will be announced later this year through various regional media outlets, including ChronicleLive, TeessideLive, BusinessLive, The Journal, and The Gazette on Teesside.

The grand final, where these area winners will compete for the overall titles, is scheduled to take place on October 1 at the Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield. This event promises to be a highlight of the regional business calendar, bringing together the finest talent from across the North East.

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

Inspiring Past Winners and New Partnerships

Last year's awards saw County Durham-based technology firm Filtronic crowned North East Business of the Year, following a period of remarkable growth driven by its cutting-edge radio frequency technology. This innovation even attracted the attention of Elon Musk's SpaceX. Other notable winners included Opencast, Active Families North East, Osbit, and Just Williams, showcasing the incredible breadth and diversity of talent thriving in the region.

For the 2026 awards, Tyneside software giant Sage returns as the headline partner, with Newcastle University joining as an associate partner. They are supported by category partners Made Smarter and Northumbrian Water, while global management consulting firm Oliver Wyman comes on board as a new partner this year, adding further prestige to the event.

Commitment to Supporting Business Growth

Lubna Quraishi, VP of performance marketing, EMEA, at Sage, expressed her enthusiasm: "With our global headquarters rooted in the North East, we're proud to continue our support of the North East Business Awards and by sponsoring the Startup Award. Startups sit at the heart of our focus at Sage - they bring fresh ideas, bold thinking and energy to the economy. We're committed to backing founders with the tools, technology and support they need to turn ambition into sustainable growth, and we're excited to celebrate the region's most promising new businesses."

Estelle Blanks, director of business development and enterprise at Newcastle University, added: "I'm delighted that we are part of the North East Business Awards again this year. Over the coming months, Newcastle University will be moving to a new model that will make it even easier for businesses and the University to work together. Innovation thrives across organisational boundaries, and we will continue to play our role in fostering an ecosystem where research, education, innovation and business support one another. When we collaborate to unlock new ideas and opportunities, the whole region benefits - and the Business Awards are a great way to celebrate that."

A Quarter-Century of Business Excellence

Journal editor Graeme Whitfield reflected on the awards' enduring significance: "The Business Awards have now been a fixture on the regional business calendar for more a quarter of a century. But after all that time, we're still finding great companies to reward for the first time, as well as established firms who keep on doing brilliant things. There is no better event for celebrating the best of our region's amazing companies and the people who work for them. I know from going to the awards over many years that winning – or even just taking part – can mean so much to boosting staff morale and raising businesses' profile. I hope as many companies as possible enter the awards so we can really highlight our great firms to the widest possible audience."