Partner Article

Shortlist announced for STEP awards

Shortlisted companies for the South Tyneside Enterprise Partnership (STEP) Awards were announced last week. Hopeful entrants have been whittled down to the final 13 ahead of the Awards night on Thursday 3 July at the Quality Hotel in Boldon.

Winners from each of the eight categories will pick up a cheque for £1,000 with the overall Business of the Year picking up a further £2,500.

STEP chairman Geoff Ford said: “The Awards are in their 11th year and the entries are becoming stronger and stronger. We have an exceptional field of entries and judging was by far the hardest we have ever experienced.”

Making up the judging panel were members of South Tyneside Council and representatives from the Tyneside Economic Development Company and the private sector.

Geoff said: “Some of the companies that were not short-listed this time, probably would have been in previous years. I know that is no consolation to them but it is testament to the quality of businesses in South Tyneside. Just to be short-listed is a major accolade and should bring real kudos to those businesses.”

Geoff is also chairman of Ford Component Manufacturing, one of the short-listed companies, but he was keen to point out he had no say in his company’s achievement.

He said: “I sat on the judging panel but when that category came up I not only left the room but left the building, until the process was fully completed. I want this judging process to be completely transparent and all of those who entered should know it is completely fair.”

The short-listed companies are: Cell Pack Solutions, Cottam Brush, Ford Component Manufacturing, Gary Craig Architectural Services, JAG Productions, L’amour Bridal, Moneygate, Opus Building Services, Tharsus Engineering, Training in Childcare, Rohm & Haas (UK), Walkeazy and Westoe Travel.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .