North East women honoured at business awards

The region’s most inspiring women and businesses were celebrated at the North East Chamber of Commerce’s Inspiring Females Awards, held at Newcastle Civic Centre on 29 November in front of 400 guests.

Now in its fourth year, the awards, hosted by BBC senior journalist Charlie Charlton, highlighted exceptional contributions across categories such as Outstanding Contribution to the North East, Most Inspiring Employer, Apprentice of the Year and, new for 2024, Community and CSR Inspiring Female of the Year Charity Award. 

Dame Norma Redfearn DBE, mayor of North Tyneside, received the Outstanding Contribution to the North East award for her dedication to public service. Alison Dunn, chief executive officer of Society Matters Group, was named Business Leader of the Year for her inspirational work tackling inequality and driving meaningful change for disadvantaged communities.

On receiving her award, Dame Norma said: “I don’t have the words to say. I’m so amazed. I want to say to the women here today, you’re all truly amazing. This is a region of amazing talent; I hear it every day.  

“It’s important we give people the opportunity to showcase their talents. Just keep going, believe in yourself and make this North East region the best it can be.”  

Other winners included Juliet Sanders of Feeding Families and Tara Mackings of Tailored Leisure for their transformative work in food aid and promoting inclusivity, respectively. Dr Lucy Reynolds, founder of We Are All Disabled CIC, was named Most Inspiring Female in the small business category, while Isobel Moore of Joslin Rhodes won Apprentice of the Year. Vijayalakshmi Subramani received the One to Watch award for creating SENDelight Gifts, which provides affordable, high-quality sensory tools for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Meanwhile, Hollie Smith from the Great North Air Ambulance Service was honoured as Inspiring Female for the large business category for her efforts in championing women in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service and advancing pre-hospital emergency care. Womble Bond Dickinson’s Jenny Elgie was highly commended in the same category.

Female entrepreneurs trading internationally were also celebrated, with Cleveland Cable Company’s Justine Cook winning the Inspiring Female international business award.

Special recognition awards went to Dr Alex Shirley, posthumously honoured for her two decades at charity Changing Lives, and to Nadine Hudspeth from Gateshead College.

Nexus and HTG were also recognised as Most Inspiring Employers for large and small businesses, respectively, highlighting their roles in fostering talent and creating opportunities across the region.

Ashley Carney, Chamber events manager, said: “A huge congratulations to all of the inspiring women who won an award, and to everyone who was nominated – we’re proud to shine a light on your amazing achievements.”

Newcastle International Airport was the associate sponsor of the event, while the award categories were sponsored by Hartlepool College, Intuit, Handelsbanken, NRG, Hargreaves, Utilita Arena Newcastle, Prima Cheese and Palintest. Hargreaves also sponsored the drinks reception.

Alice Andreasen, chief sustainability and communications officer at Newcastle International Airport, added: “It is a privilege to be surrounded by so many extraordinary women here today.

“Together we are playing an instrumental role in shaping the North East’s workforce as well as paving the way for the benefit of current and future generations.

“At Newcastle Airport we pride ourselves on being a diverse and inclusive business, that’s why we are delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Chamber Inspiring Females Awards.”

Deborah Walton, Chamber president and chief financial officer at Palintest, also added: “Our Inspiring Females programme is one of the most prominent areas of our events programme and has grown significantly over the years.

“To have 400 people in the room today is testament to that.  

“We’re proud to recognise truly inspiring women across the North East business community, those who make a difference in their field, to their businesses and colleagues, to their community and to our great region.

“A massive well done to all of our winners today, and to those who were nominated. You’re all making such a significant and valued contribution to the North East, and I know I’ve been very inspired and touched to hear your stories.”

During the evening, guests were treated to a performance by Gateshead College students, alongside a special inclusive presentation by True Colours, a theatre school and charity that teaches dance and theatre skills to 500 children and young adults each week, many of whom have disabilities and learning needs.

The Chamber’s next Business Awards will take place in June 2025 at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. 

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