NET 250 - The North East’s leading 250 companies. Revealed.

From railway pioneers to soot-covered miners, colossal seafaring vessels and roaring steel furnaces, the North East has long been a beacon of industrial purpose and progress.

That enterprising spirit and identity endures today, with firms across multiple sectors driving meaningful change in an increasingly sustainable and tech-focused world.

And as a multi-platform publisher set in the very heart of this thriving landscape, we are delighted to unveil NET 250, a campaign dedicated to celebrating the successes of the region’s vibrant business community.

Spotlighting the companies driving financial growth while innovating in an exciting new era of devolution, NET 250 – compiled from publicly-available data, with information taken from Companies House accounts and business websites – will reveal the North East’s top 250 firms by turnover.

Those firms – researched in partnership with Newcastle University Business School and verified by PwC – will be unveiled at an exclusive breakfast event on Wednesday, May 14 at Gateshead’s Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, between 8.30am and 11.30am.

From software developers to builders and manufacturers, subsea operators, professional services firms, transport and process sector companies, trade hubs and more, NET 250 will showcase the organisations delivering tomorrow’s successes today.

Crowning the North East’s number one business in front of a select audience, the showpiece will also award accolades to companies with the highest turnover in Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham and Tees Valley.

Further awards will be presented to the region’s top privately-owned business and the most recently founded company.

Steven Hugill, NET editor-in-chief, says: “The North East is a fantastically innovative and ambitious region, and NET 250 perfectly reflects that, showcasing the businesses making terrific strides across numerous sectors.

“As a multi-platform publisher deeply embedded in the North East, we have championed the region for years, celebrating its entrepreneurs and commercial success stories while casting an analytical eye across the legislative landscape to advocate further positive change.

“NET 250 builds on that commitment.

“At a crucial time for the region, where headline devolution deals have put more power into local hands, NET 250 will highlight the businesses making significant strides and the opportunities that exist to foster new commercial connections.”

NET 250 offers a number of exclusive sponsorship opportunities to help your business gain visibility alongside the region’s top 250 organisations. 

The campaign has already attracted international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson and Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland as category sponsors.

And by joining NET 250, you too can position your brand at the forefront of innovation, growth and success, reaching new audiences across NET’s flagship platforms.

Steven adds: “NET 250 will help your business grow across – and beyond – the North East.

“Through extensive coverage across NET’s flagship print product N magazine, its sister N website and its national daily business news platform Bdaily, NET 250 will showcase your organisation to new audiences across the UK.”

Dr Fiona Whitehurst, Newcastle University Business School associate dean – engagement and place, says: “The partnership between Newcastle University Business School and NET reflects our shared commitment to championing the North East’s business landscape.

“By collaborating with NET and PwC to produce NET 250, we've been able to provide valuable insights into the region’s economic performance.

“The project gave our students the opportunity to gain data research and financial analysis skills, and ensures they understand the practical realities of the regional business environment they may one day work in.”

Aidan Beck, New­castle University Business School lecturer in accounting – and supervisor to the students researching NET 250, says: “This was an interesting research project, completed to a challenging timeframe.

“I enjoyed supervising the students as they tackled the work; it has real meaning and will be of benefit to companies across the North East.”

Richard Podd, PwC North East market senior partner, adds: “We’re delighted to be partnering with NET again to produce NET 250, which showcases a host of successful businesses operating in various sectors and industries across the North East.

“As a firm, we’re looking forward to continuing to support the region by helping our local clients solve challenges and realise their growth ambitions.”

For more information about NET 250 sponsorship packages, contact:

Dawn Owens – dawn@netimesmagazine.co.uk | 07789 666437

Lesley Hampson – lesley@netimesmagazine.co.uk | 07748 908058

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →