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Finalists named for 2025 entrepreneurial awards

The Entrepreneurs’ Forum has revealed the finalists for its annual Entrepreneurial Awards, which celebrate the most inspiring and impactful business leaders from across the North East.

Winners will be revealed at the Entrepreneurial Awards dinner on Thursday, September 18 at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, a flagship event open to the entire North East business community.

Hosted by Jo Darby, founder of Voice in the Room, the event will feature live on-stage interviews, personal stories, and, for the first time ever, will conclude with an official after-party at PILGRIM, open to all attendees.

The One to Watch Award, supported by UMi, recognises an entrepreneur who is building a business with exceptional potential while making a positive impact on the region. This year’s finalists are Alex and Ross Longton, Tiba Tempeh; Victoria Taylor, Probe Industries; Stewart Dickson, Weardale Lithium; Jonny and Antonia Philp, Nursem; Kayleigh Laverick, Mamma Social Co. and Chris Wood, Tanglewood Games.

The Impact Award celebrates entrepreneurs who are using business as a force for good. Recognising resilient and inclusive companies contributing to the improvement of the North East and aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, this year’s finalists include Nicki Clark OBE, UMi; Sam Spoors, Talentheads and Nicola Wood, The Wonderful Wig Company.

The Caroline Theobald Award, supported by RTC North, is chosen by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum board and honours an individual who gives their time generously to mentor, inspire and support others. This year’s finalists include Richard Bradley, Dyer Engineering; Tania Cooper MBE, Steel Benders; Ammar Mirza CBE, AmmarM Group and Kate Cooper-Fay, Cooper-Fay Harris.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award, supported by Ward Hadaway, recognises a founder who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, resilience and innovation in building a high-growth business that delivers economic impact across the region. This year’s finalists include Brinsley Sheridan, RE:GEN Group; Mark Thompson, Ryder Architecture; Lee Hartley, Fairstone Group and Dr Arnab Basu MBE, Kromek.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, supported by House Seven, is the Forum’s most prestigious honour and is awarded by the board to someone who has made a long-standing and significant contribution to entrepreneurship in the North East. Previous recipients include Sir Peter Vardy, Dame Margaret Barbour and Sir John Hall. This year’s recipient will be announced on the night.

Congratulating this year’s finalists, Elaine Stroud, Forum chief executive, said: “Every year I’m blown away by the talent, creativity and resilience of our region’s entrepreneurs, and this year’s finalists are no exception. From breakthrough ideas to purposeful impact, our finalists are building the future of the North East.

“Our awards night is a chance to celebrate their journeys and the energy in the room is always something special.”

The Entrepreneurial Awards are a core part of the Forum’s mission to bring ambitious founders together to connect, have fun and be inspired. This year they are supported by RTC North, UMi, Ward Hadaway, House Seven and Maven. Further sponsorship opportunities are available.

Tickets are open to all across the North East business community and can be purchased on the Forum’s website.

For more information or to book tickets, visit entrepreneursforum.net/awards  

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Entrepreneurs' Forum .