The NET 250 returns to celebrate North East's dynamic businesses

The NET 250 is back – and bigger and bolder than before.

The North East’s premier celebration of business excellence will return in 2026 to once again shine a spotlight on the region’s most dynamic and successful companies.

And Bdaily publisher and event organiser NET is delighted to reveal national professional services firm Knights as the headline partner for the showpiece ceremony.

Celebrating the organisations driving financial growth while innovating in an exciting new era of devolution, The NET 250 – compiled from Companies House accounts and business websites – will reveal the North East’s top 250 firms by turnover.

Those organisations – researched in partnership with Newcastle University Business School and verified by PwC – will be unveiled at an exclusive breakfast event on Thursday, May 14 at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, between 8.30am and 11.30am.

Launched last year at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, the showpiece ceremony celebrated the region’s software developers, builders, manufacturers, subsea operators, professional services firms, transport businesses, process sector companies, trade hubs and more that are delivering tomorrow’s successes today.

And the 2026 event – which is also backed by award partners S&W, Hill Dickinson and PwC – will build on that, with a number of new and exciting award categories set to be unveiled to recognise more organisations from Northumberland to Teesside.

Those accolades will include honours for the top company in the North East, as well as fresh awards for the highest new entrant and the highest climber.

The 2026 ceremony will also feature the judges’ select award, a new honour that will celebrate an organisation’s financial successes, as well as its wider impact.

Steven Hugill, NET editor-in-chief and host of The NET 250 ceremony, says: “We’re delighted to be delivering the event once again.

“Last year’s ceremony was a huge success, with incredible interest in The NET 250 list, and we’re very excited to be returning with a bigger and better programme. 

“We’re also thrilled to have Knights join us as headline partner for the event.

“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.

“The NET 250 builds on that commitment.”

Kenton Bazeley, Knights’ client services director, adds: “Partnering with The NET 250 is a statement of intent for us in the North East.

“Our teams in Newcastle and Teesside are growing, backed by our unrivalled nationwide team of professionals.

“Such a prestigious event is a great place for us to forge even closer ties with our region’s businesses.

“We're really looking forward to celebrating those at the forefront of our vibrant and creative business community.

“It promises to be a great event.”

Dr Fiona Whitehurst, Newcastle University Business School associate dean for engagement and place, says it is thrilled to be working on The NET 250 again.

She says: “We are delighted to continue our partnership on The NET 250, as it reflects our shared commitment to championing the North East's business landscape. 

“Last year’s event was spectacular, and we were delighted our students, under close academic supervision, played an integral part in the research. 

“We have lined up an excellent team of students to succeed last year’s team, and we’re excited they will be researching some new categories for the 2026 event.”

Richard Podd, PwC North East market senior partner, adds: “It is an absolute pleasure to be working with NET and Newcastle University Business School again on this event.

“PwC is incredibly proud of our heritage in the region and the variety of businesses we have supported over the years.

“This event is an opportunity for the whole business community to participate in and celebrate regional success stories and put North East business on the map.”

• For more information about The NET 250 sponsorship packages, and to buy your ticket for the May breakfast event, contact NET event manager Dawn Owens at dawn@netimesmagazine.co.uk or call 07789 666437. Alternatively, email fellow NET event manager Lesley Hampson at lesley@netimesmagazine.co.uk or call 07748 908058.

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