AV Dawson Celebrates Community Business of the Year Win at Chamber Awards
AV Dawson, owner and operator of the Port of Middlesbrough, is celebrating after being named Community Business of the Year at the North East of England Chamber of Commerce Awards on Thursday 18 June at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.
The Teesside-based port operator and multimodal logistics firm received the accolade for its longstanding commitment to supporting communities across the Tees Valley.
Sponsored by Society Matters CIC, AV Dawson beat off strong competition from Radisson Blu Durham, Maldron Hotel Newcastle and Media Cultured to win the Community Business of the Year award.
Louise Croce, People and Culture Director at AV Dawson Group, said:
“Winning Community Business of the Year means a great deal to all of us at the AV Dawson Group. It reflects that everyone across the business plays a part in honouring the past, protecting what we’ve built and inspiring the next generation.
“We are incredibly proud of the ways in which our people give back, whether that’s through volunteering their time, sharing their skills or supporting local initiatives.
“For us, community engagement isn’t just about financial contributions; it’s about making a meaningful and lasting impact in the community in which the business was founded and built.
“This award reflects the passion of our team and the pride we take in making a positive, lasting difference in our local area.”
The award highlights AV Dawson’s ongoing commitment to creating meaningful community impact, not only through financial support, but by dedicating time, expertise and resources to initiatives that make a lasting difference. This includes supporting local charities such as Teesside Hospice, the MFC Foundation, The Teesside Charity and The Headlight Project, as well as working with education programmes including Tees Maritime, Tees Valley Education and Spark Tees Valley. Employees are also actively encouraged to take part in volunteering opportunities, embedding community engagement at the heart of the business.
Held annually, the Chamber Awards celebrate the achievements of businesses across the North East, recognising excellence, innovation and impact within the regional economy.
AV Dawson’s win underscores its commitment to being a responsible, community-focused business, with a strong belief that success is measured not only by commercial performance, but by the positive difference it makes to people and places.
As the company looks ahead, it remains committed to building on this momentum, ensuring its work to support and inspire future generations continues to play a central role in its mission.