North East England Chamber of Commerce has announced the shortlists for its annual Business Awards.
The members on the shortlists are drawn from around the region, in categories for North, South and Central areas, with members of all sizes, going on to compete for top honours at the final on 9 September. There will also be the opportunity for some winners to go on to the British Chamber of Commerce national final in the Autumn as well.
One of the principal categories of the North East awards is North East Champion for 2021 and the three companies who have been selected to go on to the final are Great North Air Ambulance, Learning Curve Group and Newcastle Building Society.
The shortlist for entrepreneur of the year is the Everflow Group, Kerckhoffs and Carney Consulting and for the best green business the contenders are WSP, Believe Housing and Battlesteads Hotel.
Bernicia Housing Association is the associate sponsor for the awards and group CEO John Johnston said: “We are really proud to be the sponsor of the Chamber Awards. They are a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the tremendous resolve members have demonstrated to overcome the challenges of the past year, to support their staff, clients and local communities. We are really looking forward to sharing their stories at the Grand Final.”
Best small businesses on the shortlist are Emax Systems, Equality Solutions and Nirvana Europe with the medium company category shortlist being Endeavour Partnership, South Causey Inn and Robson Laidler Accountants.
The President’s Club and larger business category has similar success stories on it with Believe Housing, Go North East and Northern Gas & Power competing for the top prize.
Leading exporters Gestamp, Dunelm Optical and Pearson are the shortlisted businesses in that category and the diversification category shortlist is Tall Tale Mysteries, WL Distillery and Recovery4Life.
The Chamber is championing diversity and inclusion with its Race, Ethnicity and Discrimination Commission and shortlisted for the Diversity and Inclusion award are WSP, Signpost and Cundall.
James Ramsbotham, Chamber chief executive said: “We are delighted to be able to celebrate all of the great achievements of many of the businesses in our region with our awards. Getting through the past year has been such a testament to our members pivoting their services to support the NHS, switching business models to serve their clients virtually and in many other ways as well. A huge thank you to all our members for playing their part in our whole region getting through the past year and the best of luck to the shortlisted organisations.”