The North East Business Awards are back for the 21st year to honour the region’s best businesses, and the amazing people behind them, from the boardroom to the shop floor.

The awards will celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship, technology and creativity, honour brilliant people going the extra mile for their customers and clients, and shine a light on the fantastic things businesses are doing to make a difference right here in the North East.

As per previous years, there will be sub-regional heats, with the winners of each heat going head-to-head at the Grand Final. The winners from each heat will be announced to our audience of millions online at ChronicleLive, TeessideLive and BusinessLive and in the pages of The Journal and The Gazette - there will be no sub-regional awards dinners this year.

The sub-regions are:

- Northumberland & Tyneside

- Durham, Sunderland & South Tyneside

- Teesside

The winners from the heats are invited to attend the glittering Grand Final awards dinner taking place in the Grand Marquee at Hardwick Hall on Tuesday 26th September 2023, and hosted by Iwan Thomas MBE.

The venue & parking

The awards dinner will be taking place in the Grand Marquee on the front lawn of Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, TS21 2EH. Ample free parking is available on-site.

Dietary / access requirements

We need advance notice of any guests with dietary or access requirements. Please advise if anyone in your party requires a vegetarian or vegan meal, has any allergies / intolerances, requires a BSL interpreter or wheelchair access, or any other specific requirements.

Order of proceedings in brief

Drinks reception from 6.30pm

Guests to be seated at 7.10pm

Welcome & introductions

Headline partner address

Keynote speech - Iwan Thomas MBE

Main course served

Award Presentations Part 1

Dessert & Tea/Coffee

Award Presentations Part 2

Formal proceedings close by 11.00pm

Carriages at midnight

Dress code

The evening is a black tie occasion.

Our Host

Securing medals at all major championships, Iwan Thomas MBE is a former European, Commonwealth and World Champion. Until recently he held the British 400m record for 25 years. Now an experienced broadcaster, he’s a regular face on our screens. From being a presenter for BBC’s The One Show for the past 10 years to being a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, Bear Gryll’s Celebrity Island and more recently winning Channel 4’s Hunted and BBC Masterchef Christmas special. He is also a major part of ongoing Paralympic and international sporting events coverage. Iwan will host the evening and entertain guests as he recounts his journey from playground to podium.