Recognising businesses with a focus on talent development through training, apprenticeships, work experience, diversity and inclusion, career progression, and equal opportunities.

The judges will assess the evidence that your business:

• Prioritises work-life balance and well-being initiatives.
• Offers recognition and attractive rewards to staff.
• Provides regular training and diverse opportunities for all employees.
• Supports career progression.
• Fosters a motivated workforce.
  

For a business owner or leader who has significantly impacted their firm's success and positively influenced others, such as employees or the community.

The judges will assess candidates based on the following criteria:

• Serves as a positive role model for other business leaders in the region.
• Demonstrates how their actions and strategies have been crucial to their business's success.
• Exhibits enterprising behaviours, including participation, risk-taking, management, leadership, vision, originality, and innovation.

Celebrating businesses that actively integrate social and environmental responsibility into their operations, positively impacting our people, communities, and planet.

Our judges will be looking for businesses that:

• Outline initiatives, including environmental and sustainability practices, community engagement, diversity and inclusion, and ethical business conduct.
• Show how they prioritise positive impacts alongside profit goals.
• Demonstrate the impacts they make.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvements in energy efficiency, carbon reduction, or sustainable working practices.

For a business that has demonstrated outstanding performance across various metrics.

Judges will be looking specifically for businesses that:

• Exhibit strong commercial performance, innovation, and sound business practices.
• Serve as a benchmark of success and inspiration, effectively representing the region nationally.
• Present robust managerial and financial performance, including revenue, profitability, and market share.
• Possess clear strategic vision and plans for future growth and development.
• Demonstrate a commitment to staff training, career development, employee welfare, and a positive workplace culture. 

To recognise a medium-sized business that has taken tangible steps to increase its scale and impact which is crucial for inspiring other businesses and fostering a culture of growth and innovation.

Judges will be looking for a business that:

• Can present evidence of increases in turnover and/or profit.
• Shows inspirational leadership and effective management.
• Can detail how the company has performed against its growth plan and give an overview of future plans to sustain and further this growth.
  

Celebrating inventive thinking, product or system development, and creativity in business.

Our judges will be looking for a business that:

• Can demonstrate how innovation has boosted company performance.
• Has a clear vision on what it needs to achieve with the project, product, system, or process.
• Can outline the development process.
• Can evidence an increase in revenue or market share as a result of the innovation.
• Is able to detail the overall benefits of the innovation.

Recognising outstanding achievement in manufacturing and production in the North East. This award celebrates those whose contributions drive industry advancement and set new standards for excellence.

Judges will be looking for entrants that can:

• Demonstrate innovation in manufacturing processes or technology
• Achieve measurable improvements in efficiency and cost management while maintaining product quality.
• Show increased market share and boosted growth.
• Integrate sustainable practices, reducing environmental impact and waste.
• Provide employee training and development opportunities.

This award recognises an individual aged 25 years or less who is making a significant impact, regardless of their experience. This person may be a business owner, employee, or apprentice who has achieved remarkable success.

The judges will be evaluating nominees based on the following:

• Being 25 years of age or under on 25th September 2025.
• Demonstrating success in their workplace, with clear leadership potential.
• Showing a dedication to their ongoing personal and professional development.
• Making exceptional contributions to their workplace, especially in areas where they've surpassed expectations.
• Serving as a role model for their peers.

To celebrate a small business (50 employees or less) that is making a significant impact on the business community, both regionally and beyond.

The judges will be looking for a distinctive business that:

• Combines commercial success with elements such as customer service, social impact, innovation, and talent development.
• Can provide evidence of success.
• Has the potential for growth.
• Can provide an overview of long-term goals and company strategies to achieve these goals.
• Can outline staff development and training plans.

This award champions and showcases the best and brightest start-ups from across the North East region, celebrating new businesses that are really going places.

Our judges will be looking for businesses that meet the following criteria:

• Established within the past two years (on or before the closing date of June 16th, 2025).
• Demonstrates clear entrepreneurship, innovation, distinctiveness, and a commitment to growth.
• Has successfully defied challenging economic conditions to succeed, grow, and thrive.
• Shows evidence of financial success, stability, and future growth potential.