Kromek boss Dr Arnab Basu wins national Institute of Directors award

The boss of a North East technology firm helping to fight terrorism has been recognised with a national award.

Dr Arnab Basu, chief executive at NETPark-based Kromek Group, picked up the Innovation accolade at the national final of the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) Director of the Year Awards.

His triumph follows success in the same category at the IoD’s Yorkshire and North East heat earlier this year.

Dr Basu has overseen the continued growth of Durham University spin-out Kromek, which is known for supplying radiation detection technology for the medical, security screening and nuclear markets.

Its D3S family of products is particularly regarded for identifying terrorist threats such as ‘dirty bombs’.

Praising Dr Basu, who is a council member of Innovate UK, judges said “there is an undeniably strong link between this director’s leadership and the development of the organisation as a highly innovative one.”

Jonathan Geldart, IoD director general, said: “I would like to congratulate all of our award winners, each of whom have shown dedication, ingenuity and leadership, inspiring those around them.

“Better directors make for better businesses, which is to the benefit of the economy and society as a whole.

“It is undoubtedly a challenging time to be a director, making the achievements of our winners all the more impressive.

“We are here to support leaders through the turbulence, but equally we think it is crucial to shine the spotlight on those who continue to raise the bar for British business despite the circumstances.”

In September, Kromek revealed it had secured two contract extensions worth £1.6 million to help authorities counter nuclear terrorism.

Bosses confirmed it had been awarded a £1 million extension from a European government-related company to provide integration of it D3S-related technologies.

In addition, the US Government’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, a component within the US Department of Homeland Security, awarded Kromek a £600,000 extension to add further technical innovation capability to D3S.