Despite the volatility of recent weeks, there have been high points for regional businesses in 2018 and North East Times has decided to celebrate some of these with its first Impact Awards. Thank you to everyone who made nominations and congratulations to our winners: Lesley Spuhler, Steve Parkin, Jim Mawdsley, John Savage and Neil Herron. Extra applause also goes to Lesley, who takes our Outstanding Impact Award 2018.