FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards showcases the region’s most inspiring SMEs

The most exciting small businesses from across the North East have been crowned as the region’s best at the annual FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards.

Headline sponsored by Gateshead College, the winning businesses were competing to be crowned the best across a number of categories including business and product innovation, digital innovation and young entrepreneur.

The sell-out event was hosted at the Sage in Gateshead for the second year attracting 120 businesses and guests.

The prestigious Business and Product Innovation Award went to Cramlington based hybrid and electric vehicles manufacturer, AVID Technology Group.

Ryan Maughan, managing director at AVID said: “We are extremely honoured to receive this award from the FSB. It is fantastic recognition for the hard work and commitment of the AVID team in driving manufacturing excellence and innovation.

“We feel very proud to be representing the North East at the national final and hope that we can do the region proud.”

Michael McMeekin, FSB North East area leader, said: “Our awards celebrate the superb small business community we have right across the North East and Tees Valley. This year’s winners have shown tenacity, grit and determination against an uncertain backdrop for the business community. The calibre of this year’s applicants showcase the real talent that the region has across a wide range of sectors.

“We know the North East is the best place in the UK to start, grow and develop a small business and the winners of these awards are a real testament of this. We’re wishing the best of luck to all our winners for the UK national award finals in May.”

Commenting on the event,event sponsor Ivan Jepson, director of business development, Gateshead College, said: “It’s extremely important to recognise the vital contribution that small businesses make to our region, which is why we were thrilled to sponsor the FSB Awards here in the North East.

“The awards showcased not only the best small businesses but also the people behind them including those with the innovative ideas and their employees who work hard to make them succeed. Congratulations to all the worthy winners and good luck in the national finals in London.”

The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards celebrate the best small businesses from the length and breadth of the country, offering national recognition for those who have made the biggest impression over the last 12 months. Twelve area awards finals take place between January and March, with the national UK finals taking place at a VIP attended awards ceremony on 3 May in London.

The North East winners were announced by master of ceremonies Jo Pickard at a ceremony at Sage Gateshead on the afternoon of 26 March.