The Awards, headline sponsored by Middlesbrough College Group and Sage, have been disrupted and held either virtually or in an abridged form in the last two years.
But as normality returns to the region’s business community, the Awards are returning to their customary format with the winners of heats in three parts of the North East then competing against each other in an overall regional final.

Prizes will be awarded in 10 categories, and there will be an overall Company of the Year.

The Awards start with the Northumberland and Tyneside heat at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead on May 26, followed by the Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside awards at Ramside Hall, Durham, on June 9 and then the Teesside event at Middlesbrough College on June 23.

The grand final of the Business Awards will take place at Hardwick Hall in Sedgefield on September 29.

Journal business editor Graeme Whitfield said: “It’s great to not only have the Business Awards back, but back in their regular format as life starts to return to some form of normality.
“It has been a tough few years for businesses everywhere, but that has not stopped companies in the North East meeting the challenges facing them and doing great things.

“Nor should it stop us coming together to celebrate what companies and their staff have achieved. The North East Business Awards have been highlighting the best of this region for more than 20 years and there has never been a better time to do that.

“I am looking forward to seeing the entries that come from the region’s business community and to finding out about some of the great work that is going on in our towns and cities.”

Last year, Middlesbrough computer gaming company Double Eleven was named North East Company of the Year, having earlier taken prizes for high growth and for innovation.
Other winners included Haystack, PD Ports and AkzoNobel Ashington.

The categories for the North East Business Awards 2022 are:

  • Diversity & Inclusion Award
  • Manufacturing Award
  • Apprenticeships, Training & Skills Award
  • Small Business Award
  • Innovation & Technology Award
  • Heart of the Community Award
  • Newcomer of the Year
  • High Growth & Ambition Award
  • Services Award
  • Company of the Year 

This year’s awards are headline sponsored by Middlesbrough College Group and Sage, with category sponsorship from Business Durham, CIPD, FW Capital, Newcastle City Council, Newcastle University, Nifco, Stoneacre Lexus & Toyota, Tees Valley Business and University of Sunderland.

The Awards are free to enter – please visit nebusinessawards.co.uk

Closing date for entries is 5pm, March 28