The shortlist for this year’s North East Business Awards has been revealed.

A total of 82 companies from across the entire region have been nominated in nine categories with sub-regional awards dinners taking place over the next two months before a Grand Final in September.

The Northumberland and Tyneside heat will take place on May 26 at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead; the Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside heat will be taking place on June 9 at Ramside Hall Hotel. A Teesside heat will be taking place at Middlesbrough College on June 23.

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The winners from each heat will then go head-to-head at the Grand Final of the North East Business Awards on September 29 at Hardwick Hall. Tickets and tables are available by booking online at nebusinessawards.co.uk.

Vying for the coveted Company of the Year title in the Northumberland and Tyneside heat are The Doxford Group, Newcastle Building Society, Opencast Software and Port of Blyth.

And in the Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside heat Cell Pack Solutions Ltd , eQuality Solutions and Premier Roof Systems Ltd will compete for the top prize.

New sponsor panel

Meanwhile contenders for the same title at the Teesside heat are Cleveland Containers, Great North Air Ambulance, Made For Trade and razorblue.

Journal editor Graeme Whitfield said: “It’s been a tough few years for businesses everywhere but the entries to the Business Awards show that some are coming out the other side. They also show the resilience, ingenuity and hard work that we expect from businesses in the North East.

“It was a pleasure to read the entries and I can’t wait to meet the nominated companies when the awards return.”

The awards are headline sponsored by Middlesbrough College Group and Sage, with category sponsors Business Durham, CIPD, FW Capital, Lexus, Maven Capital Partners UK LLP, Newcastle City Council, Newcastle University, Nifco, Tees Valley Business, and University of Sunderland.

The full shortlist is:

Northumberland and Tyneside Business Awards

High Growth & Ambition Award

GAP Group (North East) Ltd

NPH Group

Opencast Software

Apprenticeships, Training & Skills Award

EGGER (UK) Ltd

Newcastle Building Society

Smart IT

Heart of the Community Award

Karbon Homes

Muckle LLP

SOS Group Ltd

Innovation & Technology Award

AIS Survivex

ClearVUE

GAP Group (North East) Ltd

Manufacturing Award

Black Hills Products Ltd

WSG Print

Sterling Pharma Solutions

Newcomer of the Year

AR Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Rowen Homes

Talentheads

Services Award

MSK Sports Injury Clinic

Reeves Independent Limited

Smart IT

Small Business Award

FOOTY.COM

Kelly’s Heroes Private Tuition Ltd

McGovern & Co Ltd

Company of the Year

The Doxford Group

Newcastle Building Society

Opencast Software

Port of Blyth

Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside Business Awards

High Growth & Ambition Award

AR Power

Premier Roof Systems Ltd

Superior Recruitment Group Ltd

Apprenticeships, Training & Skills Award

Clearly Drinks

Unipres UK Ltd

Walker Filtration

Heart of the Community Award

Coach Campbell

Just For Women CIC

Keepmoat Homes

Innovation & Technology Award

Design X-Press Ltd

Evidence Based Education

Lingotot

Manufacturing Award

Artech Lighting

Classic Windows NE Ltd

Clearly Drinks

Newcomer of the Year

People Spark Solutions Ltd

Stand

Transmission Engineering Services

Services Award

Beach Accountants Ltd

Concept IT Services

Forevercare

Small Business Award

Coote O’Grady

Excelpoint

Redrose Nutraceutical Manufacturer

Company of the Year

Cell Pack Solutions Ltd

eQuality Solutions

Premier Roof Systems Ltd

Teesside Business Awards

High Growth & Ambition Award

Cleveland Containers

Host & Stay

Made For Trade

Apprenticeships, Training & Skills Award

Intelect

PD Ports

Vianet Group PLC

Heart of the Community Award

LilyAnne’s CIC

Nite Light CIC

Perimenopause Support UK CIC

Innovation & Technology Award

Big Bite

PD Ports

Exis Technologies

Manufacturing Award

Build a Spa

Made For Trade

Press on Vinyl

Newcomer of the Year

Dash Media Ltd

MAAS Marketing

Secure Schools

Services Award

Big Bite

Great North Air Ambulance

Vianet Group PLC

Small Business Award

Exis Technologies

Lucid Technology Solutions

Project Escape Ltd

Company of the Year

Cleveland Containers

Great North Air Ambulance

Made For Trade

razorblue

For more information please go to nebusinessawards.co.uk #NEBizAwards