2025 Entrepreneurial Awards

Get ready to raise your glass to the entrepreneurs who are rewriting the rules — the trailblazers, pioneers and innovators of the North East.

Since 2004, our Entrepreneurial Awards have recognised, celebrated and illuminated the North East's best business talent with finalists representing every stage of the business lifecycle. Our award categories include One to Watch, Impact Award, Caroline Theobald Award, Entrepreneur of the Year and Lifetime Achievement. View full award criteria.

This year’s winners will be announced at our Awards Dinner on Thursday 18^th September which is open to everyone in the North East business community. It's an evening packed with celebration, leaving you with memories as unforgettable as the region's entrepreneurial spirit. Find out more about the evening below.

Join us on Thursday 18th September as we celebrate our finalists and reveal our winners for 2025!

It's the party of the year and everyone's invited.

Book today

Plus, join us for Our Official After-Party at PILGRIM!

Thursday is the new Friday and this is the after-party you won’t want to miss! This year, our award celebrations will continue at PILGRIM as they open their famous doors for our official after-party. From 10pm until late, winners, finalists, guests, families and friends will join us for cocktails, award toasts, staff drinks or client hospitality, all sound-tracked by top DJs.

One to Watch Finalists (Supported by UMi)

Chris Wood
Tanglewood Games

Victoria Taylor
Probe Industries

Alex and Ross Longton
Tiba Tempeh

Kayleigh Laverick
Mamma Social Co.

Stewart Dickson
Weardale Lithium

Jonny and Antonia Philp
Nursem

Impact Finalists

Nicki Clark OBE
UMi

Nicola Wood
The Wonderful Wig Company

Sam Spoors
Talentheads

Caroline Theobald Award (Supported by RTC North)

Richard Bradley
Dyer Engineering

Tania Cooper MBE
Steel Benders UK

Ammar Mirza CBE
AmmarM Group

Kate Cooper-Fay
Cooper-Fay Harris

Entrepreneur of the Year (Supported by Ward Hadaway)

Lee Hartley
Fairstone Group

Mark Thompson
Ryder Architecture

Dr Arnab Basu MBE
Kromek

Brinsley Sheridan
RE:GEN Group

Supported by

Please note:

You do not need to be a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum to be nominated/apply for any of our award categories.

There is no cost to enter.

Entries for One to Watch, Impact Award and Entrepreneur of the Year will be reviewed by our judging panel which comprises of leading North East entrepreneurs and representatives from our Corporate Partners, whereas the Caroline Theobald Award and Lifetime Achievement are decided by the Entrepreneurs' Forum board members.

The closing date for all nominations is Wednesday 30th April and applications Friday 30th May. Submitting an application does not guarantee that you will be shortlisted.

Entrepreneurs who are shortlisted in our One to Watch, Impact Award and Entrepreneur of the Year categories will be invited to an interview with the judging panel. These will take place on Tuesday 8th July, Wednesday 9th July and Monday 14th July respectively.

The winners will be announced at our awards dinner on Thursday 18th September at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. Each finalist will be given one complimentary ticket with additional tickets priced at £120 + VAT (with tables seating 10).