Since 2004, our annual awards have recognised, celebrated and illuminated the North East's best entrepreneurial talent with finalists representing every stage of the business lifecycle from Ones to Watch to Lifetime Achievement. Now, we’re delighted to unveil our finalists for 2026.
Part of North East Entrepreneurship Week, this year sees the launch of the inaugural Ones to Watch Index. Shining a light on the entrepreneurs leading businesses building real momentum, the Index will be unveiled at a special breakfast event at Durham University Business School on 4 November. After which, one of the 20 businesses will be crowned 'One to Watch' at the Awards Dinner on 19 November.
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Founder and CEO of TrendBible, a future trends agency that has built an international reputation from its North East base, Joanna works with global brands across more than 35 countries. Combining that global ambition with a strong commitment to the region, she shares her experience and supports other entrepreneurs as they build and scale. A North East business with roots and a genuinely global outlook.
Founder of Middlesbrough-based innovation and digital product agency, Alt Labs, Imran has grown the business beyond the North East, with a presence in London and Riyadh, while keeping Middlesbrough firmly at its heart. Named a Sunday Times Best Place to Work in 2026, the business has built a reputation for both its work and its culture. Alongside growing Alt Labs, Imran is a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and technology in Teesside, mentoring founders, supporting young people and helping create opportunities for the next generation.
Michael and Andy have led the transformation of eQuality Solutions Group (eQS) from a North East specialist into a growing national business, helping remove barriers to education, work, and everyday life. Since leading a management buyout in 2020, they have grown the Group through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, expanding its expertise across disability, neurodiversity, assistive technology, and inclusion. But growth has always been tied to purpose, and they have invested in the leadership, culture, and capabilities needed to scale, while keeping a clear focus on improving outcomes for the people and organisations eQS supports.
Co-founder of iPac, Jonny has helped take the business from a start-up into a major UK manufacturer producing more than 300 million packaging units a year for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Since taking the helm as Managing Director in 2020, he has continued to grow the business with a strong focus on quality, innovation, customer service and sustainability. Today, iPac employs more than 100 people and has grown turnover to more than £25 million, installed a world-first new technology for the production of a nascent product type, completed a £4.75m funding deal (part of a wider £8m financing package) and initiated a £10m investment programme, all while remaining proudly rooted in the North East.
Founding J&B Recycling in 1998, Vicky transformed part of her family’s Hartlepool solid-fuel business as the industry declined, creating a new future in recycling and waste management. Over almost three decades, she has grown J&B into one of the North East’s leading recycling businesses, employing over 200 people and processing more than 200,000 tonnes of waste and recyclable material each year. Along the way, Vikky spotted opportunity and acted upon it, building value and securing investment to accelerate growth. By continually innovating ahead of the market and ultimately delivering a successful exit, she established J&B as an important part of the region’s recycling infrastructure and left a lasting legacy of positive change.
Tim founded Lane7 in Newcastle in 2013 with a simple idea to reinvent traditional bowling and pool halls for a new generation. Since then, he has built a distinctive competitive socialising business, combining games, technology, food and drink to continually evolve the experience for its customers. More recently, Tim has taken that home-grown concept international, opening venues in Ireland and Germany and creating a platform for significant further expansion across Western Europe. Despite its growing footprint and ambition, Lane7 remains headquartered in the North East, taking an idea born in Newcastle into new cities and markets.
Some things are worth keeping under wraps. And the recipient of our Lifetime Achievement award is one of those. Join us on Thursday 19th September to find out who it is at our Awards Dinner.
