Eaga’s leader misses out on prestigious national award
Nov 15 2007 by Chris Knox, The Journal
ONE of the region’s top bosses has been pipped to the post for a prestigious national award.
John Clough MBE, chief executive of Newcastle-based energy company Eaga, was beaten to the Orange Business Leader of the Year award earlier this week by Warren East, chief executive of silicon chip designer Warren East.
Mr Clough was in good company, with the entrants including some of the country’s most successful and best-known business figures, including chief executive of J Sainsbury Justin King and James Murdoch, chief executive of BSkyB.
The award formed part of the sixth annual Orange National Business Awards ceremony in London, which were labelled the Oscars of the business world by Gordon Brown during his time as Chancellor.
Mr Clough, who lives in Hexham and grew up in Bedlington as the son of a Northumberland miner, was gracious in defeat and remained positive about his company’s achievements in 2007.
He said: “I congratulate Warren East on winning. As part of the National Business Awards, which are regarded at the highest level as the business Oscars, this is a hugely prestigious event and I was naturally delighted just to be among such an impressive shortlist.
“My nomination was merely a reflection of the commitment and hard work of all Eaga’s 4,000 employees. It is really their efforts and talents that were being recognised.”
Firms still have the chance to enter this year’s Journal-sponsored North-East Business Awards, which, in their eight- year history, celebrate business excellence in our region.
Last year more than 320 businesses put themselves forward for the 12 categories, including small business award, manufacturing award and overall award.
The awards will be presented at a gala dinner for each of the following sub-regional areas: Tyneside and Northumberland on Thursday, February 28, 2008; Tees Valley on March 6, 2008; and Durham and Wearside on March 13, 2008.
The winning companies will then be entered into the regional final which takes place on May 1, 2008.
Businesses have up to December 7 to enter, which they can do by visiting www.northeastbusinessawards.co.uk.
