Celebrating region’s innovators

Nov 28 2007 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

CITROX is a business which has created a product with excellent green credentials – a harmless steriliser made from citrus fruit.

It was recognised for its achievements by scooping the Innovation Award winner at the North-East Business Awards in 2006.

Launched by former development chemist Ian Ripley four years ago, the Middlesbrough company now operates in a large number of sectors, including food decontamination, catering, health, veterinary, dentistry, babycare, personal care, animal, poultry and fish feed supplements.

The original idea – to make a steriliser from fruit acids and orange extracts – was conceived by Mr Ripley seven years ago and has been developed with a significant investment in research and development.

SPONSORS

The Innovation Award at this year’s 2007 North-East Business Awards is being sponsored by RMT Financial Management Ltd.

Directors Richard Blackett and Kevin Walker said: “RMT Financial Management is a large firm of independent financial advisers based in Newcastle.

“We have invested heavily in technology and continue to be innovative in the way in which we can deliver a first-class, cost-effective service to a client base which includes some of the region’s leading businesses and private individuals.

“As we have been involved heavily in change and innovation, we believe we have the experience to be able to identify those companies who have embraced innovation to enhance their business.

“The North-East Business Awards are a celebration of what’s best in business and we are delighted to be able to offer our support to ensure its continued success.”

The Tyneside and Northumber- land Innovation Award for 2007 is sponsored by Newcastle Science City.

Director Sarah Stewart said: “Translating world-class scientific research into economic and social benefits will help our cities compete on a global scale.

“Newcastle Science City proactively encourages links between businesses and universities where groundbreaking research is taking place.

“It is a complex task to take scientific research and transform it into commercially-viable products and services. The innovative businesses celebrated through the awards are successfully and creatively realising this objective.”

The Innovation Award for the Tees Valley is being sponsored by the Make Your Mark campaign.

Pamela Hargreaves, head of Make Your Mark in the Tees Valley, said: “We are sponsoring this award to show support and encouragement to businesses and people showcasing innovative ideas and products and showing young people that creative ideas can be turned into a reality within the Tees Valley.

“We are delivering the message through partnering with local businesses, to show young people the vast range of opportunities available in the area and the enterprise support structures that exist for people who are thinking about starting their own business.”