Search now on for the top executive

Aug 20 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

THE search is on to find the stars of the North East business world in our prestigious North-East Business Executive of the Year Awards 2008.

Last year the winner of the Tyneside and Northumberland award was John Clough, chief executive of Newcastle-based environmental services company eaga plc who went on to win the North East Business Executive of the Year 2007 title.

The success in the awards, organised by The Journal and its Teesside sister title the Evening Gazette, was the start of another good year for the fast-growing Newcastle-based business.

He was one of the winners of the sub-regional awards, the others are Durham and Wearside and Tees Valley. The winner of the overall title of North East Business Executive of the Year 2008 is picked from these three.

It is 25 years since the awards were launched and to mark a quarter century of success this year, we are launching a new category. The inaugural North East Non Executive Director of the Year Award aims to recognise the key contribution that non-executive directors play in businesses across the North East.

There is also a lifetime achievement award and another trophy for the North East Young Business Person of the Year.

The judges include One NorthEast director of business and industry Ian Williams, North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive James Ramsbotham, CBI North East regional chairman Bob Davies, Storeys SSP director John Irwin, Brewin Dolphin divisional director Vinay Bedi, Bank of England regional agent David Buffham, Trinity Mirror North East managing director Steve Brown, The Journal assistant editor (business) Andrew Hebden, North East business journalist Brian Nicholls and The Journal business editor Iain Laing.

Winners will be announced on October 30.