TODAY is the day when the winners of the Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 for 2012 are revealed.

Around 200 guests, including representatives of this year’s Fastest 50 companies, key members of the region’s business community and guest of honour Bernie Callaghan, dean of the faculty of business and law at the University of Sunderland, will gather at Baltic, the Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, to find out who are the North East’s fastest-growing businesses.

Awards will be handed out this lunchtime to the fastest-growing small, medium and large companies in the region. An overall award will also be handed to the North-East’s fastest-growing business of the year.

The Fastest 50 Awards are sponsored and organised by leading North law firm Ward Hadaway and supported by The Journal.

Damien Charlton, partner in the company and commercial team at Ward Hadaway, said: “The Fastest 50 is one of the most eagerly anticipated business events of the year and has rightfully taken its place as one of the key dates on the North East’s business calendar. Against a backdrop of uncertainty and low growth in the UK economy, occasions like this help to inject positivity and a sense of optimism into the picture.

“I believe it is important to highlight the achievements of companies such as those in the Fastest 50 whose growth in recent years is a cause for celebration.

“We look forward to welcoming all our guests to what promises to be a memorable occasion.”

Bernie Callaghan, dean of the faculty of business and law at the University of Sunderland, will deliver the keynote speech at the event.

Brian Aitken, editor of The Journal, will introduce proceedings at the Baltic today. The Fastest 50 highlights and celebrates privately-owned profit-making companies and organisations which have shown the strongest sales growth over recent years.

A full report on the awards will feature in The Journal on Monday, October 15, with a special supplement appearing on Wednesday, October 17.