Business executive awards tonight

Nov 19 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

THE name of the inspirational business leader to be crowned North East Business Executive of the Year 2009 will be revealed tonight.

After weeks of discussions the judges of the prestigious awards, run by the Journal and the Evening Gazette in Middlesbrough, will reveal all the winners tonight at a black tie dinner in Newcastle.

The event at the Marriott Gosforth Park hotel has been one of the highlights of the North East business calendar for the last 26 years.

David Simms, managing director of The Journal’s publisher ncjMedia, said: “Of all the events we run, the North East Business Executive of the Year has proved to be the most enduring. As ever, we have worked hard to find a worthy winner.

“One of the great things about this event is the credibility and quality of the previous winners and this year’s winner is of equal standing.”

The awards seek to find the top executives from the three sub-regions of the North East – Tyneside and Northumberland, Durham and Wearside and the Tees Valley – from which is chosen the North East Business Executive of the Year.

There will be a separate trophy for the North East Young Business Person of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award is given.

And for the second year there is also an award for the Non- Executive Director of the Year, which aims to recognise the vital role non-executives can play in the development of companies of all sizes, whether private, public or charitable organisations.

Last year’s overall winner was Dr Tony Trapp, the former academic who showed remarkable acumen by building the thriving manufacturing company IHC Engineering Business and then masterminded a deal to sell it while retaining management in the region and ensuring its profitable future.

Also recognised were Trevor Mann, Nissan senior vice president, Middlesbrough-based PD Ports group CEO David Robinson, former ICI executive Sandy Anderson, North East Bakery chief Greg Phillips, and Non Executive of the Year, David Clipsham, from Northumberland.