Sunderland Echo Business Excellence Awards 2024 honour all that's best on Wearside

The callcentre, based on the former Vaux site, was named Large Business of the Year and also took home the award for Outstanding Contribution by a Business.

Sunderland Empire sponsored the first award and theatre manager Vicki Medhurst handed over the trophy, while Cllr Kevin Johnston presented the second on behalf of sponsor City of Sunderland.

Ocado’s Laura Flowers received the Outstanding Contribution award on behalf of the firm: “I think there’s been some absolutely amazing winners tonight and we love Sunderland, we love being part of these awards, so it was just great to be recognised,” she said.

The final presentation of the evening, for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual, saw Sunderland College’s Ellen Thinnesen OBE collect her award from Richard Hyde, head of business with sponsor Audi Wearside.

Ellen had earlier presented the Business in the Community award and admitted she had been amazed to be called back to the stage: “This is a complete surprise and I feel very privileged,” she said.

“My first thought went to all of the staff and my colleagues who work at the college. I would just like to say thank you to all of the staff and the workforce across the colleges and all the partners of Sunderland College, Northumberland college and Hartlepool Sixth Form who make the college the great place that it is today.”

The Apprentice star Katie Bulmer-Cooke took centre stage to host last night’s event at the Roker Hotel.

The evening kicked off with the presentation of the Apprentice/Trainee of the Year award, sponsored by MCS Mobility Care Solutions.

The judges were so impressed by the standard of entry this year that they took the unusual step of naming two winners, with Back on the Map’s Nathan Mahan and Nissan’s Eve Kennedy both called to the stage.

Next up was Best Business Transformation, with Vantec Europe Limited taking the honours, while Assett 55 was named our Best Independent Business of the Year. 

Ellen Thinnesen presented the Business in the Community award on behalf of the college to winner EE Community while the Employer of the Year award went to Faltec Europe Ltd, presented by Sarah Reid, managing director of sponsor Richard Reed Solicitors.. 

Natasha McDonough FCIM was named 2024’s Entrepreneur of the Year, while Aquascan picked up the Innovation Award.

Sharon Appleby, of sponsor Sunderland Bid presented the Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Business of the Year award to winner Sunderland Empire before Paul McEdldon, chief executive of sponsor the North East Bic handed over the SME Business of the Year trophy to AK Teaching.

Paul remained on stage to present Back on the Map with their trophy as the winners of our Social Enterprise of the Year category before Cllr Johnston presented the Sustainable Initiative of the Yea award to Canford Audio Ltd.

This year saw a new category, Best Newcomer of the Year, and Cllr Johnston presented the team from Sheepfold Stables with their trophy.