Prime Highlights
- Female-led businesses won five out of six major categories at the North Tyneside Business Awards, showing the strong impact of women entrepreneurs in the local business community.
- The achievements were celebrated by the North Tyneside Business Forum as part of activities marking International Women’s Day, highlighting the growing influence of women in business.
Key Facts
- Steffi Smith of The Chocolate Smiths won The Green Award and was also named Business of the Year 2025 for her company’s strong performance and focus on sustainability.
- Amy Bewick of Nusa Studio received the New Business Award, recognising the successful launch and growth of her new venture.
Background:
Female entrepreneurs dominated the North Tyneside Business Awards, securing five out of six major categories in a milestone year for the local business community. The achievements were highlighted by the North Tyneside Business Forum as part of celebrations marking International Women’s Day, showcasing the growing influence of women-led enterprises across the region.
Female founders showed strong innovation, resilience and leadership across businesses in North Tyneside. Women-led companies in sectors such as retail, community services, sustainability and education also showed their growing role in supporting both economic growth and local communities.
Among the winners, Amy Bewick of Nusa Studio received the New Business Award for successfully launching and growing her business. Tara Warren, founder of BASH Academy, won the Heart of the Business Award for helping people build skills through education and training. Kerry Quinn of KORE+ secured the Retail & Service Provider Award, recognising the company’s continued growth and strong community engagement.
Steffi Smith, founder of The Chocolate Smiths, was one of the biggest winners of the night. She won The Green Award for sustainability and was also named Business of the Year 2025. Meanwhile, menopause coach Cheryl Tanner won the Heart of the Community Award for supporting women’s health and wellbeing.
Several winners also highlighted the importance of International Women’s Day in recognising the achievements of women and encouraging greater support among female entrepreneurs. Many spoke about the value of collaboration, confidence building and the positive impact that supportive business networks can create.
Angela Tuplin, Chair of the North Tyneside Business Forum, said the results showed the growing strength of women in the region’s business landscape. She noted that while technology company durhamlane won one category, the success of female-led businesses across the remaining awards demonstrated the ambition and talent driving the local economy.
The Business Forum helps businesses in North Tyneside by offering networking events and support for growth. Membership is free, giving local entrepreneurs a chance to connect and grow their businesses.
