North East businesses are celebrated at Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 Awards 2025

BUSINESS leaders from across the North East gathered at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead last Friday to celebrate the region’s fastest-growing companies at the Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50 Awards.

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Keynote speaker Bill Scott

Now in its 27th year, the awards, held in partnership with The Journal, once again highlighted the drive, innovation and resilience of the region's business community. The annual Fastest 50 recognises the region's privately-owned companies that have achieved the greatest growth in turnover, a list objectively compiled from Companies House data.

The 2025 Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50 illustrates the breadth and depth of the North East's economy. Together, the 50 companies recorded a combined turnover of £1.7bn, matching last year’s total despite a tougher economic climate. Average turnover growth stood at 41.97%, with an overall increase of £824m between their first and latest accounts.

Opening the ceremony, Damien Charlton, Head of Commercial at Ward Hadaway, said “The businesses represented here today are proof that growth never stands still. Every year new names emerge, yet the same qualities shine through - hard work, creativity and the confidence to invest in new ideas. It’s encouraging to see long-established names alongside ambitious new entrants.

“From clean-energy specialists and digital consultancies to recruitment and engineering firms, the region's growth is being driven by a remarkable mix of talent and innovation.