A FORMER teacher who successfully reinvented an iconic waxed jacket company following the death of her husband in the late 1960s has been honoured.

Dame Margaret Barbour is one of several business leaders who has been recognised for demonstrating strong leadership and innovation at the Forum’s 17th annual North-East Entrepreneurial Awards.

The Entrepreneurs’ Forum presented her with a 2020 Lifetime Achievement award.

Dame Margaret said: “It is such a great honour to receive this award and to be recognised in this way by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum. My daughter Helen and I are so proud of everything Barbour has achieved.

“I believe the key to our success has been that we have always stuck to our founding principles and family values and practised good housekeeping, leaving money in the business both for the bad times and the good; this has never been more important than today with the current challenges we all face.”

Under her leadership, South Shields-based Barbour has been transformed, growing from 100 to more than 1,000 staff, while The Barbour Foundation has awarded more than £20m to charities and good causes across the North-East.

Last April she switched production in Barbour’s South Shields factory to make PPE garments to support local NHS trusts in their fight against Covid-19.

For the first time, the awards were delivered online with winners being announced via the Forum’s social media channels.

Glen Hall, chairman of Newcastle-based Talent Insight Group, was named its Entrepreneur of the Year.

The entrepreneur, private investor, experienced non-executive director and best-selling author previously built the Write Research Group into the UK’s number one talent intelligence business.

James Robson MBE, the Forum’s chairman, said: “This year’s Awards recognise those who have gone above and beyond during 2020, from finding opportunity within their business to supporting their peers by sharing advice, knowledge and expertise. They highlight not only fast-growing and innovative businesses within the North East, but our collaborative spirit and willingness to support one another.”