A North East entrepreneur has been named the UK’s best self-employed professional.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has awarded its prestigious Self-Employed / Freelancer Award to Neil Trewick of  Teesside-based Trew Surveying during its annual celebration of the UK’s best entrepreneurial talent.

TV personality Tess Daly crowned Neil , who founded the business in 2022 as a residential building surveying company. It is now established as one of the most recognisable companies in the area, gaining national recognition for its work and services. Alongside this success, the business has continued to grow, leading to an impressive turnover in less than two years.

Neil said: “It’s a real shock to be a winner, and an amazing feeling. I know how hard I work, and how hard everybody nominated in the category will work, so I’m very proud to be recognised.

“I set the business up because I was made redundant. I was on the deck, and I decided to dust myself off and have a go at a new venture. The business has gone from strength to strength – it’s been a real journey. I’ve had some great success and I think sometimes people expect a much bigger team, but it’s just me. I carry everything, and it’s fantastic to be seen for that.

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“I’m at a point now where there’s only so far I can go on my own, so I plan to expand soon. But I like being a small business. If I can be big enough to cope but small enough to care, then I’ll be happy.

“I brought my mum and dad to the awards event as my wife was working. They are my biggest fans. It’s great to be able to give them a night like this – I probably enjoy it more for them than I do for me.”

The event saw representatives from more than 140 small businesses, plus self-employed professionals, gather from across the UK, with each previously named as a regional winner in their respective area.

Other UK winners spanned award categories, including Innovation, Young Entrepreneur, Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion, Family Business, Franchise, Micro Business, Start-up, Service Excellence, Expansion & Growth, and Community, plus the coveted title of ‘Small Business of the Year’, which was awarded to Edinburgh-based carbon capture innovator, CCU International.

Founded in 1974, FSB has been the leading voice for millions of small businesses and the self-employed community in the UK for half a century.

Martin Mctague, OBE, National Chair of FSB, said: “Congratulations to Neil Trewick and Trew Surveying. Neil is a shining example of how ambition and dedication can pay off, and the tenacity of sole traders.

“Well done, also, to all the regional finalists from the North East, who have helped to demonstrate the diversity, creativity and tenacity of small businesses and the self-employed across the region. It is through supporting small businesses that we’ll have a stronger economy.”