Major new partnerships with two of the region’s biggest names are set to transform The Northern Echo’s BUSINESSiQ Awards for 2025.

The headline sponsor for the event will be Amazon – one of the most successful businesses in the world and a major investor across the North East – and the venue will be none other than Wynyard Hall – one of the most prestigious locations in the region.

The event will be held on Friday, April 11….and will be unlike any other awards event the North East has ever seen.

Our guests and sponsors will be able to enjoy the luxury and style of the whole ground floor at Wynyard with food and drinks served throughout - with canapes also available at stations around the Hall and drinks in the three bars and in the Statue Gallery as you arrive. Then feel free to wander, meet and talk in the Library, Mirror Room and Ballroom and enjoy the night’s entertainment before we all gather in the Conservatory for the awards to be handed out - once again led by renowned master of ceremonies Alfie Joey. Then there will be more exclusive networking and drinks across this remarkable venue late into the evening.

NOMINATE: If yours is a business that is excelling and growing – or you know of one that deserves to be part of one of the biggest business events of the year – CLICK HERE and nominate them for an award.

BE A PARTNER: If you want to join Amazon and Wynyard as a partner in the BUSINESSiQ Awards, you can sponsor a category or co-host a part of the evening by contacting ryan.fenwick@localiq.co.uk

Richard Thompson, Regional Director, said: “We are delighted to support such an amazing night for North East businesses. Wynyard and Amazon are close neighbours so working together to make this such a unique occasion is a perfect combination.

“Amazon has invested £4 billion into the North East and created 6,500 jobs in the region since 2010 because of the potential of the people.

“It’s an astonishing place that never seems to stop growing and we are happy to continue to be part of what makes the North East a great place to live and work.

“Our staff at the Amazon fulfilment centre just across the road at the Wynyard Business Park, as well as at our other sites in Durham, Darlington, Gateshead and at Jarrow and Washington are all part of the Amazon family.

“And tonight’s BUSINESSiQ Awards are a great opportunity to shine a light on all the businesses that are making this region an amazing success story.

“It’s going to be quite a night.”

Wynyard Hall has been a prestige venue for generations of visitors, sought after by those who want to add style and quality to their events and Marketing Manager Mariel Jones said the new format for the awards was perfect for them.

“One of the secrets to Wynyard’s success over such a long time is that we have kept reinventing what we offer here - but have always been passionate about preserving the unique feeling of a Wynyard Hall event.

“No matter who walks through those famous doors, we want them to feel very special and spend time here that will live with them forever.

“So the chance to provide the setting for such a special business event is exactly what we love doing. The BUSINESSiQ guests on April 11 will have an amazing night enjoying all the luxury Wynyard has to offer. They are welcome to wander our historic rooms, enjoy some lovely food and drink with us and then help celebrate the success we all want for the North East.

“We’re already drawing up the plans to make the Awards another very special Wynyard occasion.”