NET 250: The North East's top 250 businesses revealed

The North East’s top-performing businesses have been honoured at a special awards ceremony.

The top 250 organisations by turnover were celebrated at today’s (Thursday, May 14) NET 250 ceremony.

Attracting more than 200 guests to Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, the ceremony handed out awards to operators spanning Northumberland to Tees Valley.

Car maker Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd – Sunderland Plant picked up two accolades, including the Number One Company in the North East honour at the event, which was delivered by Bdaily publisher NET alongside Newcastle University Business School and global professional services firm PwC.

Stockton, Guisborough and Northallerton-based car dealership Simon Bailes Peugeot was named Fastest Growing Company, with Middlesbrough-headquartered national operator Cleveland Cable Company taking away the Top Family-Owned Company prize.

The Highest New Entrant category was won by global intelligence and software firm Hubexo, which includes Newcastle-based NBS; Newcastle Building Society picked up the Top 50 Breakthrough award; and The Giving Award went to Greggs, with Bellway and Esh Group highly commended.

The Number One Company in the Tees Valley Combined Authority area award was won by vehicle rental firm ZIGUP, which includes Darlington-based Northgate Vehicle Hire; the Top Privately Owned Company accolade went to Go-Ahead Group; and Penny Petroleum secured the Highest Climber honour.

The NET 250 Champion Award – which celebrates an organisation’s financial successes, as well as its wider market and community impact – was won by British Engines. 

And Dame Irene Hays, Hays Travel owner and chair of Sunderland-headquartered Hays Travel received the special recognition award.

  Steven Hugill, NET editor-in-chief, said: “It was a pleasure to once again celebrate the North East’s fantastic business community with the latest NET 250 unveiling.

“The North East’s commercial landscape is rich with organisations whose spirit, ingenuity and skill continues to deliver not just great services but the innovations of tomorrow.

“Congratulations to all NET 250 category winners, and to every company that made it onto the list.”

The 2026 NET 250 category winners:

Number One Company in the North East, in partnership with Womble Bond Dickinson

Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd – Sunderland Plant: Turnover £6.63 billion

Fastest Growing Company, in partnership with Hill Dickinson LLP

Simon Bailes Peugeot: Turnover £104.01 million

Top Family-Owned Company, in partnership with Maven Capital Partners

Cleveland Cable Company: Turnover £515.55 million

Highest New Entrant, in partnership with Entrepreneurs’ Forum 

Hubexo: Turnover £121.45 million

Top 50 Breakthrough, in partnership with FRP Corporate Finance 

Newcastle Building Society: Turnover £335.70 million

Number One Company in the North East Combined Authority area, in partnership with Motivait

Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd – Sunderland Plant: Turnover £6.63 billion

The Giving Back Award, in partnership with Community Foundation North East

Greggs (Highly commended: Bellway | Esh Group)

Number one company in the Tees Valley Combined Authority area, in partnership with Jackson Hogg

ZIGUP: Turnover £1.81 billion

Top Privately Owned Company, in partnership with S&W

Go-Ahead Group: Turnover £3.56 billion

Highest Climber, in partnership with Raymond James Monument

Penny Petroleum: Turnover £183.62 million

NET 250 Champion Award, in partnership with Knights

British Engines

Special Recognition Award, in partnership with PwC

Dame Irene Hays, Hays Travel owner and chair

Read the full 2026 NET 250 list here

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