He may have been named Businessperson of the Year at the Make Your Mark Awards – but for Senstronics MD Andy Reed, it was all about the team.
In just two years at the helm, Andy has stamped his own mark on the company, which produces millions of pressure sensors for industries across the world.
In a special night for Senstronics, the firm also won the coveted Company of the Year title.
But when asked what makes a good business leader, Andy was keen to share the credit.
He said: “It’s all about our people – nothing ever gets done without the people.
“One of the things we’ve done at Senstronics, and one of the things I’ve personally brought, is a real focus on everybody in the organisation – being able to focus on making sure people are paid fairly, making sure they have all the benefits they should get.
“We want to be an importer of talent. Senstronics has been an exporter of talent – people have taken our team members so we really want to be a great place to work so that doesn’t happen.
“It’s part of our values and it’s all about putting people first and foremost and making sure Senstronics is a place where I would want to work if I was at any other organisation.
“I started as an electrical mechanical apprentice and have been lucky enough to work with some really good global organisations.
“I’ve worked all over the world and in different industries – I’ve had some really good jobs, had some not so good jobs, but all that brings experience.
“Because I started as an apprentice, I know what it’s like to be on the bottom rung of the ladder and I’ve never forgotten that.
“I make sure my team and everybody realises that the people on the shop floor are the ones that add value to the business.”
After receiving his award from category sponsor Melissa Coutts of Recruitrite, Andy admitted: “I’m a little bit speechless, which is quite unusual for me as my team will attest to.
“But I’m really proud to have won this – really proud that other people have noticed what we’ve done and really proud of the team that I manage and lead. No one can do this on their own.
“There are so many talented people around Newton Aycliffe and the room tonight is full of winners.
“To be voted top of some of them is an amazing achievement that I never really expected. It was a surprise when I got nominated by Kate, my HR manager – to win it is unbelievable.”
In a really strong shortlist, Andy pipped BTS Facades and Fabrications finance director Marcia Atkinson and Digital Edge’s Graham Marsh to the trophy – one of 11 handed out on a night full of excitement and pride in what goes on at Aycliffe Business Park.
Hosted by BBC Radio Tees presenter Gary Philipson, the evening was, for the first time, organised by Resolution Media and Publishing on behalf of Aycliffe Business Park Community.