On Friday 28th March, Projex Solutions had the immense honour of attending the NEPIC Industry Awards 2025, where Managing Director Jamie Ashton and Business Development Manager Lynn O’Callaghan proudly represented our team at the prestigious ceremony held at Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield.

Now in its 20th year, the NEPIC Industry Awards is a standout event in the regional calendar, bringing together over 360 industry leaders to celebrate innovation, achievement and the incredible contributions made by businesses across the North East’s processing industries.

Joanne Fryett, CEO of NEPIC, said:

“It’s always a privilege to showcase the incredible talent and innovation that exists across the processing industries in the North East. This year’s awards reflect the continued growth and impact of our sector, which is driven by passionate individuals and organisations.”

At the NEPIC Industry Awards, Projex Solutions were thrilled to be shortlisted for not just one, but three award categories:

  • The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award
  • The Communities & Reputation Award
  • The Small Business of the Year Award

Competition was tough, so we were absolutely delighted when Projex Solutions were announced as outright winners of the Small Business of the Year Award, proudly sponsored by Costain Group PLC.

This recognition is a testament to the commitment, expertise, and passion of our entire team. Being acknowledged amongst such outstanding businesses across the region is something we are incredibly proud of. At Projex, we continually strive to deliver engineering excellence, while building a strong, inclusive workplace culture and making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.

Giving Back to Inspire Future Innovators

As part of our award win, we were presented with a £2,000 prize to donate to a North East school to support a science-related project. After careful consideration, we chose to donate the prize to Marden Bridge Middle School in Whitley Bay – a school known for its enthusiastic approach to science, technology, and innovation.

Marden Bridge stood out to us not only because of its strong academic focus in STEM subjects, but also due to the passion and forward-thinking attitude of its staff. The school has a clear ambition to provide students with engaging, hands-on learning experiences that go beyond the traditional curriculum — something that aligns closely with our own values at Projex Solutions.

During conversations with Deputy Headteacher and Faculty Leader for Science, Jonny Instone, it became clear that the school had already been exploring exciting ideas such as incorporating 3D printing into classroom projects but lacked the funding to bring these concepts to life. The timing of the award donation couldn’t have been better. Jonny expressed both surprise and gratitude upon hearing the news and shared his excitement about the opportunities the funding would unlock for pupils.

We believe that supporting STEM education at this level is crucial for nurturing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. It’s our hope that this contribution helps to inspire curiosity, spark creativity, and show young students just how exciting a future in science and engineering can be. We look forward to staying in touch with Marden Bridge Middle School and seeing the impact this project has on their students in the months ahead.

A Night to Remember

We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to NEPIC, Costain Group PLC, and everyone involved in making the evening such a special occasion. Congratulations to all the other winners and finalists — it was inspiring to see so much talent and innovation on display throughout the region.

As always, we remain committed to pushing boundaries, delivering value to our clients, and making a positive impact through everything we do.