Finalists 2026

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for the 2026 North East Accountancy Awards. See the categories below to discover the successful nominees who made it through to the final stage of the nomination process:

Accounting Apprentice of the Year

Finalists:

  • Adam Wright, Everyturn
  • Reece Swaddle, S&W
  • Kiera Throw, KPMG
  • Cameron Abbott Gardener, Durham University
  • Jack Cocker, S&W
  • Tasmin Strickland, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

Rising Star Accountant of the Year

Finalists:

  • Michael Sanderson, Johnston Carmichael
  • James Cockburn, FRP Corporate Finance
  • Maria Black, M Group Energy
  • Jayne Hindmarsh, Azets
  • Adam Bains, Everyturn
  • Elis Knowles-Levitt, Newcastle City Council
  • Paige Robson, razorblue Group
  • Millie Allen, S&W

Excellence in Finance

Finalists

  • Ben Molyneux, Rust-Oleum Europe
  • Anthony Tunmore, Northland Group UK&I
  • Laura Walker, Baines Jewitt
  • Gemma Waggott, Durham University
  • Laura Sharp, S&W
Finance Leader of the Year

Finalists:

  • Jack Harrison, razorblue Group
  • Anthony Tunmore, Northland Group UK&I
  • Lee Humble, Azets
  • Mark Nicholson, Newcastle City Council
  • Charles Tateson, The Tax Faculty
  • Richard O’Donnell, Logic Manufactured Bespoke
  • Ian Black, GT Group
  • Sarah Bedford, HMB Accountants

Excellence in Tax

Finalists:

  • Hilary Bevan, Bevan VAT Consultancy
  • Johnston Carmichael VAT Team
  • Claire Smailes, Azets
  • The Tax Faculty
  • Jessica Brook, S&W
  • KPMG Family Office & Private Client tax team, KPMG

Diversity Champion of the Year

Finalists:

  • FRP Corporate Finance
  • Beach Accountant
Business Finance Team of the Year

Finalists:

  • Logic Manufactured Bespoke
  • Sage Plc
  • Visualsoft
  • M Group – Energy
  • Darlington Building Society
  • GT Emissions Systems
  • razorblue Group

Public Sector Finance Team of the Year

Finalists:

  • Connected Voice
  • Durham University
  • Everyturn Mental Health

Corporate Finance Deal of the Year

Finalists:

  • Cavu Corporate Finance – LDC investment in Shoptimised
  • FRP Corporate Finance – Advisers to leading provider of social housing regeneration services, Buston & Maughan, in securing a minority investment from Foresight Group.
  • Cavu Corporate Finance – United Infrastructure Acquisition of Wood T&D
  • Ryecroft Glenton / GT Group – Debt funded MBO of Specialist Northeast Manufacturer GT Group
  • Azets – Investment in Aircards by Foresight Group
  • Ryecroft Glenton – The sale of Quorum to Volue
  • Azets – Sale of Big Bite Create to WPE Engine

 

Progressive and Emerging Firm of the Year

Finalists:

  • Beach Accountants
  • KL Accountants
  • HMB Accountants
  • JACCOUNTANCY (UK)
  • Jones Boyd
  • The Tax Faculty
National Accountancy Firm of the Year

Finalists:

  • Azets
  • KPMG
  • Johnston Carmichael