Welcome to this celebratory supplement profiling the winners and runners-up in the 2005 North East Business Executive of the Year Awards. The accolades are now in their 22nd year and must be one of the longest-running business events in the UK. In 2001 they became bigger and better with the introduction of honours covering the Tees Valley, Durham and Wearside, and Tyneside and Northumberland areas. Those taking the top title in these sub-regions went on to compete for the honour of being crowned North East Business Executive of the Year. An award for the Young Business Person of the Year, aimed at entrepreneurs aged under 30, was also introduced. Also on the awards menu is a Lifetime Achievement trophy. The purpose of the event, organised by the Evening Gazette and its sister paper The Journal in Newcastle, is to highlight and celebrate the individual achievement of business executives in the region. This year's shortlist contained an impressive list of contenders. Sir Ian Wrigglesworth, chairman of the judges, said: "All the contenders were outstanding individuals - people with drive, dynamism and leadership ability." He added: "All the finalists, whatever their expertise, are a tremendous credit to North-east business success and deserve acclaim - especially as almost 90 contenders in all were considered." As well as highlighting people who have already made their mark in the commercial arena, those who are shaping up to be the business stars of the future were honoured in a Young Business Person of the Year category. And there was also a lifetime achievement award. This is presented annually to someone who is felt to have made a major contribution over a working lifetime, not only to a company but also to the region's broader interests. Encouraging leadership is one single issue which unites the agenda of a whole range of initiatives. For leadership is key to transforming the economic performance of the region. And those who were vying to be crowned North East Business Executive of the Year 2005 had this quality - and many other aspects of vital business acumen - in abundance. The accolades were backed by Arriva, Dickinson Dees, Newcastle University Business School, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Royal Bank of Scotland and Teesside Business School. | 
