Last night, the Tees Business Businesswomen Awards 2025 brought together some of the most inspiring women and businesses across the Tees Valley and Outrank was proud to be among them!
We were shortlisted for two incredible awards: Business of the Year and Businesswoman of the Year, recognising our Operations Director Francesca Kosina. And while we didn’t take home the trophies this time, the evening was filled with celebration, connection, and pride in what women across the region are achieving.
The event, hosted at Hardwick Hall’s Coleman Suite, and organised by Tees Business in association with headline sponsor Middlesbrough College Group, the eighth annual awards truly celebrated the power of women across the region, from education and entrepreneurship to digital innovation and community impact.
Our brand ambassador, Sara Davies MBE, a Teesside-born entrepreneur, investor, and star of Dragons’ Den, joined us for the evening to celebrate the achievements of women in business. As a woman who has built and fronted multiple successful businesses, Sara continues to inspire the next generation of female leaders with her energy, vision, and dedication to entrepreneurship, making the night even more special.
Sharon Braithwaite, Eco Systems Manager at Barclays Eagle Labs, also joined the Outrank team to celebrate. With 16 years at Barclays progressing from Cashier to her current role, Sharon is passionate about connecting businesses, supporting startups and SMEs, and empowering women in technology and leadership, all while championing wellbeing and kindness in the workplace.
The atmosphere was one of pride and solidarity. The night saw Tracerco’s Rachel Burke crowned Tees Businesswoman of the Year, while Elite Energy Eco took home Business of the Year and Sophie Dunn named as Best Newcomer. Inspirational figures such as Dr Coleen Mercer-Quinn of REFLECT Yarm, Katrina Morley OBE of Tees Valley Education, and My Sisters Place as Charity of the Year!
The awards closed on a deeply emotional note as Ann Ming MBE received the Jane Turner Award for Outstanding Contribution, earning a standing ovation from the entire room. Ann’s decades-long fight to overturn the UK’s 800-year-old Double Jeopardy Law, following the tragic loss of her daughter Julie, has inspired a nation. Her story, recently portrayed by Sheridan Smith in a TV drama, touched everyone in attendance. Sheridan even sent a heartfelt message thanking Ann for her strength and courage, a truly unforgettable moment.
A Night of Recognition and Pride
At Outrank, we’ve always believed that people make the business, their energy, their creativity, and their ideas are what keep us moving forward. Being shortlisted for Business of the Year and Businesswoman of the Year was more than a milestone, it was recognition of the leadership, teamwork, and innovation that power Outrank every single day.
Francesca Kosina: Leading with Purpose
Since joining Outrank in 2023, Francesca Kosina has transformed the way we operate. From restructuring internal processes and growing our team from 17 to 44, to maintaining a remarkable 94% client retention rate, Francesca’s leadership has had a tangible impact.
She’s not only driven business growth but also built a culture that values people first, a culture that’s earned Outrank a place in:
- The Times Top 100 Best Places to Work 2025
- 3rd in the UK’s Best Workplaces 2025 List
- 40th in the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women 2025
- And recognition among Ward Hadaways North East’s Fastest 50 Companies
Francesca’s nomination for Businesswoman of the Year is a reflection of her passion, her leadership, and the positive, inclusive workplace she continues to nurture. She leads with energy, empathy, and the drive to help others succeed, qualities that make her such an inspiring figure within Outrank and the wider Tees Valley business community. BIG FRAN OF YOUR WORK!
The Women Who Make Outrank Shine
Our Business of the Year nomination is a tribute to every single woman who helps Outrank thrive. From SEO strategists and digital marketers to designers, content creators, and account managers, the women of Outrank are the heartbeat of our success.
They bring creativity, determination, and fresh ideas to every project. Their voices shape our campaigns, their innovation drives our growth, and their collaboration strengthens our culture.
As one of our team members put it:
“Here, I truly feel heard, respected, and valued, not just as a professional, but as a woman.”
That’s what makes Outrank special. It’s a place where women are empowered to grow, take on leadership roles, and see their contributions recognised and celebrated.
Getting Glam for the Big Night
It wasn’t just a night of business brilliance; it was also a celebration of style, confidence, and women supporting women right down to the details.
Two fantastic local business women helped the Outrank team feel their best for the awards:
Louise from uGlow, who was also shortlisted for Small Business of the Year, joined us at the Outrank office to give the girls a glow with her expert spray tans. Her professionalism and positivity set the perfect tone for the evening.
And the finishing touch came from Amanda Bell, an award-winning makeup artist based in Teesside, who worked her magic to create stunning looks for the team. Amanda’s artistry and passion for empowering women through beauty perfectly reflected the spirit of the night.
Both women are shining examples of the incredible female-led businesses thriving in the Tees Valley, supportive, creative, and full of talent.
A Workplace Where Women Thrive
Outrank has always been about creating opportunities for everyone, and ensuring women in our team feel supported, heard, and empowered is a huge part of that.
We’re proud to have been named one of the Top Places to Work for Women in the UK, and it’s a recognition that truly reflects who we are. Whether it’s leadership development, mentoring, or simply creating a culture where every voice matters, we make sure our team feels valued and empowered to reach their goals.
This year, we were also shortlisted for Best Agency Culture, another award that means the world to us. Our culture is built on collaboration, creativity, and respect, and we’re thrilled to see that recognised across the industry.
A Win Beyond Awards
While we didn’t take home the trophies this time, the real victory lies in what the night represented, the strength of community, the celebration of women in business, and the pride we feel in being part of such a supportive region.
The Tees Business Businesswomen Awards remind us that success is about more than titles; it’s about lifting others up, sharing stories that inspire, and showing the next generation that there are no limits to what they can achieve.
As a proud Tees Valley business, we’re passionate about championing local success and female leadership. Whether through initiatives like the This Is Tees Valley magazine launch or our continued growth as a leading digital agency, we’re committed to helping shape a region where women and businesses can thrive together.
Thank You!
To every woman at Outrank, thank you.
Thank you for your ideas, your collaboration, your drive, and your creativity. You’re not only the foundation of our success but also the inspiration behind our progress.
And to our wider team, thank you for building an environment where everyone can grow, where ideas are shared, and where ambition is celebrated.
At Outrank, we’ll always put people first, culture always, and growth that means something.
Here’s to the women of Outrank, to leadership, innovation, and a future we’ll continue to build together.