We are incredibly proud to share that Outrank CEO Stephen Robinson has been named among the Tees region’s top 30 most inspiring business leaders in the 2026 InspiraTees list.
The annual InspiraTees poll, run by Tees Business, asks local businesspeople to vote for the Tees leaders who inspire them most. This year, more than 200 people voted, with around 150 names receiving at least one vote before the final top 30 was revealed.
For Stephen, the recognition came at a particularly memorable time, landing on his 40th birthday. A proud moment for him personally, it is also a huge moment for the whole Outrank team.
Being named alongside some of the region’s most respected entrepreneurs, business owners, charity champions, education leaders and innovators is a brilliant reflection of the work Stephen has put into building Outrank, supporting SMEs and championing the Tees business community.
Recognised by the Tees business community
The InspiraTees list celebrates leaders who are making an impact across the region. This year’s top 30 included well-known names from engineering, education, sport, charity, tech, digital, professional services and the creative industries.
Tees Business reported that the region’s thriving tech and digital sector was strongly represented in the 2026 list, including Stephen Robinson, CEO of Outrank, which was described as the newly crowned Tees Tech Business of the Year.
That recognition means a great deal to everyone at Outrank.
Outrank started in Teesside, grew in Teesside and continues to be proud of its Middlesbrough roots. While we now support businesses across the UK, the Tees Valley remains a huge part of who we are. To see Stephen recognised by peers from the local business community is something we are genuinely proud to celebrate.
A year of momentum for Outrank
Stephen’s place in the InspiraTees top 30 follows a standout period for Outrank.
Earlier this year, Outrank won Tech Business of the Year at the Tees Tech Awards 2026, after being shortlisted alongside Bondgate IT and Tanglewood Games. The award recognised Outrank’s growth, innovation, teamwork and commitment to helping businesses achieve better results online.
For us, awards and recognition are never just about trophies. They are moments that reflect the dedication of the full team, the trust of our clients and the culture that continues to drive the business forward.
Stephen has played a huge role in shaping that direction. As Founder and CEO of Outrank, he is responsible for the strategic direction, growth and performance of the business. He built Outrank to challenge traditional agency models and create a performance-led digital marketing company focused on delivering measurable results for SMEs.
Under his leadership, Outrank has grown into a leading UK agency supporting more than 1,000 clients nationwide.
A birthday to remember
Being named among Teesside’s most inspiring business leaders is special in its own right. Having that news arrive on Stephen’s 40th birthday made it even more memorable.
It gave the team another reason to celebrate, not just the milestone birthday, but the years of hard work, resilience and belief that have gone into building Outrank from the ground up.
Stephen’s journey has always been about more than business growth. It has been about creating opportunities, building a team people are proud to be part of, helping SMEs compete online and showing what ambitious Teesside businesses can achieve.
Stephen said:
“To be named among the Tees region’s most inspiring business leaders is a real honour, especially on my 40th birthday. Outrank has always been built around people, our team, our clients and the Teesside community that has supported us from the start. This recognition means a lot, but it belongs to everyone at Outrank who works hard every day to keep pushing the business forward.”
Inspired by Teesside
One of the strongest themes from this year’s InspiraTees coverage was the importance of the Tees business community itself.
At the InspiraTees celebration, leaders spoke about collaboration, resilience, supporting others and creating opportunities for the next generation. Tees Business described the event as a celebration of the region’s most inspiring business leaders, with 20 of the top 30 gathering at Hardwick Hall Hotel’s Lakeside Marquee to receive their certificates.
Those themes resonate strongly with Outrank.
We believe Teesside is full of ambition, talent and people who want to see each other succeed. Whether it is through digital, technology, marketing, education, charity or industry, the region continues to prove that collaboration can create real momentum.
Stephen’s recognition in the InspiraTees top 30 is another reminder of that.
Thank you from all of us at Outrank
Everyone at Outrank would like to say a huge congratulations to Stephen on being named in the InspiraTees 2026 top 30.
We would also like to congratulate every leader recognised in this year’s list. To be included among such an inspiring group of Tees business figures is something we are extremely proud of.
Most importantly, thank you to the Outrank team, our clients and the wider Teesside business community. Recognition like this is only possible because of the people who support, challenge and believe in what we are building.
Here’s to Stephen, to 40, to InspiraTees, and to everything still to come.
Want to work with an award-winning digital marketing team? Speak to Outrank today and find out how we can help your business grow online.