William Smith Group 1832 has picked up its second workplace award of the year, winning Best Place to Work at the North East Business Awards.
Two workplace titles in a single year have confirmed the strength of company culture at William Smith Group 1832, following its Best Place to Work win at the North East Business Awards grand final. The Barnard Castle materials distributor collected the trophy on 1 October at Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield, adding to its listing in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 earlier this year.
While The Sunday Times ranking came directly from internal employee surveys, this latest win was decided by an independent panel from the regional business community. The company has traded since 1832 and still runs on a family ethos shaped by three staff-led values: Treat Everyone Like Family, Encourage Innovation, and Make It Happen. A dedicated internal group, the Culture Club, meets every month to review staff feedback and put practical ideas into action.
Head of Marketing at William Smith Group 1832, Lindsay Hutchinson, commented, “This award belongs to our people. Everyone here has helped shape the culture we have today, through the feedback they give us and the way they look after our customers and each other. To be recognised alongside the best businesses in the North East is something the whole team can be proud of.”
For sign makers, vehicle wrappers, and commercial graphics installers, high staff retention delivers direct trade benefits. Experienced staff provide technical advice on selecting and applying self-adhesive films for shop fronts, vehicle livery, windows, and interior walls. To keep that knowledge sharp, the company runs regular internal training so trade customers get reliable answers on the phone.
Hutchinson added, “Our customers notice the difference when they speak to someone who knows the products inside out and knows their business too. Looking after our team is how we look after our customers. When people feel valued they stay, they learn, and they pass that knowledge on to the next generation coming into the industry.”
Organised by Reach plc, publisher of ChronicleLive and BusinessLive, the awards brought together leading employers from across the region. Hutchinson concluded, “This business has been going since 1832 and we intend to be here for a long time yet. Two awards in one year tell us we are on the right track. We will keep listening to our team, keep investing in them, and keep making William Smith a place where people want to build a career and where customers know they will get the right answer first time.”