The finalists in the North East Contact Centre awards have been announced, following a record number of entries.

Back for its 15th year, the awards event benefits from the addition of three new categories, including Outstanding Contribution to the Community, Recruitment Champion and North East Contact Centre of the Year – Under 50 Seats.

Hosted on Friday February 2nd by MAKE IT Sunderland, the event is being supported by headline sponsor greenbean by NRG. EC Outsourcing, Go North East, Santander and Jabra will also support the event as sponsors.

Leanne Chambers, client solutions director at greenbean by NRG, said: “Congratulations to everyone reaching the North East Contact Centre Awards 2017 shortlist. The North East is home to some of the best contact centres in Europe, leading the way in improving the customer and colleague experience.

“The NECCA have received a record number of nominations making this year’s competition tougher than ever. To reach the shortlist is a fantastic achievement of all those involved, well done and good luck during the judging process.”

The shortlist is as follows:

Contact Centre Adviser of the Year 2017:

Fiona Embleton – Sage UK Ltd

Amy Wemyss – Utilitywise PLC

Danny O’Reagan – Atom Bank

Ryan Adie – Lead the Way UK Ltd

Multi Channel Adviser of the Year 2017:

Kayleigh Miller – Atom Bank

Philip Key – Atom Bank

Danny O’Reagan – Atom Bank

Craig Donnison – Sage UK Ltd

Andy Marshall – Atom Bank

Jack Collier – Virgin Trains East Coast

Sales Star 2017:

Karen Gray – Virgin Trains East Coast

Andrew Chadkirk – Choice Future Planning

Anthony Hodgson – Sage UK Ltd

Mark Ferguson – Lead the Way UK Ltd

Customer Experience Champion 2017:

Lucy Hogg – Sage UK Ltd

Arran Whitaker – AXA

Alan Rodmell  – Sage UK Ltd

Devinder Singh – Firstsource Solutions Ltd

Inspirational Leader 2017:

Gillian Beattie – Lead the Way UK Ltd

Ben Evans – Atom Bank

Jonny Auton – Firstsource Solutions Ltd

Sam Oakley – Sage UK Ltd

Recruitment Champion 2017:

Firstsource HR Team Middlesbrough – Firstsource Solutions Ltd

Resource Team – Atom Bank

People Development Heroes 2017:

New acquisition sales coaches – Sage UK Ltd

Talent development team – BGL Group

Development academy team – AXA

GEAR programme – Insurethebox

Contact Centre Dream Team 2017:

Resource Team – Sage UK Ltd

Digital Knowledge Team – Sage UK Ltd

Social Engagement Team – Barclaycard

Customer Support Leadership Team – Atom Bank

UK Cards & Commercial Payments Learning Team – Barclaycard

Outstanding Contribution to Community 2017:

Utility Alliance

MI Community Team – BGL Group

Charity & Community Team – Santander

Newcastle Community Team – Tesco Bank

North East Contact Centre of the Year 2017, under 50 seats:

LTW Leads

Customer Support Team – Atom Bank

Bereavement Assist – Santander

Choice Future Planning

North East Contact Centre of the Year 2017, over 50 and under 250 seats:

EC Outsourcing

Firstsource Solutions Middlesbrough

Customer Service Op – Northern Powergrid

Spark Response Contact Centre

Banking Assist Team Newcastle – Tesco

North East Contact Centre of the Year 2017, over 250 seats:

Utility Alliance

Auxillis

BGL Customer Services

Echo-U