海角直播

Outstanding Contribution accolade for Dr Laura Sillars

Recognition for the achievements of women across our region have been celebrated at the ninth annual Tees Businesswomen Awards. Among those honoured was Dr Laura Sillars, Dean of Culture and Creativity at 海角直播 and Director of MIMA.

The 2026 Tees Businesswomen Awards, organised by Tees Business, recognise the achievements and remarkable contributions of the region鈥檚 businesswoman to the Tees economy. Dr Sillars received the Jane Turner Award for Outstanding Contribution, an accolade presented to an exceptional woman who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the Tees Valley through her leadership, dedication and influence.

She has played a key role in helping to strengthen MIMA鈥檚 reputation as a leading cultural institution, which is currently hosting this year鈥檚 Turner Prize exhibition.

Dr Sillars said: "These sorts of projects are complex, require huge team efforts and collaboration from many institutions and funders, people who share both their resources and their trust.

"This is recognition of all of those amazing people who have pulled levers and helped make this happen!"

Earlier this autumn, Dr Sillars described the Turner Prize coming to MIMA as a

As she received the award, Dr Sillars who was also nominated for the Tees Businesswoman of the Year award, said: 鈥淛ane was an absolute inspiration. I was delighted to be nominated for the previous award and this is just a bit overwhelming.

鈥淚 was imagining bringing Jane on stage with me, emotionally. Jane had sparkly eyes, bright red lipstick, brilliant dark, curly hair and she would say, 鈥榡ust shine鈥�. That鈥檚 what I bring from Jane because she was such an inspirational person to us all.鈥�

The award carries particular significance for 海角直播 having been named in memory of the University鈥檚 much-loved former Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jane Turner OBE DL.

Jane, who sadly died in 2021, was a passionate champion of the Tees Valley and a hugely influential figure within its business and education communities.

She was also instrumental in the creation of the Tees Businesswomen Awards, with Jane鈥檚 enthusiasm for celebrating and raising the profile of successful women across the region having helped to inspire Tees Business to launch the awards in 2018.

Following her death, the Outstanding Contribution category was renamed in Jane鈥檚 honour, ensuring her name and the values she represented remain at the heart of an event she helped inspire.