Building Design Northern (BDN) have won SME Business of the Year at the Sunderland Echo Business Excellence Awards.

The Sunderland and Ulverston based Architects and Engineers were awarded SME Business of the Year, at the annual ceremony on 17th November 2022.

The awards celebrate the most ambitious, innovative, and hard-working businesses across Wearside and County Durham. The SME Business of the Year category represents small or medium enterprises (SME’s) that stand out from the crowd, due to performance, growth, and dynamism.

BDN’s win follows a period of rapid growth for the Northern firm, growing from 14 to 26 employees in just 18 months. Having relocated their Head Office to Sunderland in 2021, the multi-disciplinary practice has rapidly grown its roots in the city and is playing an instrumental role in its transformation.

The restoration of the Stables at Sheepfolds is the latest in a long line of projects that the firm is involved in in Sunderland, having worked on designs and engineering for Spire View, Ashburne House, Mackie’s Corner, as well as leading the mixed-use renovations of Simpson Street School. BDN was also appointed by Sunderland City Council to support an ambitious £59m housing development programme across the city.

BDN has strengthened its ties to further education providers across the North East in the past 12 months, employing 5 apprentices and engaging with T-Level students, leading, and inspiring the next generation about careers in construction.

The company has also entered into a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Northumbria University this year, placing BDN at the forefront of innovation, and allowing the business to utilise the vast expertise held within the university.

Richard Marsden, Managing Director, said, “We are delighted to have been awarded SME Business of the Year. It is great for our hard work to be recognised and it was a privilege to be up against local Sunderland businesses, in celebrating the success across our region.

“As a Sunderland based firm, with a young, local workforce, we are dedicated in the transformation of the city, committed to designing stunning spaces to create incredible opportunities for the people of Sunderland. BDN are committed in making a mark on the city for generations to come, and receiving this award is a testament to our team’s hard work.”

Congratulations to all other winners and nominees! Read more about the awards here > Home – Sunderland Echo Business Excellence Awards (sunderlandbusinessawards.co.uk)