NET 250 Returns to Spotlight the North East’s Top Firms
Newcastle University Business School has once again joined forces with North East Times (NET) on the next edition of NET 250 – a flagship campaign championing the North East’s most successful companies.
11 December 2025
Following the successful launch of NET 250 last year, the School and NET continue to recognise the strength, resilience and innovation of the region’s business community. NET 250 highlights the top 250 companies in the North East by turnover and plays a key role in showcasing the economic engine that drives the region forward.
Students driving NET 250 research
The project places students from Newcastle University Business School at the heart of the region’s leading business research. For the second year running, they are at the centre of the research that powers the NET 250 list.
The student project team consists of:
- Raichal Joju Panakkal, Finance MSc
- Fabin Manu, Accounting, Finance and Financial Analysis MSc
- Carly Martin, Accounting, Finance and Financial Analysis MSc
- Will Lawson, Economics BSc
Supported by academic supervisor Aidan Beck, Lecturer in Accounting, the students will carry out independent research using financial data from public sources, including Companies House and a range of business databases. Their work will be rigorously checked and formally audited by PwC before the final listing is published.
The challenge has already proved hugely valuable for our students, helping them strengthen their skillsets, deepen their understanding of the North East business landscape, and uncover new insights through handson research.
Students are able to develop a detailed understanding of the region’s business environment, gaining exposure to a wide range of organisational structures and financial reporting styles.
Carly reflected on this: “The differing business structures were fascinating to examine. We saw real-world examples of how a company’s accounts can change from year to year following a merger or acquisition. Some companies shared the same director, address and had similar names but were reported separately. Conversely, others only had accounts available as part of their parent company’s consolidated statements.”
For some students, the project also highlighted the scale and strength of the region’s major employers. The collaborative nature of NET250 was another highlight for many, offering the chance to experience a professional working environment.
The companies will be unveiled at an exclusive breakfast event on Thursday 14 May, between 8.30am to 11.30am at The Hilton Gateshead.
Meet the students
Raichal Joju Panakkal
Finance MSc student
“I really enjoyed the insight NET250 gave me into companies in the North East. It helped me understand more about how different businesses in the region operate. I also learned a lot along the way. Working closely with my team and collaborating on the project was one of the best parts.”
Fabin Manu
Accounting, Finance and Financial Analysis MSc student
“The companies that really caught my eye were Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Limited, Vertu Motors PLC, and The GoAhead Group Limited. These three were the top dogs in revenue from the NECA region, which made me realise just how strong businesses are in that corner of the North East.”
Carly Martin
Accounting, Finance and Financial Analysis MSc student
“Working on this project was enjoyable in many ways, that said, I most enjoyed learning more about the business landscape in the North East of England and working collaboratively with my peers.
"As an international student, I am not very familiar with the UK’s economic and corporate. More specifically, this internship opened my eyes to the different companies finding success in the North East region and, in multiple cases (such as Nissan) around the world.
"Furthermore, I will cherish the friendships I made while working on this project. My groupmates and I leaned on one another, asking questions when we were unsure, peer reviewing each other’s work and providing overall support throughout this project.”
Will Lawson
Economics BSc student
“Excel has definitely been the skill I have improved the most. I have become much more efficient with using it and have learnt formulas and shortcuts that I will use in the future. It was also great to work with a group of students in a professional setting, improving teamwork, communication and coordination.”
Celebrating industry collaboration
Highlighting the continuation of this project, John Duns, NET Business Development Director, said: “We’re delighted to be once again working with Newcastle University Business School to deliver The NET 250.
“Last year’s inaugural event was a huge success, helped in no small part by the endeavours of the Newcastle University Business School team, led by academic supervisor Aidan Beck.
“The team’s hard work and expertise created a list of the region’s top-performing organisations by turnover – now an incredibly valuable source of information on the North East’s commercial landscape.
“We’ve introduced new categories for next year’s event, which will showcase more of the region’s exceptional organisations and allow us to celebrate their achievements.
“We’re really looking forward to the ceremony.”