Hear from the winners of the 2026 North East Fastest 50 Awards

Overall winners and fastest-growing large business: Barrier Group

Wallsend headquartered Barrier Group was named the overall winner of the 2026 Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50, as well as taking first place in the large business category. Marking its 50th anniversary last year, the business operates across industrial services, façade cladding, specialist coatings, fire protection and modular fabrication. Recent investment has included new riverside facilities on Teesside, where the company is expanding its modular fabrication capability for offshore and onshore markets.

Speaking after Barrier Group’s double win as overall Fastest 50 winner and fastest growing large business, Operations Director Kevin Judson, said: “To be named the overall Fastest 50 winner in our 51st year is a fantastic achievement for everyone at Barrier Group and something we’re incredibly proud of.”

“Building from a solid foundation in our core business sectors, our growth plans to diversify as primary module builder and outfitter, is now really beginning to pay off. The investment in a substantial yard facility on Teesside has given us the platform to strengthen our position as a key supplier in the offshore modular sector. Efforts have been focused on securing what is now a very healthy forward-order book spanning over several years. This provides a strong and consolidated position for continued growth, aligned with our long-term plans. We’re now focusing on onshore modular markets, where we see a significant opportunity for further growth.”

“This award recognises the efforts and commitment by everyone at Barrier who have helped us get to this point. We have the infrastructure and team in place to support the next phase of growth.”

Fastest-growing medium business: OES Group

Gateshead-based OES Group took first place in the medium business category. Founded six years ago, the business provides corrosion protection and anti-fouling systems for the offshore, maritime and harbour infrastructure sectors, with offshore wind now a major part of its work. The company has grown rapidly and is expanding into the Middle East and South Africa, with further product development and international growth planned.

Reflecting on OES Group taking the top spot in the medium business category, Robert Forsyth, Managing Director, said: “We started the business six years ago and have grown very quickly since then. Offshore wind has become a huge part of what we do, and I think our success has come down to commitment, working hard and delivering a quality product with a really strong level of service.

“You have to back yourself, but you also need good people around you. My business partner and I support each other, and we have built a team that is completely committed to what we are doing. The next step is to keep that trajectory going, with new products and new markets. We can see a lot more opportunity ahead and expect the business to continue growing strongly.”

Fastest-growing small business: The Media Den

Newton Aycliffe-based The Media Den took first place in the small business category. Founded by school friends Craig Maddison and Aaron Duff the company owns and operates a network of comparison websites and online marketplaces connecting consumers with businesses offering services including solar PV and air source heat pumps. Working across the renewable energy sector the business combines its own technology with a focus on high-quality enquiries and long-term client relationships.

After being named this year’s fastest growing small business, Craig Maddison, co-founder of The Media Den, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to win the small business category. We’ve known each other since school and have built the business together over the past four years, so to have that recognised through the Fastest 50 is a really proud moment for us.”

Co-founder Aaron Duff added: “We’ve always focused on delivering the kind of lead we would want to receive ourselves if we were sitting in the sales team. Lead generation can have a poor reputation, so we stripped things back and focused on quality, strong client relationships and building the technology behind the business.

“We’re really excited about what comes next. We have a number of projects in the pipeline and we’re continuing to invest in the technology and relationships that have helped us grow so far.”

Click here to view the full list of 2026’s Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50 businesses.