Dave Robson

Middlesbrough

Senior Reporter and Columnist at Teesside Live

Journalist for The Gazette and Teesside Live increasingly baffled by life in general. And yes, these views are my own

Articles

Business of the Year boss on why Teesside is ‘best place to be’

1 week ago | teesbusiness.co.uk | Dave Robson

When RS Industrial Services CEO Mark Cawley accepted the coveted Business of the Year trophy at the Tees Business Awards, he could barely contain his excitement, declaring Teesside as “the best place in the world” to run an engineering or manufacturing firm. Joyously accepting the trophy from John Gwaringa, finance director of the Tees Business Awards’ headline sponsor, Mark said to win the “big one” in the face of such tough competition was “incredible”.
Former sex worker and alcohol addict hopes to set up recovery centre in Northumberland town

1 week ago | chroniclelive.co.uk | Dave Robson

An addict who battled back from the brink says he hopes to set up a network of recovery centres in the North East to help others on their paths to recovery. Colin Gibson survived a turbulent childhood in the care system, and was struggling with alcohol addiction by his mid-teens. He turned to sex work – charging £180 per client and even featuring in Channel 5 documentary “Selling Sex To Survive”.
Former sex worker and alcohol addict wants to open 'needed' recovery centre in Middlesbrough

1 week ago | gazettelive.co.uk | Dave Robson

An addict who battled back from the brink says he hopes to set up a centre on Teesside to help others on their paths to recovery. By his own admission, it’s remarkable Colin Gibson is even here at all. After a turbulent childhood rattling around the care system and battling a booze addiction since his mid-teens, Colin turned to sex work – charging £180 per client and even featuring in Channel 5 documentary “Selling Sex To Survive”.
Brave Hearts awards joy for some of Teesside's bravest children

1 week ago | gazettelive.co.uk | Dave Robson

Some of Teesside’s most courageous kids have received Brave Hearts awards in an emotional and uplifting ceremony. Every year, amazing children from across the North-east gather for an awards ceremony that never fails to inspire. Each child has been nominated for their award, often by medical staff and social workers, from locations across the region.
SeAH hail ‘fantastic’ young people after clinching Training award

1 week ago | teesbusiness.co.uk | Dave Robson

It’s helping bring the wind of change to Teesside – but Tees Business Awards-winner SeAH Wind hopes its apprentices will ensure it remains here for years to come. The first major employer on the Teesworks site, where it’s creating a huge wind turbine monopile factory, SeAH has so far employed around a quarter of its projected 750-strong Teesside workforce.
‘Humbled’ Imran says directness and teamwork keys to good leadership

1 week ago | teesbusiness.co.uk | Dave Robson

The 2025 Business Leader of the Year, Imran Anwar, says being direct with his team – and them with him – has helped shape his leadership style.
Madcap comic who starred with Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer helping revive Redcar’s ‘Sunshine Corner’

2 weeks ago | gazettelive.co.uk | Dave Robson

It entertained thousands of children at Redcar for decades – and now a comedian who worked with Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer is helping bring “Sunshine Corner” back to the town. In the first half of the 20th century, evangelist Tom Thompson – known as Uncle Tom – regularly staged a light entertainment show and religious service on Redcar beach, opposite the old Royal Hotel. Known as Sunshine Corner, it proved so popular that other Sunshine Corner events sprang up across Yorkshire and beyond.
Fit and healthy dad loses limb after leg pain turns out to be life-changing condition

2 weeks ago | examinerlive.co.uk | Dave Robson

Steve Quinn, a fit and healthy plumbing tutor at Middlesbrough College, experienced a life-altering turn of events after being diagnosed with vasculitis. Affectionately dubbing himself "Ampu-Ste" following the amputation of part of his right leg, Steve has expressed feeling "overwhelmed" by the incredible support he's received from both colleagues and students. Last year, Steve was in perfect health, but his condition swiftly worsened, leading to the need for an amputation on March 4.
Awards to raise cash for much-loved Teesside Hospice

3 weeks ago | teesbusiness.co.uk | Dave Robson

The eagerly-awaited Tees Business Awards will help to raise profile and cash for the much-loved Teesside Hospice next week. Returning for the third year, the Tees Business Awards sees the biggest celebration of business in the Tees region, with a prestigious awards ceremony at Hardwick Hall on the evening of Thursday, April 10. One of the UK’s leading football presenters, Hayley McQueen, has been confirmed as the host for the sell-out event.
Dave Robson talks to Animmersion founder about how the business grew

3 weeks ago | thenorthernecho.co.uk | Dave Robson

Dave Robson braves the world of virtual reality and talks to Animmersion founder and CEO Sam Harrison and his chief design officer, Andy Liddell In today’s rapidly changing world, the advance of technology and AI looks an unstoppable force. Many sectors need to get to grips with it, or an already existing skills gap will continue to widen. And helping bridge that gap by using immersive technologies is one of the key tasks adopted by a pioneer of Teesside’s thriving tech scene.