AN engineering consultancy company which has trebled its staff in the past year has picked up two awards at the NOF Energy Awards.

Billingham firm Phusion, formerly known as Pearson Harper, won the Company of the Year and International Business awards after increasing its exports to 80 per cent of its business and increasing its global workforce three-fold.

Run by power sector business support organisation NOF energy, the awards, which recognise companies in the oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewable industries, also saw North-East firms Darchem, OSBIT Power and Deep Ocean pick up awards.

Hosted by BBC TV presenter, Wendy Gibson, the sell-out event at the Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield, County Durham, saw Northumberland-based OSBIT Power, which provides offshore engineering solutions, collect the Innovation and Technology Award for work on a project which judges said developed a robust, but unique, solution to a real industry problem.

Best New Talent Award went to former advanced apprentice and manufacturing engineer James Watmore of Stillington-based Darchem Engineering.

James had already gained national recognition in the sector as Nuclear Apprentice and Supply Chain Apprentice of the Year and will continue his studies through higher education.

The Energy Sector Diversification Award went to subsea engineering firm DeepOcean, based in Darlington, which won the title for its strong strategic commitment to diversification.

Following the award presentations, guests enjoyed a Scottish-themed evening with entertainment from Scottish comedian Andy Cameron and bagpipe rock music by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

George Rafferty, chief executive of NOF Energy, said: “The energy sector supply chain is a jewel in the crown of British industry and the UK economy.

“The NOF Energy awards recognise the continuing excellence being demonstrated by companies within the supply chain, both within the UK and internationally, as well as the innovative approaches to meeting the technical and commercial challenges of a truly global industry and rightly celebrates these achievements.”