Opencast wins 2022 Dynamites growth explosion award

Highly commended on equalities

Tyneside-headquartered Opencast was also ‘highly commended’ in the equalities diversity and inclusion category, and head of software development David ‘Sarg’ Sarginson was a finalist for tech champion.

The Dynamites accolade caps a winning November for Opencast - this month the firm was named as the Most Loved Workplace in the North East by Newsweek and as one of the region’s 20 fastest-growing companies by law firm Ward Hadaway. Last month its founder Mike O’Brien was named 2022 entrepreneur of the year by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum.

The past year has seen rapid growth at Opencast, with significant increases in financial performance and people numbers. Turnover leapt by 114% and is expected to rise by another 80% this year. Its staff numbers have also more than doubled – today the business employs close to 400 people.

2022 has also seen Opencast celebrate its 10^th anniversary – and open a new office HQ at Hoults Yard in Byker, as well as new office hubs in London, Leeds and Edinburgh.

Welcoming the growth award win, Opencast chief executive Tom Lawson said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been named as the winner of the 2022 Dynamites growth explosion award. It has been another fantastic year for the business, with our growth exceeding all expectations.

“But our business growth is not for growth’s sake,” he added. “It is a direct response to the demand from our from clients and partners to tackle ever-more complex challenges. Much of this work is in government, delivering critical public services to citizens. We expect our growth to accelerate even faster in the year ahead – including growing further into sectors including health, fintech and green energy.

“We’re delighted also to have been highly commended in the Dynamites equalities diversity and inclusion category – and could not be prouder of our brilliant head of software development David ‘Sarg’ Sarginson for being a finalist in the Dynamites tech champion category.

“Our recognition by Newsweek earlier this month as a top 20 UK Most Loved Business demonstrates the reality to our people that our business growth is not at the expense of our people. We are more determined than ever not to lose our people-focused culture.”

Tom added: “I am extremely proud of the incredible Opencast team for this award win. Congratulations to all the other winners and finalists in this year’s Dynamites – and thanks to Dynamo North East for the brilliant work it does promoting regional technology business.”

Read the full list of Dynamites 2022 winners.