Brian Beaumont, who passed away suddenly at home last December at the age of 84, was a towering pillar of the town’s enterprise scene for decades.
A retired partner at the accountancy firm Waltons Clark Whitehill – which later evolved into Waltons – Brian was widely known and deeply respected across the town.
Even in retirement, Brian’s passion for the local economy never waned. He continued to dedicate his time to supporting organisations through business development and mentoring, using his wealth of experience to help aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners make confident, strategic decisions.
His commitment to the region was also evident in his tenure as a former president of the Teesside Chamber of Commerce.
Brian’s connection to the Hartlepool Business Awards is foundational.
Alongside the late Peter Olsen, he played a pioneering role in creating the premier event well before the pandemic, providing a vital platform to celebrate the town’s commercial successes and entrepreneurial spirit.
Simon Corbett, chair of the Hartlepool Business Forum who will co-host the awards, said: “Brian was the very heartbeat of the Hartlepool business community for so many years and a true gentleman who generously gave his time to see others succeed. Because of his instrumental role in creating the Hartlepool Business Awards alongside Peter Olsen, it is only right that we pay a special tribute to him at this year’s ceremony in October.”
He added: “His passing just before Christmas left a massive void in our community. We want to use this year’s event to officially honour his incredible legacy, remember the personal warmth, wisdom and encouragement he brought to every room, and celebrate the immense contribution he made to the town’s premier business event. We simply wouldn’t be where we are today without him.”
In 2015, the spotlight was rightfully turned back on Brian when he was named Hartlepool Business Leader of the Year.
He was celebrated at the time as a ‘hugely popular winner’ whose longstanding links and tireless advocacy for local enterprise made him a natural, undisputed choice for the accolade.
Now, the Hartlepool Business Forum, which organises the awards, is ensuring his legacy takes centre stage at their upcoming event.
Away from the boardroom, the networking events, and the mentoring sessions, Brian was a devoted family man.
As preparations for the October ceremony gather pace, the planned tribute will provide a fitting salute to a man who dedicated his life to helping the town’s businesses thrive.
Author: Hartlepool Life
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