The winners for the Anglian Business Awards 2008 were announced at a glittering ceremony at Trinity Park Conference Centre, near Ipswich on November 20, 2008.
These and other pictures from the awards are available to buy from our photosales department.
Start-Up Business
sponsored by Gotelee & Goldsmith
Winner: Mad Rabbit Recruitment
Finalists: Smith & Coburn/Starburst Dental Care
The Judges said “Mad Rabbit’s vibrant brand is instantly recognisable in a highly competitive sector. The judges were impressed by its fresh approach, market awareness and genuine commitment to quality of service as well as its support of local charities”.
Innovation & Technology
sponsored by UCS
Winner: io Global
Finalists: Azura Group/Foot Function Centre
The Judges said “University Campus Suffolk is pleased to acknowledge the product innovation and commendable culture of innovation demonstrated by io Global. Specifically the judges acknowledge the technical creativity and global significance of the company’s locality-specific, personalised broadband portal”.
Outstanding Customer Service
sponsored by National Express
Winner: Ardex
Finalists: Feathers Hair Salons/React Computer Partnership
The Judges said “The team at Ardex clearly demonstrated a successful customer-focused approach to the way they run their business, which improved business performance and increased customer satisfaction”.
Small Business of the Year
sponsored by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
Winner: Mackman Group
Finalists: Browser Media/Orwell Insurance Services
The judges were impressed with Mackman Group’s application, who outlined a strong vision for the future with a growing customer base. They have a business that shows increasing turnover and excellent profitability year on year”.
International Trade
sponsored by Haven Gateway Partnership
Winner: Fix-A-Form International
Finalists: Muntons/Toolbox Marketing
The Judges said “This year, yet again, there has been an extremely high standard of entry into this category. The Haven Gateway Partnership is pleased to sponsor t his award and congratulate all three finalists. The final decision was considered related to innovation, commitment to international markets and future plans.
Young Business Person of the Year
sponsored by Picasso HR
Winner: Joe Friedlein, Browser Media
Finalists: Jody Smith, Feathers Hair Salons/Deborah Watson, Lexia Media
Picasso Hr felt that Joe has shown exceptional extrepreneurship, drive and intelligence to get his business to where it is today. The future looks very promising for him and his business. We are delighted to present Joe with this award.
Rural Business
sponsored by Suffolk Agricultural Association
Winner: Otley College
Finalists: Valley Farm Riding & Driving Centre/Greenstead Farm Shop
The judges said “I have given this award to Otley College as through their educational establishment, they have helped individuals to gain the skills to develop many successful rural businesses in Suffolk”.
Training & Development
sponsored by Learning & Skills Council
Winner: Willis
Finalists: Blue Donkey/Monthind Clean
The judges said “Willis has recognised that people are its most crucial asset. The development of a technical training centre and the Willis academy are designed to support associates from day 1 of employment through stages of career progression. Willis is also committed to supporting education-business links within the local community”.
Environment Award
sponsored by EDF Energy Networks
Winner: CPW Computing
Finalists: Greenbottle/The Port of Felixstowe
The judges said “CPW Computing quickly emerged as a frontrunner due to the wealth of supporting material, which demonstrated how actions to mitigate their impact on the environment run throughout many strands of the business. In a competitive industry this company goes a step beyond the legal requirements”.
Entrepreneur of the Year
sponsored by Ipswich Audi
Winner: Shaun Bailey, Jacob Bailey
Finalists: Karen Finch, The Hearing Care Centre/Sureya Landini, Blue Donkey
The judges said “Shaun has shown great vision in expanding into new sectors of business and beyond Ipswich and the surrounding area. These decisions have proved successful and the risk taken shows real entrepreneurial flair”.
Not For Profit
sponsored by Call Connection
Winner: Eastern Angles Theatre Company
Finalists: Museum of East Anglian Life/Suffolk Breakthrough
The judges were very pleased with the very high standard of the applications for the first year of this new award. The winner showed their strong sense of financial planning in a bureaucratic world where a government organisation let them down. By tenacity and determination the winner reversed authority bureaucracy to get the funds they needed”.
Medium-Large Business
sponsored by Alliance Corporate Risk Management
Winner: Barnes Construction
Finalists: Crown Mortgage Management/Muntons
The judges said “bearing in mind their local presence, “hands-on” approach, employee relationship policy, position in the community, environmental approach and Health & Safety outlook – we have given Barnes Construction our vote”.
Community Involvement
sponsored by Adnams
Winner: Anglia IT Recruitment
Finalists: CPW Computing/Howard Nurseries
The judges said “Anglia IT Recruitment demonstrated an ethos of community involvement throughout its team. There is a strong passion for what they are doing, and they seem to have a lot of fun doing it”.
Marketing
sponsored by Choose Suffolk
Winner: Red Rose Chain
Finalists: Ardex/Jacob Bailey
The judges said “We were stunned by the enthusiasm from this team. They were able to demonstrate creativity in techniques used for this event and the product. The result of their marketing has meant that results have outstripped forecasts”.
Business of the Year
sponsored by Baker Tilly
Winner: Barnes Construction
