It was a night to remember as eleven businesses were crowned winners at the Bury Free Press Business Awards.
More than 250 people attended the ceremony at the Apex venue in Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, last Friday.
Now in its 11th year, the gala awards evening has become one of the region’s most respected and best attended gatherings in the business event calendar.
The awards night featured entertainment from compere Matt Biggin, a magician who bedazzled guests at their tables between courses, and a singing chef and kitchen manager, otherwise known as entertainers Andy Searle and Rory Campbell, whose clients in the past have included Prince William and Prince Harry.
Speeches included event host: Olympian and businesswoman, Goldie Sayers, Bury St Edmunds MP, Jo Churchill, and leader of West Suffolk Council, Cllr John Griffiths.
The headline sponsor was leading property and land promotion company, Jaynic. Other sponsors this year were Ashtons Legal, Menta, Our Bury St Edmunds, W S Training, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce for West Suffolk, Treatt PLC, West Suffolk Council, Cambridge Building Society, and West Suffolk College.
The 2022 Bury Free Press West Suffolk Business Award winners:
West Suffolk Innovation Award
(sponsored by Treatt PLC)
Winner: Grid 2 – Net Zero & West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds
Grid 2 ; Net Zero & West Suffolk College
Shortlisted:
Guardtech Group
Unisurge International LTD
Employee of the Year
(sponsored by West Suffolk College)
Winner: Claire Sadler – Your Telemarketing Ltd, Bury St Edmunds
Shortlisted:
Jonathan Crisp – Otway Capital
Suzanne Banks – @INC
Customer Service Award
(sponsored by Our Bury St Edmunds – Business Improvement District)
Winner: The Angel Hotel, Bury St Edmunds
Highly Commended:Shuffle Board Game Café, Bury St Edmunds
Shortlisted:
The Evidence Room
Procopio’s Pantry
Best New Start-Up
(sponsored by Menta)
Winner: Shuffle Board Game Café, Bury St Edmunds
Highly Commended: West Suffolk Hive CIC, Bury St Edmunds
Shortlisted:
Unmatched
Mynd
Business Leader of the Year
(sponsored by Ashtons Legal)
Winner: Roland Hollings – A&R Haulage (UK), Risby
Highly Commended: Laura Morrison – Your Telemarketing Ltd, Bury St Edmunds
Shortlisted:
Jason Webb – AC Webb & Electrical Contractors
Grace Grant – Peak Commercial Cleaning
Contribution to the Community
(sponsored by The Cambridge Building Society)
Winner: West Suffolk Hive CIC, Bury St Edmunds
Highly Commended: The Cock Horse Inn, Lavenham
Shortlisted:
The Barbers Arms Barbershop & Bar
Lovewell Blake
Apprentice / Trainee of the Year
(sponsored by WS Training)
Winner: Louise Bolden – Orwell Housing, Suffolk
Highly Commended: Shannon Quinn – Otway Capital, Fornham All Saints
Shortlisted:
Kallum Taylor-Whiffen
Skye Burrow
Green Award
(sponsored by Iliffe Media Ltd)
Winner: Roadfill Limited, Haverhill
Highly Commended: Still Good Food, Bury St Edmunds
Shortlisted:
Still Good Food
Michelle Freeman of Crafty Foxes
Investing in West Suffolk Award
(sponsored by West Suffolk Council)
Winner: Cameron Ventures Group, Mildenhall
Shortlisted:
Three Eggs Training Ltd
Stellar Catering Ltd
Business of the Year
(sponsored by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce West Suffolk)
Winner: Cameron Ventures Group, Mildenhall
Highly Commended: Portable Space Ltd, Suffolk
Shortlisted:
Toolbox Marketing
Ocala Healthcare
The Lifetime Achievement Award
(sponsored by Jaynic)
Winner: Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
Highly Commended: Unisurge International Ltd, Newmarket
Shortlisted:
Brian Keane – Cameron Ventures Group
Catherine Winn – Clear to Sea