Businesses from across Suffolk are being encouraged to enter the EADT Business Awards 2024, and the Growth Business of the Year award, sponsored by Ashtons Legal, aims to recognise businesses that have achieved impressive growth over the past few years.

“The impact of winning Growth Business of the Year is huge,” said Craig Fiddaman, senior associate at Ashtons Legal and the judge for this category. “It is a badge of honour and recognition for their hard work.”

This is Ashtons Legal’s eighth year as a sponsor for the EADT Business Awards, and Craig said it’s a great opportunity for the legal firm to get to know the county’s up and coming businesses.

“We really enjoy being involved in the EADT Business Awards,” he said. “It is an opportunity to see and appreciate just how great Suffolk is for businesses. Through our category sponsorship we get to see some of these businesses up close and meet new and interesting people.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Craig Fiddaman, senior associate at Ashtons LegalCraig Fiddaman, senior associate at Ashtons Legal (Image: Warren Page - PagePix)

This year, Mr Fiddaman said he will be looking for “a business that is thinking outside the box, is innovative and prepared to take calculated risks”.

He went on to explain why strong managerial leadership is key to this. “All businesses need a leader, but it is key that that person leads, rather than manages. We want to see entries showing that staff are encouraged to contribute to the business’ success – a real team effort.”

Entrants should also demonstrate an understanding of and focus on sustainability – an essential aspect of business growth in the current times.

“Sustainability as a focus is crucial for businesses to remain competitive, build resilience and secure their long-term success,” said Mr Fiddaman. “Businesses cannot succeed without a defined plan so that everyone, from the CEO to reception, is singing from the same song sheet.”

To enter the EADT Business Awards 2024, please visit eadtbusinessawards.co.uk

To find out more about all categories, please click here.

Criteria

Entries in the Growth Business of the Year category must have achieved a minimum of 20% year-on-year financial growth (turnover) for the last three years.

In addition to this, the judges will also be looking for growth in market share as well as a business that can provide evidence of a growth in its customer and/or employee numbers. 

Meet the sponsor

Ashtons Legal is delighted to sponsor the EADT Business Awards for the eighth consecutive year and is once again sponsoring the Growth Business of the Year category. 

Ashtons’ vision is to be ‘an exceptional professional service provider putting its clients at the centre of everything it does’. 

Whether a commercial or an individual client, whatever the legal needs, Ashtons’ focus is on always delivering first class legal advice with exceptional service.  

With over 420 staff across five offices in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Norwich and Leeds, the firm is ideally placed to assist clients throughout East Anglia. 

However, Ashtons also helps people in many other parts of the country and internationally.