The line-up of finalists has been announced for the 2009 Anglian Business Awards, organised by the EADT and sponsored by Choose Suffolk, which take place at Trinity Park, Ipswich, on Thursday.
DESPTE the challenging economic climate, this year's Anglian Business Awards attracted a total of more than 100 entries, giving judges across the 15 categories a difficult task.
But the waiting is nearly over, with the winners due to be announced at a black tie gala ceremony at Trinity Park, Ipswich, on Thursday this week.
The awards are being held by the East Anglian Daily Times for the 12th time, and are being supported this year by Choose Suffolk as main sponsor.
Thursday's ceremony will be hosted by entertainer Graham Jolley and TV weather presenter Becky Mantin, with the climax of the evening being the presentation of the Business of the Year award, also sponsored by Choose Suffolk.
The overall winner will be chosen from among the winners of the 15 award categories, finalists in which are detailed below.
EADT business editor Duncan Brodie said: “We have been very impressed with the quality of this year's entries and thank everyone who took the time to get involved and help us celebrate why it is still good to be in business here in East Anglia and pay tribute to the outstanding businesses we have in the region.
“We are also grateful to all our sponsors and judges who have worked with the East Anglian Daily Times to make the Anglian Business Awards such an important date in the local business calendar. Our aim has always been to seek out the best and celebrate their achievements in the hope that it will inspire others to create businesses and contribute to the region's broad economy and continued prosperity.”
The full line-up of finalists is:
Start-up Business of the Year
sponsored by Ipswich & Suffolk Small Business Association and the Federation for Small Businesses
@work recruitment, Ipswich
Kingsland Linassi, Felixstowe
Lily Pins, Bishops Stortford
Small Business of the Year
sponsored by NatWest
Bruizer, Bentwaters Park, near Woodbridge
Icon Consultants Ltd, Ipswich
The Johns Practice, Newmarket
Medium to Large Business of the Year
sponsored by Prettys
Christies Care, Saxmundham
Gipping Homes, Baylham, near Ipswich
Ipswich Building Society, Ipswich
Innovation and Technology
sponsored by University Campus Suffolk
CallScripter, Ipswich
Eventricity, Ipswich
Omega Ingredients, Great Blakenham, near Ipswich
Outstanding Customer Service
sponsored by BusinessEast
Mackman Ltd, Sudbury
React Computer Partnership, Woodbridge
The Hearing Care Centre, Ipswich
Young Business Person of the Year
sponsored by Picasso HR
Simon Doidge of Passion Automotive, Great Yarmouth
Simon Stockdale of Pandala Communications, Stowmarket
Michelle Wootton of Basepoint Business Centre, Ipswich
Training and Development
sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council
Christies Care, Saxmundham
The Angel Hotel, Bury St Edmunds
The Hearing Care Centre, Ipswich
International Trade
sponsored by the Haven Gateway Partnership
Essex Chambers of Commerce, Colchester
Eventricity, Ipswich
Morrison Freight, Great Blakenham, near Ipswich
Rural Business
sponsored by the Suffolk Agricultural Association
Bunting and Sons, Little Horkesley, near Colchester
Otley College, Otley, near Ipswich
Ultimate Care, Stutton, near Ipswich
Marketing
sponsored by Trebuchet
Basepoint Business Centre, Ipswich
Eventricity, Ipswich
The Johns Practice, Newmarket
Not-for-Profit Business of the Year
sponsored by Leo-Print
East Anglian Air Ambulance, Norwich
East Anglia's Children's Hospices, Ipswich
Red Rose Chain, Ipswich
Entrepreneur of the Year
sponsored by Picasso HR
Joanne Searle of East Suffolk Mind, Hintlesham, near Ipswich
Craig Sennett of Icon Consultants Ltd, Ipswich
Jenny Twigg of Lily Pins, Bishops Stortford
Environment
sponsored by EDF Energy Networks
Bunting & Sons of Little Horkesley, near Colchester
Green Light Trust, Lawshall, near Bury St Edmunds
The Crown Hotel, Southwold
Community Involvement
sponsored by Adnams plc
CPW Computing, Needham Market
Otley College, Otley, near Ipswich
Willis, Ipswich
Year of Skills
sponsored by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
Feathers4Hair, Colchester
Milsom Hotels, Dedham, near Colchester
The Hearing Care Centre, Ipswich
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