AN Essex-based supplier of composite materials to the construction, transport and leisure industries has claimed top honours in a regional competition recognising the benefits of business coaching.

Dura Composites, based in Telford Road, Clacton-on-Sea, was named Business of the Year at the East Anglia ActionCoach Business Awards, held at the Radisson Blu hotel at Stansted Airport.

Stuart Burns, a director of the family-run firm which specialises in low-weight products for flooring and cladding, was presented with the trophy by Ian Christelow of ActionCOACH East Anglia.

Dura also collected the Financial Award, sponsored by Scrutton Bland, as well as receiving nominations in two other categories.

ActionCoach, founded by Australian-born business turnaround specialist Brad Sugars, provides coaching to more than 15,000 businesses a week in a total of 39 countries, with its national network of coaches across the UK including 14 who are based in East Anglia.

The Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by Kyrene Marketing Communications, was won by Paul Westcott of the Animal Health Company, based in Halstead, which supplies a range of disease control and grooming products for dogs, cats and horses, and the Team Award, sponsored by Oval Insurance Broking, was claimed by water and sewage filtration specialist Bolfilter UK, based at Tolleshunt D’Arcy, near Maldon.

Ipswich-based audio visual production company AV Unit collected the Marketing Award, sponsored by Archant Anglia, while the Innovation Award, sponsored by NatWest, went to Darran and Caroline Lingley of the Five Bells public house at Colne Engaine, near Colchester.

Runners-up at the awards, which were hosted by BBC Look East sports presenter Shaun Peel, included Everlac GB from Haverhill, Saracen UK from Rickinghall, near Diss, and Green Duck from Bury St Edmunds

And completing the line-up of winners was East Anglian Daily Times business editor Duncan Brodie, who was named Business Writer of the Year.

The full line-up of finalists at the awards was:

Enterprise Award – Winner: Animal Health Company; Runners-up: Bolfilter UK and Dura Composites.

Marketing Award – Winner: AV Unit; Runners-up: Everlac GB and the Five Bells.

Innovation Award – Winner: The Five Bells; Runners-up: Dura Composites; Saracen UK.

Team Award – Winner: Bolfilter UK; Runners-up: Green Duck and Saracen UK.

Financial Award – Winner: Dura Composites; Runners-up: Everlac GB and Green Duck.

Business Writer of the Year – Winner: Duncan Brodie, East Anglian Daily Times.

Business of the Year – Winner: Dura Composites.