EAST Anglian solicitors firm Fosters won the Marketing & Business Development category of the Law Society Excellence Awards.

The firm saw off competition from top London practices and national chains to take top spot.

“From comments made by the judges this award recognises the efforts of every one of our 120 members of staff, who work in our eight offices in Norfolk and Suffolk,” said chief executive Chris Brown.

“It is pleasing we beat the large firms who even in these difficult financial times can still spend significant sums on marketing.

“Yet it was the whole of our ‘Business Development Strategy’ which won the award, not just one single part.”

The judges were particularly impressed by how Fosters asked every single employee to fill in a business development questionnaire and on the basis of the answers formulated marketing plans not only for each department but also for every single member of staff.

They commented: “What Fosters has realised is that when everyone buys into an idea, and each person’s particular strengths are respected and utilised to promote the greater good, marketing a firm (or a family law team) becomes not only a communal exercise with huge potential to reach, but also much more fun.

“It’s effectively community engagement. It’s important to remember that each and every team member has a role to play in the success of your firm.”

Andrea Spooner, Fosters’ practice director, added: “The award gives all of us a huge sense of pride in the short term, but looking forward we must remember it is also an endorsement of the plans and strategies we have put in place to develop the business for the benefits of our clients and staff.

“By ensuring we have fully committed and engaged staff means we will be able to offer the best services to our clients which is, and will continue to be, our top priority.”

Fosters, which recently celebrated its 250th anniversary, has offices in Bungay, Bury St Edmunds, Gorleston, Ipswich, Lowestoft, Norwich, Thetford and Wymondham.

Earlier this year Fosters adopted a new management structure which saw the appointment of an executive committee to take over the day to day running of the practice.