The finalists have been revealed for this year's EDP Business Awards, which aim to recognise the best and brightest companies and businesspeople from across Norfolk.
Thankfully 2023 has been slightly quieter than the last few years, and many business have capitalised on this to steady their ships.
The region is still recovering from Covid. It is still feeling the sting of a cost-of-living crisis. And the shadow of a certain prime minister’s 44 days in power remains.
But there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is a growing feeling that if we can make it through all that, we can make it through anything.
Over the past few years and through all the challenges, our business community remained positive and focused on growing – we became bigger, stronger and more resilient.
The Eastern Daily Press has had a superb year amid the same lashing waves and howling gales that have buffeted us all. In February we launched EDP+, an industry-leading online subscription service which delivers an unparalleled user experience.
The EDP is now the biggest selling regional newspaper in England and across all our channels - online, the app and print - we’ve never in all our history had a bigger readership.
But the key to the EDP’s success isn’t fancy technology or a strong legacy print product. It’s people. People are the key to all successful ventures and the East’s businesses are blessed with the very best.
That shines through today as we announce the finalists of this year’s EDP Business Awards. Congratulations to all of them for making it to this stage.
The theme of this year’s ceremony at the Norfolk Showground on Thursday, November 23 is ‘people’ - so what better way to celebrate yours than buying a ticket and coming along. The book your tickets, please visit the website.
I’d like to thank this year’s headline sponsor Barclays and all of our category sponsors, as well as our drinks reception sponsor Jarrolds, our drinks partner Makro/Booker, our beer partner All Day Brewing and our event supporter John Doe of Diss. Without their support these awards simply couldn’t happen.
This year we are proud to be supporting Walking with the Wounded – a charity that helps injured servicemen and women back into the workplace.
As well as the category finalists listed below, we also have two non-entry categories - The Outstanding Achievement Award and the Norfolk Business of the Year award. Both of these categories, sponsored by Barclays, are judged by a select group of business leaders from across the region.
The Outstanding Achievement winner will be announced in the EDP on November 8 and this year's Business of the Year will be named at the awards ceremony at Norfolk Showground on November 23.
To find out more about the EDP Business Awards 2023 and book your tickets for the awards ceremony, visit edpbusinessawards.co.uk
To meet all of this year's finalists, please click here.
Jarrolds marks 200 years
Jarrolds, this year’s drinks reception sponsor at the EDP Business Awards, celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Tom Burdett, director of finance and strategic operations, tells us more about the business.
“Jarrolds may be best known for its wonderful stores, but our operations extend to property, facilities management, training and logistics services,” he said. “As a group, we have never stopped evolving. We are ambitious in our vision and proactive in seeking new opportunities to develop. That’s why we call ourselves a ‘200-year-old startup.’
“For us it’s not just the products that count, but the stories behind the brands and of the people who create the products. It is also about offering excellent customer service, which is why we have experts across all our departments who can help you find the items to fall in love with.
“This year Jarrolds celebrates having a presence in Norwich for 200 years and we’re passionate about our place in the business community. One of our recent successes has been Storefolk, working with local businesses to showcase the best of Norfolk and as we move into our third century we’re keen to build upon this.”
The finalists
Small Business of the Year
Azure Outdoor Living
Chadwicks
LY Copywriting
Tom and Toto
Medium Business of the Year
Sponsored by Howden
GeoAcoustics
JPSE
Minors & Brady
Opergy Group
Large Business of the Year
Sponsored by FRP Advisory
Delta Fire
Mervyn Lambert Plant
Plan B Management Solutions
Klyne Aviation
Customer Excellence Award
Sponsored by Greater Anglia
Jarrold Training
MAD-HR
River Green Restaurant
Step Teachers
Director of the Year
Sponsored by Eastern Daily Press
Jenna Owen - Ambition Public Relations
Jon Barnard - Greyfriars Project Management
Lauren Yaxley - LY Copywriting
Phin Robinson - Pure Physiotherapy
Employer of the Year
Sponsored by LocaliQ
Breakwater IT
Holkham Estate
Mobilityways
Richardsons Leisure
Environmental and Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Norse Group
CeraPhi Energy
Delta Fire
Holkham Estate
SaxonAir
Growth Business of the Year
Sponsored by Ashtons Legal
Azure Outdoor Living
Comm-Tech Voice and Data
Pure Physiotherapy
Sekura Mobile Intelligence
Positive Impact in the Community
Sponsored by Vattenfall
Big C
East Anglian Air Ambulance
Home Instead Norwich
NR Health and Fitness
Rising Star of the Year
Sponsored by Birketts
Ambition Public Relations
Sekura Mobile Intelligence
SkiYodl
The Goat Shed
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