Firms share top honours as Businesses of the Year 2009

A GLITTERING night of celebration and success stories marked the climax of the 2009 Essex Business Excellence awards.

Two companies won not only four award categories between them but also jointly the Essex Business of the Year award, separated only in the judges' eyes as being large and small companies.

Following Friday's presentation of prizes at Braxted Park, Great Braxted, to richly deserving category winners, the judges announced International Financial Data Services as winner of the large company award and the Feathers Hair Salon Group as the small company award winner.

As winners and finalists celebrated their achievements, leading members of companies took time out to reflect on what winning the prestigious awards meant to them.

Lois McLean, human resources director of International Financial Data Services, said: "As a major employer in Essex with 1,500 staff based in Basildon and Chelmsford, we are delighted to win awards for Best Training Programme and Employer of the Year and finally the large company award as Essex Business of the Year.

"I believe this is a tremendous recognition of the qualities of our employees. Our people are our asset."

A trophy-laden Feathers Salon Group also lifted the small company awards for Best Training Programme and Employer of the Year award.

A very happy Jeff Letter, managing director of Feathers Salon Group, commented: "I am delighted with our awards.

"We planned to have an exceptional year and all the effort we put in is coming to fruition.

"I would like to say a big thank you to our customers for believing in what we do.

"Always seeking to improve the way we do things for our team and clients is the basis of our business."

An emotional Ozay Mustafa, a winner as Outstanding Business Person, commented: "To really understand what this means to me I would have to write a book.

"Without the fantastic support of my staff I would not be here tonight.

"An especially big thank you to my sister-in-law Vanessa, without whose help I would never have reached the finals."

Winner of the Corporate Responsibility category was Bunting & Sons of Little Yorkesley.

Partner of this family-run firm, Kate Bunting, said: "I am absolutely thrilled. All of our team put in a lot of hard work along with our volunteers. It is really lovely to be recognised for our work."

Conservation charity Essex Wildlife Trust was highly commended in the Corporate Responsibility category.

The Trust's corporate manager Michele Farrant said: "I really believe this award is recognition of the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers to protect wildlife for the future and the people of Essex today.

"It is a brilliant achievement in the year of our 50th anniversary."

Abbey Antiques and Furnishings repeated their previous success in the business awards with victory in the Customer Care and Service category.

Abbey is a ninth-generation family business that has been established for an incredible 400 years.

Director Lisa Symons said: "This is my most favourite category to enter. We are passionate about customer care.

"Without our customers and staff we would not be in business.

"This award is recognition of amazing teamwork, enthusiasm and attention to detail."

A delighted winner of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year title was Steve Frost of Naio Environmental Ltd.

Steve said: "I really want this award to be a reflection of our achievements as a company.

"I am really happy with the group of people I have around me and feel so proud of their achievements.

"We are looking forward to a very exciting year.

"We have outline contracts that will double our turnover and are looking forward to a prosperous year."

BUSINESS AWARDS 2009 - THE WINNERS

Essex Business of the Year sponsored and judged by Bird Luckin and Wollastons

Large category: International Financial Data Services

Small/medium category: Feathers Salon Group Ltd

Best Training Programme sponsored and judged by Pursuit Recruitment

Large category: International Financial Data Services

Small/medium category: Feathers Salon Group Ltd

Customer Care and Service sponsored and judged by Bird Luckin

Large category: West and Coe

Small/medium category: Abbey Antiques and Furnishings Ltd

Best Growing Business sponsored and judged by NatWest

ABA Training Ltd

Employer of the Year sponsored and judged by Investors in People

Large category: International Financial Data Services

Small/medium category: Feathers Salon Group Ltd

Corporate Responsibility sponsored and judged by Essex & Suffolk Water

Charities category: Havens Hospice

Business category: Bunting and Sons

Highly commended: Essex Wildlife Trust

Excellence in Marketing Sponsored and judged by Vantis Business Recovery Services

Large category: Southend United FC

Small/medium category: Anglia Courier Express

Innovation Sponsored and judged by Anglia Ruskin University

Large category: Shergroup

Small/medium category: Servowatch Systems

Outstanding Business Person Sponsored and judged by Cooper Lomaz

Winner: Ozay Mustafa, Gracelands CMS

Highly commended: Kevin Crouch, FRAB Ltd (Lapsafe Products)

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Sponsored and judged by Colchester

Institute

Winner: Steve Frost, Naio Environmental Ltd