THE borough’s most successful business men and women were honoured at the annual Thurrock Business Awards.

The glitzy ceremony, hosted by the Thurrock Gazette and sponsored by 20 local firms on Friday evening at the Civic Hall, saw awards handed out to the finest businesses and business people in the borough.

Local dignitaries were among almost 400 people who gathered to celebrate the borough’s business stars.

Denise Rossiter, chief executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce – the main sponsor – and co-chairman of the awards’ judging panel, said: “There is no doubt Thurrock is continuing on the way up. Although some people doubted whether it would ever happen, DP World’s London Gateway Terminal is now open for business and receiving ships from across the globe.

“The opportunities for new employment and new businesses the port and associated logistics industries offer are considerable, but we must not forget about all the other high-performing businesses here tonight, all of whom make Thurrock a bright and interesting place to do business in and somewhere to invest.”

Charles Meaby, director at DP World – the event’s other main sponsor – and co-chairman of the judges, said: “All of our entrants should be very proud of what they have achieved.

“Tonight we can only recognise a small number of them, but everyone had an interesting story to tell, so all of us can be proud to be celebrating business success in Essex.”

For a six page special with lots of pictures from the awards on Friday night, see this week's Gazette.

 

Winners

New Company Sponsored by Play 2 Learn Day Nursery

The Face Painting Shop

Swim Mania Swim School 

Fresh Property Excellent Customer Service sponsored by c2c Rail

Kennedy Rath Opticians

Palmers Solicitors

Ensign Bus Company

Community sponsored by Coryton Energy Co Ltd

H W Wilson Ltd

Aveley Village Community Forum

Staff Training & Development sponsored by Palmer’s College

Kennedy Rath Opticians

Global Equipment Logistics

Thurrock Careers SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT Sponsored by Travel Thurrock

H W Wilson Ltd

South Essex College

Logistics & Distribution sponsored by Sigma Studies

ALM Training

Global Equipment Logistics

Small Business of the Year Sponsored by Orsett Hall Hotel

Advanced Service Centre

S & S Printing

SDH Solutions Ltd

Highly Commended Sponsored by Canute Group

Sainsburys – Community

Apprentice of the Year Sponsored by Thurrock Council

Cherie Donaldson

Stylistics

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Sponsored by L G Networks

Nathalie Farmer

The Face Painting Shop

Business Woman of the Year sponsored by ALM Training Services

Andrea Ince

Ince PR

Business Man of the Year sponsored by Systmatic International

Damian Walters

iKBBI Ltd