PICTURES: Glittering awards night celebrates the best of business

The very best of West Suffolk business turned out in force at the Bury Free Press Business Awards last night.

The glitzy awards ceremony at the Apex in Bury, hosted by Falklands war hero Simon Weston, recognised the huge and diverse entrepreneurial talent the area has to offer.

The night, which saw awards handed out in 10 categories, was the culmination of the fifth Bury St Edmunds Business festival.

Highlights of the evening included Newmarket Racecourse lifting the prestigious Business of the Year Award and Michelle Buxton, of Toolbox Group, being recognised as Business Person of the Year.

Vanguard Communications won the Best New Start-up Award, Croasdale Chemists won the Independent Retailer Award and Sealey Group were handed the West Suffolk Award for International Trade.

Among the other winners were Precision Marketing Group, which won the Green/Environmental Award and Jacobs Allen, which won the Contribution to the Community Award.

Lotty Richardson, of IFF (GB) Ltd, was named Apprentice/Trainee of the Year, while James Sawyer, of Whatley Lane Estate Agents, was named Employee of the Year.

Oliver Coote, of L Fulcher Funeral Directors, won the Customer Service Award.

Mark Stanford, the award night’s organiser, said: “The event went really well and Simon Weston was a superb host.

“We had the biggest crowd we’ve every had - it really shows the variety and strength of business in the area.

“The awards ended the Bury St Edmunds Business Festival with a bang - and by all accounts it has been a tremendous success.”

For a full round-up and more pictures see Friday’s Bury Free Press.

Bury Free Press Business Award winners:

Apprentice / Trainee of the Year, sponsored by: WS Training - Lotty Richardson: IFF (GB) Ltd

Contribution to the Community, sponsored by The Portcullis Group - Jacobs Allen

Employee of the Year, sponsored by West Suffolk College / Develop Anglia - James Sawyer of Whatley Lane Estate Agents

Customer Service Award, sponsored by Bury Free Press - Oliver Coote: L. Fulcher Funeral Directors

Independent Retailer, sponsored by The Suffolk Agricultural Association - Croasdales Chemist

Best New Start-Up, sponsored by MENTA - Vanguard Communications

Green / Environmental Award - sponsored by Easton-Otley College - Precision Marketing Group

West Suffolk Award for International Trade, sponsored by Forest Heath / St Edmundsbury Borough Councils - Sealey Group

Business Person of the Year, sponsored by Ensors Chartered Accountants - Michelle Buxton of Toolbox Group

Business of the Year, sponsored by Bury St Edmunds Chamber of Commerce - Newmarket Racecourse