Accolades handed out at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce business awards event

Businesses gathered to celebrate the best of the best businesses within Suffolk at the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce East Suffolk Business Awards.

The awards offer local businesses, of all sizes and from all sectors, the chance to showcase their own successes, talent and growth, whilst celebrating the wider achievements of the whole of the business community.

The awards ceremony took place on November 6, at the Ivy House Country Hotel, in Lowestoft, where 14 prestigious awards were presented – from Apprentice/Trainee of the Year to Growing Business of the Year.

Headline sponsors Access Community Trust honoured two local individuals awarding them with Recognition of Lifetime Achievement Awards; both Gary Harrold, of Customs Support Group, Felixstowe, and Martin Murkett, of Tick Solutions, Lowestoft, were both celebrated and thanked for their lifetime of unrelenting commitment, hard work, talent and contributions to East Suffolk and our local business community.

Over 170 local business representatives and special guests enjoyed a glass of welcome fizz and a three-course meal, followed by the awards ceremony, compered and hosted by Gen X Radio Suffolk’s, Neil Whiteside.

Mat Waters, of Lovewell Blake and chair of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce East Suffolk Forum, said on the night: “We can honestly say, the response to this year’s East Suffolk Business Awards has been absolutely fantastic with many excellent entries across all the categories, and it is wonderful to be able to come together and celebrate all these great businesses here in East Suffolk tonight.

“And what a fantastic awards ceremony it was – a well-deserved evening of inspiration, achievement, recognition and a true celebration of all that makes the business community here in East Suffolk so special.

“Our awards allow us to come together to celebrate and recognise the fantastic businesses we have here in East Suffolk and provide the perfect opportunity for our sponsors and our guests to further build up their local connections and partnerships.

“It is truly magnificent to see our business awards continue to grow year on year, with so many businesses showcasing their skills, talent and success. We thank all the businesses that took the time to enter and congratulations to all our finalists and winners and we look forward to a prosperous 2026.”

And John Dugmore, the chief executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, added: “The Suffolk Chamber East Suffolk Business Awards truly showcase the incredible talent, passion, and dedication within our local business community. It was a privilege to celebrate and recognise so many outstanding businesses across the region.

“We were proud to present the Suffolk Chamber President’s Award to Aura Brand Solutions, of Lowestoft, our winner of winners. They were truly deserving of this accolade, and it was our pleasure to recognise and thank them for their all-round contributions to our local East Suffolk business community.

“For 141 years, the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has been proud to be the voice of business, connecting, supporting, and representing enterprises of every size and sector across our county.

“Through more than 100 annual events, skills programmes, and business initiatives, we help local businesses celebrate innovation, resilience, and achievement. Working closely with local leaders, Suffolk Chamber ensures that its members have access to the support, opportunities, and influence they need to thrive.

“As we look to the future, we remain committed to evolving with our members and meeting the ever-changing demands of doing business in today’s economy.”

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce East Suffolk Award Winners and Highly Commended Finalists 2025 are: