IT was a night of glitz, glamour and celebration as the best and brightest in business across Essex were recognised for their passion, hard work and dedication.

Business representatives joined together at the plush Radisson Blu hotel, Stansted, for the event.

The compere on the evening was the marvellous magician Michael J Fitch.

The beneficiary for the evening was Havens Hospices – and the event raised more than £13,000.

The cash was raised from a heads and tails game, a raffle with prizes donated by finalist and then money in a drop box and a substantial £10,000 donation from one business, who prefered not to be named.

Gary Pearson, an editor at Newsquest Essex, said: “It was a wonderful evening and it was such a pleasure to be able to attend and join those celebrating all that's good about business in Essex. We have so much to offer in this county. Huge congratulations to the winners, and finalists, and well done to all involved, a great time was had by all.”

This year's winners were:

New Company of the Year

Sponsor – Systematics International Ltd

Winner – Primera Wealth Management

Winner – Hay Pigs

Highly Commended – Highview Roofing

Small Company of the Year

Sponsor – Highview Roofing

Winner – Sarah’s Creative Kitchen

Growing Business of the Year

Sponsor – First Data

Winner – Fabricake

Excellent Customer Focus Award

Sponsor – Evolution Foundation College

Winner – CLS Money

Website Award

Sponsor – Newsquest

Winner – Chandler Material Supplies Ltd

Social Media Award

Sponsor – Newsquest

Winner – Little Lovelies by Jo-Anna

Excellence in Marketing

Sponsor – Essex & Suffolk Water

Winner – Fabricake

Community Award – Charity Sector

Sponsor – Havens Hospices

Winner – SE Advocacy for Older People

Community Award – Private Sector

Sponsor – Havens hospices

Winner – Nelson Chambers

Leisure & Tourism Award

Sponsor – Radisson Blu, Stansted

Winner – The Sevens Hotel

Environmental Award

Sponsor – Radisson Blu, Stansted

Winner – Barking, Havering & Redbridge Hospital – NHS Trust

Employer of the Year

Sponsor – Adult Community Learning (ACL)

Winner – Advanced Chiropractic Clinics

Business 2 Business Award

Sponsor – Rossi Ice Cream

Winner – Able Canopies

Apprentice of the Year

Sponsor – Chelmsford College

Winner – Max Evans – AJ Chambers

Highly Commended – Sophie Duggan – Chelmer Housing Partnership

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Sponsor – CLS Money

Winner – Sarah Kauter – VerriBerri

Business Woman of the Year

Sponsor – Willmott Dixon

Winner – Nicole Antoniou – The Bootcamp Squad / Butterfly Programme

Business Man of the Year

Sponsor – Cjam Group

Winner – Sam Mitchell – HouseSimple

The photographer was Jim Wilson