Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards winners 2020

SNAP
Excellence in Digital Creative and ICT

Sponsored by InTouch Systems

With its cashless payment system, SNAP is revolutionising the haulage sector and modernising industry procedures right across the UK and Europe using its in-house designed, technology. 

Judges were impressed with:

• the highly advanced end to end use of technology
• the in-house design of the system components and software package
• the ambitious plans for the growth of its network and services.

“In our ongoing mission to digitalise the haulage industry, technology and ICT play a huge role in our business. So, we are thrilled to have been awarded the Excellence in Digital and ICT Award by the Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards 2020.” 
Mark Garner, Managing Director – SNAP

Finalists: AAH Software, SQN Clinical

myDNAhealth
Excellence in Life Sciences

Sponsored by Norwich Research Park

Founded in 2014, myDNAhealth provides in-depth testing results designed to give vital information which allows for personally tailored, positive lifestyle changes, to improve health and wellbeing. A commitment to use the latest technology and analytical tools ensures reliable, consistent and relevant results.

Judges were impressed with:

• the above and beyond holistic approach to find links to genetic and lifestyle factors
• the scientifically credible plans to tackle related conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes

“Thank you to Broadland and South Norfolk Council for recognising our health tech company as achieving ‘Excellence in Life Sciences’. We are very happy and honoured to win this award which is a testimony to the myDNAhealth scientific and technology teams who are committed to developing evidenced-based products and technologies aimed at promoting wellness and optimising healthy ageing.” 
Bernie Williams, Co-founder, CEO – myDNAhealth

Highly Commended: AAH Software

“We are delighted to be recognised with a Highly Commended award for Excellence in Life Sciences. We are passionate about research and work hard to exceed our client’s expectations and the user experience of remote participants with varying conditions.” 
Alex Howard, Managing Director – AAH Software

Finalist: Leaf Expression Systems

Ansible Motion
Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing

Sponsored by Mirus Aircaft Seating

Based at Hethel Innovation Centre, Ansible Motion creates Driver-in-the-Loop simulators for vehicle engineering. With high level physical and computational performance, an array of features expressly for automotive and ground vehicle simulation, their unique immersion technology places drivers and engineers into compelling virtual worlds.

Judges were impressed with:

• a solid increase in sales and a corresponding growing workforce
• the next generation product design to provide further growth over the next five years

“We are delighted to be recognised for the 2020 Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing Award. Ansible Motion chose Norfolk as the preferred place to produce its advanced driving simulators simply because the manufacturing, engineering and contract manufacturing infrastructure and expertise was all available within a 30 mile range of Hethel. It provides the best location for us to create the high-fidelity products that our customers need to develop and validate new vehicles.” 
Gavin Farmer, Commercial Manager - Ansible Motion

Finalists: Cobalt Aerospace, Panel Graphic Ltd

Credo Asset Finance
Excellence in Financial Services and Insurance

Sponsored by Jarrold Training

Established in 2005, Credo Asset Finance has already brokered over 400 million pounds to more than 8,000 local businesses in both Norfolk and Suffolk and consider themselves the premier trusted Business and Personal Asset Finance specialists. Their philosophy is based on treating each customer as though they are their only one, and building long lasting relationships with the vehicle and supplier networks.

Judges were impressed with:

• the firm’s growth in difficult economic conditions
• its focus on niche products setting them apart from other providers

“Now in our 15th year, Credo Asset Finance are thrilled to win this award, and we dedicate it to our Founder Simon Gray who passed away in September. For Simon looking after the customer was everything, and he would have been delighted for us to be recognised in this way.

We understand how this year has been a challenging one for so many people, so it is a big boost for the company to be recognised for helping so many businesses at a local level. We all feel we won this for Simon.” 
Fran Brown, Marketing Manager – Credo Asset Finance

Finalists: ML Financial Associates, Price Bailey

Flint Vineyard
Innovation in Agriculture, Food and Drink

Sponsored by Pasta Foods

Innovation meets tradition at Flint Vineyard with the state-of-the-art fermentation equipment and techniques, perfectly blended with age old tradition and a real passion for making English wine that has already landed Ben and Hannah a host of awards in their idyllic Waveney Valley setting.

Judges were impressed with:

• the teams planning, research and groundwork prior to the initial investment
• the continued use of innovation and a well thought out business plan for future growth

"After the year we've all had, it's lovely to have something to celebrate! We are really proud of our Charmat Rosé and it's great to be recognised for pioneering this style of English sparkling wine here in Norfolk." 
Hannah Witchell, Owner – Flint Vineyard

Finalists: Chet and Waveney Valley Vineyard, White House Farmshop and Cafe

The Norfolk Mead
Visitor Economy Experience

Sponsored by Adnams

In the heart of our unspoilt broads, the Norfolk Mead in Coltishall is one of the top luxury places to stay in Norfolk - providing excellence in hospitality - across their bedrooms, restaurant, spa Treatment Rooms, and the event venue The Garden Room.

Judges were impressed with:

• the all year-round visitor destination experience
• the team embracing the local businesses and wider community

"We are all absolutely delighted to have won the Visitor Economy Experience Award at the 2020 Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards. Our ethos has always been to continually evolve, adapt and expand our luxury offer. This resolve has helped us through this challenging year for hospitality where the resilience of our staff and our new services including Takeaway Afternoon Tea, have helped us to continue to weather the storm. This award win is such a boost to us so we can close 2020 on a brighter note, and look forward to more of a return to normality across our Hotel, Restaurant, Spa Treatment Rooms and Event Venue in 2021.” 
James Holliday, Owner - The Norfolk Mead

Finalists: Cornucopia Xchange Ltd, The Corn Hall

Simon’s Table Ltd
New Business

Sponsored by CNC Building Control

Husband and wife team Simon and Nicola produce a range of tasty products, initially inspired by a marmalade recipe from over 30 years ago. This led to shortbread and finally a gin liqueur, all of which can now be found in stockists right across the country.

Judges were impressed with:

• the quality of the products; the branding; the passion in the team for innovation
• the clear development and growth plans for the future

“Nicola and I are delighted to receive the New Business Award and would like to thank our customers and suppliers in helping us to build the business that we have. We hope that, along with other local businesses, this will help to highlight the Diss area and what South Norfolk has to offer." 
Simon Rawcliffe, Owner - Simon’s Table Ltd

Finalists: Hungry Cat Cafe, Waggy Tails of Wymondham

SNAP
Business Growth

Sponsored by Big Sky Living

A second award for SNAP, this time demonstrating a strong performance in every area of growth – turnover, profit, customer base, market share, territory and new products.

Judges were impressed with:

• the innovation and ambition of the team
• the clear plans for further investment in both product and people

“Having established a presence in the haulage industry, we have focused on growing our offering and helping customers in both the UK and Europe. As a proud local business, we are very happy to have been awarded the Business Growth Award for the Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards 2020.”
Mark Garner, Managing Director – SNAP.

Highly commended: Proeon Systems Ltd

“Proeon is delighted to have received this award as recognition of the hard work and dedication that the team here have given in what has so far been a challenging year. Focusing on our clients and projects we have maintained our plan for the business and we are so far succeeding in moving the company onto the next chapter where we will continue to develop our team and broaden our skills here in South Norfolk.” 
Richard Miller, Managing Director – Proeon Systems Ltd

Finalist: CIM Signs and Graphics

Ansible Motion
International Business Growth

Sponsored by Hethel International

A second award for Ansible Motion, focusing this time on how their investment in securing a pipeline of international orders resulted in doubling their exports in 2019.

Judges were impressed with:

• the management team’s awareness of their competitor’s offer
• a real understanding of the future of the sector

“Ansible Motion is very proud to have secured the International Business Growth award. Customers from Japan, USA, Australia and mainland Europe have chosen our high fidelity simulators in this period and we are very proud that we continue to be recognised in the global automotive market as a world leader in simulation. With new products, rising demand and a growing reputation, we look forward to further growth.

We are very grateful to Broadland and South Norfolk Councils for having the tenacity to run these awards despite the challenges posed by 2020. This region provides everything we have needed as a young and hungry business supplying some of the biggest names in both the motorsport and the automotive industries. To secure two awards in a single year is particularly a proud moment in our 11 year history.” 
Gavin Farmer, Commercial Manager - Ansible Motion

Finalists: Cobalt Aerospace, Panel Graphic Ltd

Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney
Environmental Impact

Sponsored by UEA's Low Carbon Innovation Fund

Emmaus is a charity with a difference. They provide a home, meaningful work and a sense of belonging to formerly homeless people. The Norfolk and Waveney charity supports people in tranquil convent grounds near Ditchingham. 

Judges were impressed with:

• the impact that the repair of household goods will have
• the reduction to landfill and waste as a result
• their ambitious plans to further develop the site using alternative heat and power solutions

“We are incredibly proud to receive this award for the work we do here at Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney. Recycling and reusing is a core part of the work of our social enterprises, and reducing our environmental footprint shapes everything we do as a charity.

From diverting items away from landfill, selling them in our shops instead, or recycling metal items in our new forge at our Ditchingham community, we are always looking at new ways to continue to reduce the mark we leave on the environment.” 
Cecile Roberts, Chief Executive - Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney

Highly commended: Norfolk Bluebell Wood Burial Park

“We are delighted with this recognition coinciding with our five year anniversary, our strong environmental credentials and our overriding bond with nature enabling families to connect and reflect." 
Andrew Morton, Founder - Norfolk Bluebell Wood Burial Park

Finalist: HLC (Part of the Scott Group) Ltd

Our Slice of Country Life
Retailer of the Year

Sponsored by Fosters Solicitors LLP

This delightful arts and crafts gift shop based in Diss is a truly successful hybrid of high street and online, mixed with a strong community focus and partnerships with other local businesses.

Judges were impressed with:

• the first-rate customer service and experience
• the mix of locally sourced ethical stock and
• Helen’s well thought out strategy for future growth

"I am overwhelmed to win this award. My customers really are fabulous, and I am so truly grateful to each and every one of them for nominating the shop and for supporting myself and my son, and all the wonderfully talented artists that stock my shop. Thank you to the judges and to everyone involved in the awards they are a brilliant way to celebrate all that Norfolk has to offer! Congratulations to the other winners and all the finalists." 
Helen Beeching, Owner – Our Slice of Country Life

Finalists: Brundall Home Hardware, Little Boutique

Special thanks to Simon Finlay photography for capturing all our worthy winners!