Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park has been named this year's Employer of the Year at the EADT Business Awards 2023.

Located in Wherstead, near Ipswich, Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park opened in 2002 and has become a well-known attraction for visitors to Suffolk.

Beginning life as a livestock farm with the goal of rearing rare British breeds, the park has grown and evolved over the years to become an award-winning wildlife park which aims to provide a great day out for the whole family.

With over 100 different species to see, the park believes in making the natural world accessible to all and also offers visitors the chance to shop, explore the gardens and dine in the restaurant.

The business celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and is constantly striving to do more and give visitors and employees alike the best experience possible.

The judges felt that “Jimmy’s Farm is a fantastic example of a business living its core values while providing great produce and a great experience”.

They praised its focus on staff, its “supportive culture” and its “hands-on” managing director, stating that all of this “is clearly making it an enjoyable place to work and visit”.

They added that they look forward to seeing how the park’s plans for expansion will pan out.

Stevie Sheppard, park director at Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park, had this to say on winning the award: “For me it means so much because you never know if you’re getting it right.

“You can try your hardest and you never know if you’re doing the right things...but this means that we have done the right things and for our staff it shows that we’re doing things as best we can.”

The finalists

Brampton Manor

Brampton Manor is a 63-room care home in Newmarket owned and operated by Boutique Care Homes. It provides a range of services including residential care, dementia care and short stays.

Praising the family feel at Brampton Manor, the judges said that its high staff retention rate “demonstrates how they live and breathe those values and have built a great culture”.

Morrison Freight

Morrison Freight is an independently owned freight company in Great Blakenham specialising in European logistics and road freight solutions. It has also recently introduced a customs arm to the business.

The judges noted the “great” communication at Morrison Freight and said that “you can really tell how important employee welfare and wellbeing is to the directors”.

SimpleClick Solutions

Ipswich-based SimpleClick Solutions specialises in innovative software, mobile app and web development and design for clients that require bespoke tech solutions.

Citing the business’ ‘nine-day fortnight scheme’, training opportunities and “real care for mental wellbeing”, the judges said that they were “definitely convinced” that SimpleClick is “a great place to work”.

To find out more about all the winners, please click here.

For more on the EADT Business Awards, please visit the website.