The East Anglian Daily Times Business Awards 2024 are open for entries, and outstanding Suffolk businesses large or small from across the county are encouraged to enter.

I heard the other day that, for children, the biggest word of the year in 2023, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was climate change. Leaving aside that this is in fact two words, a fact not lost on me and my fellow language pedants in the EADT office, it is an indication, I’m sure, of the mood of the world we now live in. 

The ubiquity of the young’s obsession with the planet is one of the reasons why we are focusing on sustainability at this year’s EADT Business Awards.

Suffolk’s businesses are forward-looking and responsible; passionate about and very much a part of the communities we serve. We at the EADT have always been determined to support and champion our region’s businesses, and the dedication and forward planning you are driving towards sustainability and making our county a better place is so tenacious, it seemed obvious that these efforts should be our focus this year. 

East Anglian Daily Times: The EADT Business Awards 2024 will take place at Kesgrave Hall on July 4The EADT Business Awards 2024 will take place at Kesgrave Hall on July 4 (Image: Matthew Potter Photography and Videography)

By integrating sustainability into your business’ strategies, Suffolk businesses are reducing carbon footprints, increasing net zero targets, developing innovative green ideas all the time and striving for a cleaner and more efficient future every day. 

You don’t do it to win awards, but we thought: it’s nice to get one though, isn’t it?

In the next few days, we’ll hear from the sponsors and judges for this year’s 10 categories, finding out a bit more about the criteria for entrants and about our top accolade: Suffolk Business of the Year. Who knows who will be crowned winner of this prestigious award in 2024?

This year, I’m looking forward to celebrating the bold thinkers, the green pioneers and those who just feel they have to make a difference whatever it takes, as we all endeavour to grow better together. 

It’s going to be quite the night at the glamourous award ceremony at Kesgrave Hall in the EADT’s 150th anniversary year, which will make your win even more memorable, I like to think.

East Anglian Daily Times: There are 10 categories to enter at this year's awards, with 2024's Suffolk Business of the Year chosen from all winnersThere are 10 categories to enter at this year's awards, with 2024's Suffolk Business of the Year chosen from all winners (Image: Matthew Potter Photography and Videography)

I’d like to thank the headline sponsors of this year’s awards, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Sizewell C, as well as all of our category sponsors. Without their support these awards simply couldn’t happen.

For 2024, we will also be supporting and raising funds for Restitute, an incredible local community group that supports families dealing with the impact of violent crime. To find out more about Restitute, turn to page 13.

Thank you to all of the local business that have stuck with the EADT for however many of these 150 years you have been travelling alongside us. 

I hope to see you at our beloved event at Kesgrave Hall on Thursday, July 4.

And good luck!

To enter the EADT Business Awards 2024, please visit eadtbusinessawards.co.uk

To find out more about all categories, please click here.

The categories

Suffolk Business of the Year
Sponsored by Sizewell C and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce

Director of the Year
Sponsored by Churchmanor Estates

Customer Excellence Award
Sponsored by Greater Anglia

Medium Business of the Year
Sponsored by Pound Gates Chartered Insurance Brokers

Large Business of the Year
Sponsored by Larking Gowen

Growth Business of the Year
Sponsored by Ashtons Legal

Employer of the Year
Sponsored by Waddington Brown

Small Business of the Year
Sponsored by Advantage Angels

Start Up of the Year

Environmental & Sustainability Award

Positive Impact in the Community