The winners of the EADT Business Awards 2024 have been announced and Kingsfleet, based in Claydon, has been named winner of the Small Business of the Year award.

Claydon is a chartered firm that provides personalised financial planning solutions for hundreds of clients as it helps organise their wealth, from pensions and investments to personal estate planning.

The company was founded in 2010 by Colin Low, who wanted to give financial advice to clients on an ethical basis, rather than focusing purely on profit.

It furthered this aim in 2019 as it shifted its focus from the scale of clients’ wealth to what they wanted to achieve using it.

The firm is firmly rooted in Suffolk, and constantly engages with the local community and supports many charities.

In 2022, Kingsfleet was awarded B Corp status, which is only accredited to businesses with high social and environmental performance, proving its commitment to both excellent client service and being a responsible stakeholder within its community.

It has also been awarded Gold Level for the Suffolk Carbon Charter in recognition of its sustainability initiatives.

The judges said Kingsfleet has “demonstrated a range of progressive activities both in terms of sustainable business growth and support to its staff and wider community”.

They added: “They have a passion for moral delivery of financial services and are focused on their local communities and the benefit that they can share through their knowledge and education.”

They also described Kingsfleet as “a business with a clear moral compass, practising what it preaches, underlined by its B Corp Status”.

“They are a continuous improvement organisation and are always looking at ways in which they can enhance their service to clients and add value to those who they can support in their local community of Suffolk.”

Speaking of the award, Colin said: “Receiving this award is a genuine dream come true.

“It hasn’t grown in a straight line as we have had numerous challenges to navigate, not least the sudden death of our dear colleague, Gary Gladwell, in 2022.

“However, we have been privileged to see the business grow organically, due to referrals from individuals and professionals across Suffolk.”

Financial planner Chris Alcock concluded: “Being at Kingsfleet is all about celebrating together and that community feeling. It’s fantastic that so many people have come out to celebrate.”

The finalists

SimpleClick

SimpleClick, based in Ipswich, is a web design agency that recently celebrated its 15th anniversary.

Judges called SimpleClick “a progressive organisation” and commended its management team, saying “SimpleClick has proactively reviewed its working arrangements to the benefit of staff wellbeing while not neglecting the needs of the business.”

Token of the Forest

Token of the Forest is a woodworking company based in Barking Tye.

Joe Gleed set up the business during lockdown, looking to give old materials a new lease of life, with the majority of products made from disused whisky or wine barrels, and other reclaimed materials.

he judges said the business has a “wealth of opportunity to grow and develop”.

Westview IT

Stowmarket-based Westview IT offers IT and support services across East Anglia.

Launched in 2017 by Owen Williams, it has grown to become an outsourced IT department exclusively for small businesses.

The judges praised the company’s focus on “taking particular clients that suit its skillset” in order to not overstretch its staff.

Find out more about all of the winners here.

For more information on next year's EADT Business Awards, please keep your eyes peeled for updates at eadtbusinessawards.co.uk