I think it is the quality of our British-made product which made us stand out to the judges. I'm very proud, but couldn't do it by myself,

so I owe this to my loyal employees.

Neal Sands Managing Director, Sands Agricultural Machinery

The 2012 Winners

• Best New Business – Gnaw Chocolate
• Business Development – Digital Phone Company
• Customer Care – Economy Car Hire
• Food and Farming Excellence – Cranswick Country Foods
• Community Impact – Rosedale Funeral Homes
• Environment & Sustainability – Foster Property Maintenance
• Director of the Year – Rob Tarrant
• International Enterprise – St Peter’s Brewery
• Online Performance – Adnams
• One to Watch – Intelligent Fingerprinting

Hosted by BBC Look East’s Stewart White, the new-look awards ceremony enjoyed a Big Top Circus theme, with acrobats and magicians wowing the crowds before the winning firms were unveiled.

Now in its 24th year, the event, held at the Lancaster Suite at the Holiday Inn Norwich, saw 30 companies vying to win the 10 award categories from International Enterprise to Best New Business, while there was also a new EDP Future 50 One to Watch Category.

While the event culminated in the announcement of the Business of the Year – the winner of winners category which saw Stalham-based Sands Agricultural Machinery (SAM) win the coveted honour after being shortlisted alongside Busseys and Brandbank.

The evening also paid tribute to the work of Norwich Theatre Royal chief executive Peter Wilson, who received the Denise Anderson Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution both to the Norfolk economy and for his dedication and commitment to the cultural fabric of Norfolk.

EDP editor Nigel Pickover told the audience that the awards were a celebration of the very best companies across our region.

“My colleagues and I at the EDP are delighted to support and honour the world of business in this part of the world,” he said.

“We devote thousands of pages, online and in print, and the time of many to tell great stories about your businesses… ones which create jobs, wealth and prosperity across our great region.

“There is no doubt in my mind that this region has the potential to become Britain’s next powerhouse regional economy… as the country tiptoes out of recession. That crusade should be our drive and ambition!” He added: “Yes we know that times have been tough but it is our job, collectively and collaboratively, to seek out the prosperous future that is just around the corner.”

See next Wednesday’s EDP Business for full coverage of the awards.