Businesses celebrate this year’s success at Thames Gateway Business Awards

Last night businesses from across east London and Essex came together to honour the winners of the Thames Gateway Business Awards 2016.

Held in the luxurious surroundings of Canary Wharf’s East Wintergarden and hosted by none other than BBC business journalist Declan Curry, the night saw our panel of expert judges reveal who had won each of the highly-coveted awards.

Among the 12 awards on offer were Employer of the Year, a Customer Service Award and Small, Medium and Large Businesses of the Year.

The winner of this year’s Judges Award, which comes with the added bonus of £12,000 free advertising across Archant titles, was Trevor Blackman of Ape Media.

He was so thrilled upon accepting the award he asked to speak briefly.

“Thank you,” he told the crowd. “I’ve never won anything in my life!”

The event was also raising money for three specially-selected charities doing vital work across east London and Essex, Haven House Children’s Hospice, Richard House Children’s Hospice and Havens Hospices.

Through a charity raffle and auction, those attending on the night managed to raise more than £2,500 for them.

A full report on the night’s winners, with exclusive reaction from many of them, will be online on Monday and available in next week’s newspapers.