Businesses from across Barking and Dagenham gathered to celebrate their successes and achievements at the Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce business awards.

Barking and Dagenham Post: The Barking & Dagenham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2018.The Barking & Dagenham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2018. (Image: Archant)

The ceremony, which took place at Dagenham and Redbridge’s Victoria Road ground yesterday (Thurs), saw representatives from start-ups and established companies alike gather to find out which of the shortlisted companies would be crowned winners.

The top award, business of the year, went to A13 Steel. The Barking-based company also picked up the business growth and business and social responsibility awards.

Managing director Matas Gailevicius said that the award “was a big surprise”, adding: “We’re very pleased, we work so hard.”

He thanked the evening’s hosts, Dagenham and Redbridge, for their support, as well as the Canary Wharf-based East London Business Place.

Barking and Dagenham Post: The Barking & Dagenham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2018.The Barking & Dagenham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2018. (Image: Archant)

The young entrepreneur/business person of the year award went to 16-year-old Eren Ince, who currently runs three businesses under the Ince Group umbrella.

These include marketing agency Yung Agency, smart home company Brainiac Technologies and drinks product TeaStir.

Eren, from Dagenham, said to win was “fantastic”, adding that he was inspired to go into business after seeing his dad struggle to launch his own companies.

The Dagenham Park pupil has just completed his GCSEs, and said that juggling his business and his studies was difficult at times.

Barking and Dagenham Post: The Barking & Dagenham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2018.The Barking & Dagenham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2018. (Image: Archant)

“I could have a meeting on the other side of London at 4pm, so I’d have to run home, get changed and run out again,” he said.

Paul Cunningham, commercial director of Fix Auto Dagenham, was named business person of the year, while his company won in two other categories - training, development and supporting education and customer service.

He said: “We’re really pleased. The customer service award is down to my team, and the training and development one is about getting those skills.”

Paul, who said the company had been in Dagenham for almost 20 years, added: “We’re really grateful for the Barking and Dagenham Chamber for thinking of us and choosing us as winners.

Barking and Dagenham Post: The Barking & Dagenham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2018.The Barking & Dagenham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2018. (Image: Archant)

Dagenham charity Sycamore Trust UK won the community involvement award, while £600 was also raised for the organisation on the night.

Marketing and communications manager Steve Dixon said: “We’re really delighted to win. It’s helped to raise awareness of autism as well as our charity.”

The full list of winners are as follows:

Business of the year, sponsored by Vicarage Field: A13 Steel

Business person of the year, sponsored by the Barking and Dagenham Post: Paul Cunningham from Fix Auto Dagenham

Business outside Barking and Dagenham which is trading in the boroigh, sponsored by Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce: London School of Management Education

Young entrepreneur/business person, sponsored by CU London: Eren Ince from Ince Group

Community involvement, sponsored by Shearforce Security: Sycamore Trust

Business and social responsibility, sponsored by Canary Wharf Group/East London Business Place: A13 Steel

Innovation and use of digital media, sponsored by Prontaprint Barking: Dagenham and Redbridge FC

Customer service, sponsored by Dagenham and Redbridge FC: Fix Auto Dagenham

Training, development and supporting education, sponsored by London School of Management Education: Fix Auto Dagenham

Business growth, sponsored by Time 107.5 FM: A13 Steel

Best new business, sponsored by The Nova Agency: Gains Accountants

Sole trader/micro business, sponsored by Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce: Uniform 7

Judges’ award: Borthwick Casting

Lifetime achievement: Tim Sanders Hewett