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