Bury Free Press West Suffolk Business Awards: Curtain falls and winners revaled at gala event

The curtain has fallen on the Bury Free Press West Suffolk Business Awards season for 2025.

The gala event, held at The Apex, in Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, on Friday, saw the best in business from the West Suffolk district and Bury Free Press circulation area gather to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond this year.

Winners and highly commended awards were announced across 13 categories, sponsored by Jaynic, West Suffolk Council, Eastern Education Group, Menta, @INC, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, Greene & Greene Solicitors, Whitings LLP, Treatt, arc Shopping Centre, WS Training and Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District.

The night opened with a drinks reception, sponsored by Thomas Ridley, in The Apex’s foyer before guests headed through for a three-course meal.

But before the food was served, master of ceremonies Steve Williams opened the evening.

Speakers included Ricky Allan, chief revenue officer at Iliffe Media; Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for growth at West Suffolk Council; Peter Prinsley, MP for Bury and Stowmarket; and Joanne Landucci, head of fund-raising at My WiSH, the official charity partner for the night.

The awards themselves were hosted by Harpreet Kaur, winner of BBC’s The Apprentice in 2022.

In a question-and-answer session before revealing the category winners, she regaled attendees with stories from her time in the world of business, as well as what it was like to be in the boardroom with Lord Sugar.

The Hestia Clinic took home the prize for Business of the Year, Small, sponsored by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

“I think it’s huge validation. For us it’s quite unbelievable.

“We’re completely self made, moving into new premises, so for everyone to accept us and know what we’re about is a huge achievement.”

Earlier this year The Hestia Clinic moved from its former Langton Place base to the former Mings Oriental, in Abbeygate Street, which it said was the ‘realisation of a dream’.

Emmerson Critchley Ltd was highly commended in the Business of the Year – Medium/Large category.

Director Emmerson Marshall-Critchley, who was also nominated for Business Leader of the Year, said: “I’m blown away to be honest.

“I think this award needs to go to my whole team. This award goes to my team-mates – I’m grateful to have every single one of them – and the people around that support us: the community; local businesses; residents and the people who have believed in what we have tried to achieve.”

The business was in the Bury spotlight this summer when its 18-month restoration of Greggs, in Abbeygate Street was finished.

The works, which ran over due to the level of damage, delighted leading town figures.

The winner of the Lifetime Achievement award, sponsored by Jaynic, was announced on the night to be George Agnew, of the Rougham Estate – which also won the prize for Investing in West Suffolk, sponsored by West Suffolk Council. He said: “It’s a bit of a shock, I’m deeply flattered. I suppose I’ve got to say it’s all thanks to so many other people who have supported me in everything I’ve done.

“These things are like a pyramid, I couldn’t be here without the other people really so I have to thank them. It’s an award for the estate rather than me.”

Entertainment on the night came from roaming magician Jamie Segrave, who wowed guests with his tricks and performances, as well as a new-for-2025 360-degree photo booth.

Jonathan Tewson, head of Iliffe Media awards and events, said: “Our 2025 Business Awards event delivered everything we wanted and more. It’s always amazing to see The Apex packed to the rafters with our amazing nominees, highly commended businesses and winners, as well as our spectacular sponsors, whom we are incredibly grateful for.

“The atmosphere on the night was electric and it was delightful to be able to shine a light on all the incredible companies and businesspeople we have in the West Suffolk district and Bury Free Press circulation.

“A special thank you to Harpreet Kaur, who hosted these awards for the first time and did an amazing job – it was great to hear stories from her life in the business world, and of course her experiences with Lord Sugar.”

The attention will now turn to next year’s ceremony, with a wash-up meeting to be held with event sponsors next month to discuss the night and what changes can be made to enhance the event even further for 2026.

This year also represented the final event in Jaynic’s headline sponsorship deal, meaning Iliffe Media is searching for a new lead partner for next year.

To purchase any of the pictures from awards night, visit https://www.photos.iliffemedia.co.uk/p647338440.

And while awards season may have finished in Suffolk, the iron is still hot within the wider Iliffe group with the Stratford Herald Business & Tourism Awards 2025 being held tonight.