Caribbean Blinds UK Ltd, based in Sudbury, was crowned overall winner of the East & East Anglia Family Business of the Year, also being recognised on the national stage as the overall winners of the Homes & Gardens title. The Indie Cambridge member Cambridge Juice Company was voted as the East & East Anglia People’s Choice.
The region also produced this year’s national winner for Entrepreneurship, with Milly J Shoes taking the top spot, and Leadership Through Data triumphant in the Financial and Professional Services category.
The awards, which were launched in 2012 by Family Business United, are a celebration of the family business sector and have become a real highlight in the family business calendar, seeking to celebrate the strengths and depth of expertise of family firms across the UK.
Paul Andrews, Founder and Managing Director of Family Business United (pictured), explains: "We were delighted to pull together such a vibrant selection of family businesses for the 2020 awards, some that have succeeded for numerous generations and continue to thrive, and others that are relatively young but have great values at the heart of what they do. Given the challenges associated with running a business throughout the pandemic it was fantastic to see so many family firms adopting new ways of working, pivoting their businesses and developing new routes to market. It has not been easy but the family business sector has shown its resilience and continues to be at the fore as the economy reopens and bounces back.
"The expert panel of judges were really impressed with the way that the winners continue to evolve, building on strong vales, their response to changing market conditions, good governance and dedication to the people in the businesses.”
Alexandra Nelson, Partner and Head of Family Business Services at Birketts, added: “The awards serve as a fantastic reminder of the quality of family businesses in the East and East Anglia region. The calibre of entrants was extremely strong but the region’s overall winner, Caribbean Blinds UK Ltd, represents a great British family firm that truly deserve all the plaudits that winning this award brings."