The finalists for the EDP Business Awards 2023 have been announced, with businesses across the region receiving recognition for their hard work.
Here, we find out more about this year's Medium Business of the Year finalists, a category sponsored by Howden.
GeoAcoustics
Based in Great Yarmouth, GeoAcoustics is an export-led company that has been supplying sonar equipment globally since 1978.
The company’s worldwide success in commercial, academic and scientific markets was recognised in April 2023 when it received the King’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category.
GeoAcoustics has three main product lines that allow customers to view what is lying on the seabed, determine the depth/shape of the seabed or detect objects buried beneath the seabed.
The judges said it is “a well-established business but one that feels fresh and has been revitalised under its current owners”, adding that staff are “clearly well engaged”.
JPSE
Founded in 2020, JPSE (John Plummer Sustainable Engineering) manufactures steel foundations and light gauge steel structural frames that are installed on sites across the UK.
Based in Bracon Ash, the business has grown rapidly to become respected in its field. This year it achieved ISO Accreditation in Quality, Environment and Health and Safety and became
a finalist in the Construction News Specialist Awards in its ‘Net-Zero Trailblazer’ category’ with the winner announced later this year.
The judges said JPSE has a “really strong and innovative proposition that will contribute to environmental sustainability, improved accommodation and reduced build costs and times”.
Minors & Brady
Minors & Brady is an independent estate agent, letting and property management business founded and self-funded by two businessmen born and bred in Norfolk.
The business has grown from an initial office with three staff members to a leading estate agent with five offices in Norwich, Caister-on-Sea, Dereham, Wroxham and Lowestoft.
It has recently diversified by investing into a mortgage broking and protection business that will further help clients and home movers.
The judges said Minors & Brady is “a really exciting business with a passion for excellence and a demonstrable track record of leading its sector through employing best practice across everything it does”.
They also praised the “hugely impressive” leadership, saying they have “clearly thought carefully about how to drive success across team members and create a winning environment”.
Opergy Group
Based in Norwich, Opergy Group is a collection of small, high-growth companies focused on supporting business growth across various clean energy and energy transition sectors, together with future net-zero energy solutions.
The first of these companies is Opergy, set up by Johnathan Reynolds and Kim Duffy in late 2019, with Martin Dronfield joining as a shareholder and director in late 2020.
This was followed by Net Zero East and Hydrogen East, with the former dedicated to establishing a further platform for growth, and the latter devoted to helping establish a regional presence in the hydrogen sector. Opergy Scotland was then launched in October 2022.
Describing Opergy Group as an “impressive business”, the judges said they were “excited by the group’s readiness to support and play a role in groundbreaking new technologies while delivering sustainable organic growth in the core business”.
The winner of the Medium Business of the Year award will be revealed at the EDP Business Awards ceremony on Thursday, November 23 at Norfolk Showground. For more information or to buy tickets, visit edpbusinessawards.co.uk
To see the finalists in all categories, please click here.
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