A host of Suffolk businesses - including a garden centre chain and a pump manufacturer - have been crowned the region's top employers.

Around 170 leaders and professionals from across East Anglia gathered in Newmarket on October 19 to celebrate outstanding organisations going the extra mile for their workers.

The awards are based on an employee engagement survey created by regional recruitment firm Pure and eras. It is sponsored by Ipswich-based law firm Birketts.

The best hospitality and retail organisation went to family-run Woodbridge-based garden nursery chain Notcutts.

Lighthouse Training and Development of Little Bealings, near Woodbridge, was crowned best small organisation.

Best not-for-profit went to multiple sclerosis charity MS-UK of Colchester while insurance broker PolicyBee of Brightwell Barns, Ipswich, scooped the best medium organisation title.

Rendlesham pump manufacturer Amarinth scooped the best manufacturing award, while the Alex Pearce memorial award for most improved organisation went to ventilation equipment manufacturer Soler & Palau which is based at Ransomes Europark in Ipswich.

Holkham in north Norfolk was crowned best large organisation and Norwich business energy consultants Indigo Swan won best professional services company.

The year's awards focused on well-being and the organisations' environmental, social, and governance (ESG).

Best Employers - an employee engagement programme based around a survey - is aimed at helping organisations understand the employee experience, and develop forward-thinking, productive and inclusive workplaces.

All organisations taking part in Best Employers are automatically entered into the awards with winners selected based solely on the results of the employee surveys.

Organisations whose survey scores are in the top 30% are encouraged to apply for accreditation - with a number picking up platinum, gold and silver awards this year.

This involves filling in a detailed application and sending in supporting evidence to what makes them an outstanding employer. An independent panel of judges assess this alongside their survey results and participation levels.

Speakers at the awards event included Tom Athron, chief executive of Fortnum & Mason, author Jenny Segal, Mike Sewell, managing director of CPL, Nick Steven-Jones, chief executive of Jarrold & Sons and Sharon Allen, chief executive of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Jeanette Wheeler, partner and head of employment and immigration at Birketts, said: “This year’s programme was one of the best yet and we thoroughly enjoyed coming together with everyone to celebrate the achievements of the best of the best.

"Best Employers is about helping to make the eastern region a place where businesses and organisations thrive because their people are committed to ensuring their success.

"This happens when staff thrive because their employers are creating better places for them to work – something that is vital in today’s competitive job market.”

Pure Resourcing Solutions director Paul Sheldrake said: “One of the core reasons for creating the Best Employers programme was to profile the eastern region as a place where businesses can attract and retain the best talent.

"This year’s programme was one of the best yet and the awards event was a wonderful way to celebrate the achievements of the highest performing employers. 

"In such a competitive job market, company’s need to continue to evolve their culture and approach to engagement, and the Best Employers initiative is a fantastic way to measure this, make improvements and then ultimately be recognised as a Best Employer in the eastern region.”