The Thurrock Business Awards are getting bigger and better, and it's easy to see why...

And it’s all thanks to those who are making a real name for themselves in the area. And there are plenty of them.

And what a fantastic turnout, more than 300 of the borough’s biggest hitting movers and shakers crammed into the Civic Hall in Grays.

Simon Moore, chief executive of DP World London Gateway, set the tone with an impassioned speech about how he arrived at Stanford-le-Hope railway station, almost a decade ago, with a vision and not much else.

He told how he was repeatedly told that his superport dream would remain just that. A dream.

Now, fast forward nine years and that dream has become a reality. 

The port is a modern day success story, one of many such stories here in Thurrock.

On the awards night there were many worthy winners and consequently in the build-up to it the judges, including myself, had a hell of a time picking them. 

This all bodes well for the future of the borough, and those making their livings here who have bags of confidence, drive and the right attitude.

And it also soon become clear these businesses know how to have a good time too!

The champagne was flowing, the atmosphere was jubilant and the night soon elapsed into the following morning... 

Warmest congratulations once again to all those winners, and let’s not forget the many finalists too who just missed out. And of course the dozens who didn’t quite make the short list this time around.

I already can’t wait to do it all again next year.

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