IT is always a tense wait throughout the evening to find out who is going to wear this year’s overall winner of winners crown.

The format is slightly different this year, in that the company will be chosen on the night with the help of guests, in an exciting new, interactive format.

Last year’s winner was Gordon Rhodes & Son which had suffered a devastating fire at its seasoning manufacturing premises.

It took sheer determination to rise from those ashes and carry on supplying its wide customer base with their needs. During the evening the company won Manufacturer of the Year.

Jo Lee, who works in marketing and communications with the company said last year: “To be perfectly honest we are blown away to win.

“To get the manufacturing award was brilliant, but this, winner of winners, and in front of so many of the district’s top businesses, is absolutely amazing. I can’t stop smiling.”

Everyone has worked so hard to build the business back up after the fire, but it shows what hard work and commitment can do.

“Everyone pulled together. We really want to thank our customers too for sticking with us and all the staff who went above and beyond so the company could get back on its feet.”

In 2017 the highest accolade of the evening went to cyber security company ECSC which also been named Job Creator of the Year.

The firm had floated on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange in December last the previous year and in 17 years has progressed to achieve a turnover of £4.5 million.

It was founded in 2000 and now operates in 25 countries and employs 110 people who protect its clients from cyber attacks.

CEO Ian Mann said: “We are very proud to have won these awards. There are 110 of us and each one is a winner.

“Cyber attacks are becoming more frequent and we are here to protect businesses of all sizes, from two or three employees to huge conglomerates, against them.”

In 2016 the winner of winners was recycling company UCAN Recycling.