Breakwater IT provides IT support and services to businesses across Norfolk (Image: Phil Barnes Photography)

Breakwater IT

Based in Norwich, Breakwater IT provides IT support and services to businesses across Norfolk and the UK. It works with a range of sectors, supporting teams of 10 to 400 in professional services, leisure, tourism, charities and more.

The company’s team of technicians and account managers forms working partnerships with clients, allowing them to truly understand their needs to best support their growth and innovation. 

In addition to IT support, Breakwater provides services including backup, cloud solutions, telecoms and CCTV, as well as consultative and specialist project work. 

The judges commended the “strategic orbit” in the Breakwater office, which the team uses to share their focus and objectives. They also noted the support it offers to local charities.

Holkham estate

Holkham Estate is a thriving rural estate situated on the north Norfolk coastline, covering 25,000 acres. 

It is made up of many smaller businesses sharing one vision: to be the UK’s most pioneering and sustainable rural estate.

Employing a team of 320 employees, rising to 380 in the peak season, Holkham is one of north Norfolk’s largest employers. 

The land and property team manages 300 residential homes and commercial lets, and it is growing its own house-building capability.

The judges praised the “excellent” training and development offered at all levels, which gives Holkham employees the opportunity to learn something in work time that may be outside the remit of their job.

Mobilityways in Norwich is a social enterprise which builds climate tech for large employers (Image: Mobilityways)

Mobilityways

Mobilityways is a tech-led social enterprise on a mission to make zero carbon commuting a reality. 

The Norwich-based business builds climate tech, empowering large employers to measure, reduce and report their Scope 3 commuter emissions.

For two decades, its Liftshare solution, part of the Mobilityways suite of software tools, has powered car-sharing communities for hundreds of the UK’s large employers and local authorities.   

The judges said the leadership team is “leading from the front in being human-centric leaders”, adding that they have “raised the bar so high in Norfolk with how they have embedded a fantastic positive culture that you can feel when you are in their business”. 

Richardsons Leisure has recently launched a range of new attractions across Norfolk (Image: Richardsons Leisure Limited)

Richardsons Leisure

Richardsons Leisure is a market-leading tourism, leisure and hospitality business.

The business recently completed a five-year strategy to create a host of new visitor attractions and improved guest facilities at its boating holidays marina in Stalham, five-star holiday park in Hemsby, day boat marina in Wroxham and family entertainment centre in Lowestoft.  

The company, which employs almost 200 team members, has delivered a pay award of 18pc since March 2022, along with personal development programmes, reward and recognition schemes, and wellbeing benefits. 

The judges said Richardsons’ values “resonated through everything they did”. 

They added that its recognition and rewards were fantastic, including 75pc off holidays for friends and family, and days off for weddings, birthdays and dog bereavements.

The winner of the Employer 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.