The winners of the EADT Business Awards 2024 have been announced and Kingsfleet, based in Claydon, has been named winner of the Customer Excellence award, sponsored by Greater Anglia.

Kingsfleet is a chartered financial planning firm that manages millions of pounds for over 400 clients.   

Managing director and chartered financial planner Colin Low founded the business in 2010. Colin had been working in financial services for 22 years and noticed that some other firms were entirely focused on profit, rather than providing value to clients.  

Colin started Kingsfleet to provide financial advice on an ethical basis. Instead of running solely for profit, the firm’s fundamental purpose is to serve clients and meet their needs. 

In 2019, Kingsfleet transitioned to a “lifestyle financial planning” approach, shifting the focus from how much wealth clients have to what they want to achieve using it.    

Today the firm provides personalised financial planning solutions, helping clients achieve their future goals by advising them on their wealth, from pensions and investments to personal estate planning. 

Its focus on client outcomes rather than solely profit is underlined by its B Corp status, which it achieved in 2022, and its commitment to outstanding service is evidenced in its excellent customer reviews.   

The judges commended Kingsfleet for offering “a truly customer-focused, personal service for its clients”.  

They said that the business is “consistently listening to customers and tailoring its support to their individual needs”.  

Managing director of Kingsfleet Colin Low said: “We’ve tried for many years to get this award, so it means a huge amount. 

“The entire focus of our business is on our clients – without them we wouldn’t have a business, so it’s absolutely amazing to be recognised.” 

Colin’s advice for businesses is to “always put your clients first”. 

“They’re the people who we phone; they’re the people who we consider to be the top priority every single day. As long as you’re focusing on them, the rest of the business should be quite easy.” 

The finalists 

Corbel Solutions  

Corbel Solutions is an Ipswich-based provider of IT consulting and managed IT services for SMEs in Suffolk, serving over 50 clients across various industries. 

The judges said “Corbel sees itself as an extension of its clients”. They also noted the “series of value-add initiatives” it has employed to educate its clients on leveraging technology to better their business. 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines   

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in Ipswich is a fifth-generation family business, employing 220 people ashore and 2,000 crew on board its three ships. 

Recognising the “real passion to make everyone’s experience with Fred. Olsen a memorable one”, the judges said that the business has adapted to feedback from customers and “a number of initiatives have been created to excite the traveller”.   

Geek Retreat Ipswich  

Now in its third year, Geek Retreat is a game shop and café serving the people of Ipswich. Its menu, product offerings and events are tailored to the needs of the community. 

Commenting on Geek Retreat, the judges said: “It is clear that there is a real passion to be part of the community and to go the extra mile for customers whose interests and needs vary enormously.” 

About the sponsor  

Greater Anglia is proud to be sponsoring the Customer Excellence Award at this year’s EADT Business Awards.  

The business is passionate about delivering excellent customer service and ensuring that the railways play their full part in helping our region to be both economically prosperous and a wonderful place to live. It is therefore committed to consistently raising customer service standards. 

As part of a £1.4 billion investment programme, Greater Anglia has a complete fleet of brand-new trains operating on all of its services routes. This has transformed the travelling environment, providing more comfortable journeys, increasing seating capacity and delivering excellent punctuality and reliability on a consistent basis. 

Find out more about all of the winners here. 

For more information on next year's EADT Business Awards, please keep your eyes peeled for updates at eadtbusinessawards.co.uk