Businesses from across east London and Essex came together to honour the winners of the Thames Gateway Business Awards 2016 on Friday.

Held in the luxurious surroundings of Canary Wharf’s East Wintergarden and hosted by none other than BBC business journalist Declan Curry, the night’s ceremony saw our panel of expert judges reveal who had won each of the highly-coveted awards.

With 12 awards on offer hopeful entrepreneurs from across the capital were treated to a performance from classical singers Duette before BBC business journalist Declan Curry took to the stage to take charge of proceedings.

Trevor Blackman was thrilled that his company, Ape Media, was selected from all the finalists to receive their award, which was accompanied by £12,000 worth of free advertising across Archant newspapers.

Speaking after he won, he said: “I’m absolutely amazed and thrilled and I am just so, so grateful.

“It’s been a long year of really hard work and when you’re employing other people there’s a lot of responsibility on your shoulders to make sure everything works out, but this makes it all worth while.

“This award is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - thank you.”

Another big winner on the night was 24-year-old Izaak Rushton of Shadowcast Ltd, who was crowned Entrepreneur of the Year for his work setting up and managing the Engine Rooms recording studio in Bow.

“It means a lot to win - it feels good to be acknowledged,” he said of taking home the award. “Especially when you consider that a lot of the judges are city people with loads of experience, it shows I must be doing something right.

“I had my mum in the audience and all the support I have had from friends and family has been so important so it’s been a brilliant night.”

Another of the night’s winners were Stuart Rook and Tony Charles of Foundation Sports.

Despite the fact just the two of them attended the awards, their victory in the Commercial Business in the Community Award was greeted with a large cheer from their table.

Mr Rook said: “Only the two of us came along but we were lucky to make quite a few new friends at our table during the course of the evening.

“It’s brilliant to win it.”

Mr Charles agreed: “A lot of business is about being able to quickly build a rapport with people, and we even managed to do that tonight so it’s been great for us.”

The night also gave those in attendance the opportunity to raise money for three specially chosen charities doing vital work across east London and Essex, Haven House Children’s Hospice, Richard House Children’s Hospice and Havens Hospices.

A charity raffle, auction and casino successfully raised £3,210 on the night.