Ely-based telephone answering company PA Answer won the Small Business of the Year award after judges were impressed with its growth and development.

The team of personal assistants answer calls and provide business support services including diary management, order taking, outbound calling and administration.

The judges said: “PA Answer is a business that has risen above the severe challenge it faced in its early days, and which has now established itself in a profitable niche.

“It is developing a major new service area and has others planned. PA Answer is an excellent example of how to grow and develop a business.”

Highly commended:

Emerald Frog Marketing, Ely

The marketing and PR agency plans, manages and delivers creative marketing and PR campaigns to boost sales for customers. It specialises in internet marketing, branding, marketing communications, copywriting and graphic design as one-off projects or on a long-term retainer basis.

Yarn on the Square, Ely

The Market Place shop sells quality yarns for knitting and crochet, as well as accessories. Furthermore, it offers classes and workshops to inspire and develop skills and hosts social events and community/charity outreach programs.

BrightSpark Recruitment, Soham

An independent recruitment consultancy offering temporary, permanent, full and part-time positions across Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Its service is free to jobseekers with a one-off flat fee to recruiting companies.