Property consultancy Vail Williams has been named Professional Services Firm of the Year at the at Gatwick Diamond Business Awards.

The firm scooped the prestigious award in a glittering ceremony attended by hundreds of people at Brighton’s Grand Hotel. Other finalists were Birkett LLP and Starford People & Legal.

Suzanne Holloway, Vail Williams’ Gatwick Regional Managing Partner, said:

“We are overjoyed to have won this award. It is testament to the fantastic effort put in by our skilled, diligent and dedicated team across the year for our valued clients."

“What sets Vail Williams apart is our ability to combine the breadth of a national, full-service property consultancy with the personal approach of a regional firm. The result is a practice that delivers technical excellence, deep local knowledge, and client-first solutions that create real, lasting value. In short, Vail Williams is more than a property consultancy."

“We are a people led, market-leading, community-focused professional services firm that combines industry expertise, innovation, sustainability, and a people-first ethos to deliver long-term value for clients and communities alike.”

Suzanne added:

“The Gatwick office leads innovation, piloting drone technology, digital property platforms, and iPad-based reporting tools that improve accuracy, consistency and efficiency. New initiatives in video marketing, drone footage, and 24/7 client data room platforms are reshaping the way property is promoted and managed."

“From unlocking inward investment and shaping regeneration, to supporting the public sector and creating thriving communities, we are proud to be a trusted partner making a tangible difference to Sussex’s prosperity and built environment."

“Our difference lies in our client – and people-first ethos – providing strategic, cross-discipline solutions that go beyond transactions to deliver long-term value. People are central to this success. We invest in training, wellbeing and inclusivity to empower our teams to deliver excellence while making a positive social impact.”

The award was sponsored by Crawley-based SOS Systems Ltd, a leading provider of print and document management solutions since 1985.

SOS Systems Solutions Director Gary Tomlinson, who was named Business Person of the Year himself, said:

“We congratulate Vail Williams on winning this award which was achieved after a robust judging process in a particularly tough category. To be named Professional Services Firm of the Year is a well-deserved accolade for Suzanne and the team.”

Vail Williams has a proud history of supporting businesses and communities across Sussex as a full-service property consultancy for more than 30 years.

An Investors in People Gold-accredited firm, Vail Williams operates from Crawley and Brighton at the heart of the Gatwick Diamond, delivering specialist property advice spanning agency, valuation, lease advisory, planning, business rates, building consultancy and investment.

With a team of 20, the Sussex offices combine deep local knowledge with national reach, enabling Vail Williams to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth.

From landmark regeneration and development projects to strategic sites in Crawley and Horsham, the firm has been instrumental in securing inward investment around Gatwick – helping businesses expand and thrive.

Now in their 18th year, the awards are a well-established highlight of the business calendar and are strongly supported by the Gatwick Diamond business community.

Celebrating the achievements of individual businesses and businesspeople across a wide range of categories, they also showcase the success of the Gatwick Diamond economic area as major driver of the regional and national economies.

This year’s ceremony was hosted by Ellie Taylor, a comedian, actress, writer and television personality who is a regular on shows such as on 8 out of 10 Cats, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week and Ted Lasso.

Other award winners were: Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Glide Training, Gabriel Silva - Annex Media; SSIoT Graduate of the Year – sponsored by Sussex and Surrey Institute of Technology, Tom Miller; Environmental Culture Award – sponsored by MHA, Denbies Wine Estate; The Award for Customer Delight – sponsored by Nescot, Advance Online; Kindness In our Community – sponsored by Chichester College Group, Jenni Standen, Crowne Plaza London Gatwick Airport; International Business of the Year – sponsored by Irwin Mitchell, The English Soap Company; The Award for Community Contribution – sponsored by Crawley Innovation Centre, Olive Tree Cancer Support Group.

Manufacturing Business of the Year – sponsored by Menzies LLP, The English Soap Company; New Business of the Year – sponsored by DigiBubble, Roots Chiropractic; The Award for Innovation – sponsored by Chess Dynamics, Airware Solutions; Employee of the Year – sponsored by Birketts LLP, Kellyann McGovern – Aircraft Leasing and Management; Employer of the Year – sponsored by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Annex Media; Business Person of the Year – sponsored by Lotus Labels, Gary Tomlinson – SOS Systems Ltd; Business of the Year (Up to £1M) - sponsored by Carnegie Group, Stribe; Business of the Year (Over £1M) - sponsored by Richard Place Dobson, Carnegie Group; The Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Gatwick Diamond – supported by Gatwick Diamond Business Council, Julie Kapsalis MBE.

The Gatwick Diamond is a key economic area, not just for the South East, but for the whole country. It is home to a vast range of businesses which span all sectors of the economy, from household names to niche companies and from multinationals to sole traders.

The Gatwick Diamond Business Award winners are those businesses, organisations or people who have shown innovation and inspiration in their work and have demonstrated a real commitment to this fast-developing region.

Gatwick Diamond Business is a not-for-profit organisation, owned and run by its members, and whose purpose is to support the success of Gatwick Diamond businesses and to promote the Gatwick Diamond as an economic area of regional and national importance.

Photo: Top of the Props: Vail Williams’ Gatwick regional team with the Professional Services Firm of the Year trophy at the at Gatwick Diamond Business Awards