A SMALL business has won a big award after being named the best in Europe.

Zing Mortgages, in Alexandra Street, Southend, took home the Best Overall Company title at this year's European Business Excellence Awards, which shine a light on successful and innovative firms.

Zing was also nominated in two other categories- Best Service Based Business and Fastest Growing Business.

Owner Paul Flavin collected the award at a black tie event at the luxury Celtic Manor resort. in Newport, Wales.

He said: “This award came as a complete shock and was very unexpected. Given the company we were in, I was proud to have been shortlisted in two categories, but to win the evening’s top award just blew me away.”

The event was organised by business coaching firm, Action Coach.

Action Coach founder Brad Sugars and Sir Terry Matthews, the first Welsh billionaire, who has founded or funded over 100 companies, were on hand to present the award to Zing bosses.

Zing Mortgages was set up in 2010 to give members of the public access to quality mortgage advice at a time and place most suited to them.

Mr Flavin added: “Breaking down the entire mortgage process has allowed us to ensure the right people are completing the right task at the right time.”

Esssex’s award-winning business coach, Lucas Vigilante, who attended the ceremony, said: “When you see the list of finalists, what Paul and his team at Zing achieved by winning Best Overall Company, the very top award at the European Business Excellence Awards, is overwhelming.

“His dedication to measure and test every aspect of his business, breaking each area down in to its smallest component parts, improving them one at a time, and then systemising them from the ground up, has resulted in this wonderful result.”

The European Business Excellence Awards were launched in 2007, annually attracting nominations from more than 24,000 firms across 33 countries.

Past winners have been from a range of industries, including cosmetics, pharmaceutical, engineering, fashion, and manufacturing.