Croydon firms cleaned up at the South London Business awards last week by scooping half the awards during the annual ceremony.

Undertaker Rowland Brothers International(RBI) was crowned Business of the Year and Best Medium Sized Business, while four other companies from the borough triumphed in the remaining ten categories.

Restaurateur Malcolm John cooked up a winning formula with his Croydon restaurants Le Cassoulet and Fish and Grill, and Sutton-based Brasserie Vacherin, and ended the night clutching the Entrepreneur of the Year award.

The borough’s other successes were for Croydon Business Venture in the Best Business for Customer Service category, ITC concepts for Best Business for Sustainability, and SLE Ltd for Best Businesses for International Trade.

Best Small Business, which was sponsored by the Croydon Guardian’s parent company Newsquest South London, was claimed by property management company Chainbow.

RBI director Tony Rowland, whose family firm has been helping bereaved families in the borough for 150 years, said he was excited and proud of the firm taking home its fifth award in two years.

He said: “I would like to thank everyone in our team for their good work, and this spurs us on to even greater achievements.

“I’m excited, and as an undertaker you don’t get too much excitement.”

The firm specialises in international repatriation, helping families to bring deceased loved ones home for burial from all over the world.

Croydon-born entrepreneurial winner Malcolm John, whose company was also shortlisted for Best New Business and Best Medium Sized Business, said: “I wanted to bring a little of the West to Croydon and I have done this with Le Cassoulet and then Fish and Grill.

“This award means a lot to me and to my employees and I would also like to say well done to all the other winners here tonight.”

More than 500 guests attended the Oscars-style ceremony in a lavish marquee on the pitch at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park stadium, all in eager anticipation of their firm doing well.

Speaking to the audience, South London Business chief executive Peter Pledger said: “We organise these awards because we are committed to business and business success. By celebrating success we can generate success.

“All of you are making a difference and helping to bring South London out of this recession, so thank you all.”

Croydon winners: Business of the Year - Rowland Brothers International

Best Medium Sized Business - Rowland Brothers International

Best Business for Customer Service - Croydon Business Venture Ltd

Best Business for Sustainability - ITC Concepts Ltd

Entrepreneur of the Year - Malcolm John of Malcolm John Restaurants

Best Business for International Trade - SLE Ltd