Courier Business Awards
Apex Hotel Dundee – Saturday, October 26, 2019.
That’s it folks. CBA done and dusted for another year…and what a year it was. We had some amazing entries, an outstanding shortlist and our fabulous winners were crowned at our glittering awards ceremony. What a night!!!
Congratulations to all of our winners and highly commended businesses and thank you to our long term partner, MHA Henderson Loggie and all of our other sponsors and event partners. Without you, we would not do this; reward and recognise our amazing businesses across Courier Country.
We look forward to receiving the entries next year for CBA2020 but here is a look at our amazing 2019 awards.
Key Dates
| 31 Oct 2020 | CBA2020 |
Itinerary
| 18.15: | Drinks reception |
| 18.55: | Awards ceremony starts |
| 20.15: | Dinner |
| 22.00: | Awards ceremony continues |
| 23.00: | Entertainment/Networking |
| 02.00: | Carriages |
Winners
-
Rising Star
- Winner Amelia Milton, Smelleez
Rising Star
Shortlist
- Winner Amelia Milton
-
Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Highly Commended Calum Love, Fife Council Building Services
- Declan McFarlane, Tayside Contracts
- Winner Jamie Craig, Rossie Young People's Trust
- Lottie Reardon, DYW Dundee & Angus
Sponsored By:
Apprentice of the Year
Designed to commend an individual who has participated in an apprenticeship programme during 2019 and exceeded their employer’s expectations. Entries can be submitted by the provider or apprentice.
Key criteria:
Proof of significant contribution to the workplace
Performance excellence
Use of skills gained through apprenticeship programme
Commitment to personal development and progression
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- Calum Love
- Declan McFarlane
- Winner Jamie Craig
- Lottie Reardon
-
Design and Innovation Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- ACE Aquatec
- Winner NCR
- SP Technology
- Highly Commended Urban Foresight
Sponsored By:
Design and Innovation Business of the Year
Open to all companies that put design and the use of innovative technologies at the heart of their business.
Key criteria:
Ability to show out of the box thinking and problem solving
Demonstration of market disruptive behaviours
Embracing new technologies in product or service design
Commercial traction of a new product or service
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- ACE Aquatec
- Winner NCR
- SP Technology
- Urban Foresight
-
Digital Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- GoRoadie
- Winner Miconex
- Zudu
Sponsored By:
Digital Business of the Year
Open to cutting edge companies providing products and services on a digital platform operating within Courier Country.
Key criteria:
Ability to harness and develop digital platforms
Proof of market traction and growth
Evidence of service excellence
Commitment to local economy
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- GoRoadie
- Winner Miconex
- Zudu
-
Enterprise in Education
Sponsored By:
- Fertility Genomics
- Winner Konglomerate Games
- Pocket Sized Hands
- Take Your Marks
Sponsored By:
Enterprise in Education
Open to all companies formed out of research or ideas generated within the education sector, including student or staff start-ups, spin-out companies, or companies formed by recent graduates (graduated within the last two years).
Key criteria:
Ability to disrupt the market with new technology or services
Demonstrate business strategy for commercial success
Proof of market traction and growth
Focus on excellence in innovation
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- Fertility Genomics
- Winner Konglomerate Games
- Pocket Sized Hands
- Take Your Marks
-
Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Anne MacDonald, The Old Manse of Blair
- Dale Harris, ATL Turbine Services
- Kirsty Lunn, Molke
- Winner Nathan Pyne-Carter, ACE Aquatec
Sponsored By:
Entrepreneur of the Year
Open to any individual or nominated person who has had a game-changing impact on a business operating within Courier Country.
Key criteria:
A track record of growing business ventures
Proof of market traction and growth
Clear business vision and investment in local operations
Inspiring attitude to others
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- Anne MacDonald
- Dale Harris
- Kirsty Lunn
- Winner Nathan Pyne-Carter
-
Export Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Highly Commended ATL Turbine Services
- Winner Dover Fueling Solutions
- Halley Stevensons
Sponsored By:
Export Business of the Year
Open to any business based in Courier Country that completes a significant amount of its trade outwith Scotland.
Key criteria:
Ability to identify new market opportunities
Clearly defined export strategy
Traction in wider UK or overseas markets
Evidence of service excellence
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- ATL Turbine Services
- Winner Dover Fueling Solutions
- Halley Stevensons
-
Family Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Blue Star St Andrews
- Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze
- Caltech Lifts
- Winner Crieff Hydro
- Glendoick Garden Centre
- Winner J&D Wilkie Group
- Winner James Donaldson & Sons
- John James Roofing
- Mackie Motors
- Perthshire Caravans
- Powerwasher Services
- Winner Scott Brothers Butchers
Sponsored By:
Family Business of the Year
Celebrating outstanding family owned and operated businesses which call Courier Country home. Open to any business from any sector which has one family member as CEO/MD with at least one other family member on the board. A family business from Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perthshire will receive a regional award and automatic entry into the Overall Family Business of the Year award.
Key criteria:
Evidence of family led operations
Proof of market traction and growth
Local procurement and service excellence
Commitment to developing workplace talent
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- Blue Star St Andrews
- Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze
- Caltech Lifts
- Winner Crieff Hydro
- Glendoick Garden Centre
- Winner J&D Wilkie Group
- Winner James Donaldson & Sons
- John James Roofing
- Mackie Motors
- Perthshire Caravans
- Powerwasher Services
- Winner Scott Brothers Butchers
-
Games Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Winner Hyper Luminal Games
- Konglomerate Games
- Pocket Sized Hands
Sponsored By:
Games Business of the Year
Open to all businesses operating in the video gaming industry within Courier Country. From start-ups to established companies incorporating games design, mobile app and software developers and those operating in the augmented and virtual reality arena.
Key criteria:
Evidence of clear digital business strategy
Proof of commercial traction and growth
Demonstration of market disruptive behaviours
Investment in local operations
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- Winner Hyper Luminal Games
- Konglomerate Games
- Pocket Sized Hands
-
Growth Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Winner Balhousie Care Group
- Entrust Resource Solutions
- Highly Commended Journeycall Ltd
- St Andrews Brewing Company
Sponsored By:
Growth Business of the Year
Open to Courier Country companies that have achieved sustained growth over the last two years.
Key criteria:
Evidence of a clear business scale-up strategy
Adoption of innovative practices
Commitment to developing talent and investment in local operations
Growth of at least 50% over the most recent two year period
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- Winner Balhousie Care Group
- Entrust Resource Solutions
- Journeycall Ltd
- St Andrews Brewing Company
-
Manufacturing Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Winner Baker Hughes
- Dover Fueling Solutions
- J&D Wilkie Group
Sponsored By:
Manufacturing Business of the Year
Open to all manufacturing companies with a footprint in Courier Country.
Key criteria:
Evidence of manufacturing innovation
Demonstration of quality and safety standards
Proof of market traction and growth
Commitment to developing new talent and investment in local operations
Shortlist
- Winner Baker Hughes
- Dover Fueling Solutions
- J&D Wilkie Group
-
Retail Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Winner Assai Records
- Perthshire Caravans
- Scott Brothers Butchers
Sponsored By:
Retail Business of the Year
Open to any retail business operating within Courier Country, from independent traders to major high street outlets.
Key criteria:
Focus on customer service excellence
Market differentiation
Evidence of online retail strategy
Proof of commercial traction and growth
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- Winner Assai Records
- Perthshire Caravans
- Scott Brothers Butchers
-
Science and Technology Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Winner ACE Aquatec
- Exscientia Ltd
- SP Technology
Sponsored By:
Science and Technology Business of the Year
Open to any business organisation operating within the sciences and technologies communities. It serves to commend specialist firms delivering innovative and commercially successful products.
Key criteria:
Research excellence and creation of new intellectual property/technology platform
Adoption of innovative practices
Proof of market traction and growth
Commitment to Courier Country
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- Winner ACE Aquatec
- Exscientia Ltd
- SP Technology
-
Service Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- ATL Turbine Services
- Winner Castle Water
- Journeycall Ltd
Sponsored By:
Service Business of the Year
Open to all companies operating within Courier Country providing B2B or B2C services.
Key criteria:
Clearly defined customer service objectives and strategy
Proof of market traction and growth
Evidence of service excellence
Commitment to developing new talent and investment in local operations
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- ATL Turbine Services
- Winner Castle Water
- Journeycall Ltd
-
Small Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Winner Elite Audio
- Jon Frullani Architect
- Tiger Lily Boutique
Sponsored By:
Small Business of the Year
Celebrating the small businesses that form the bedrock of our local economy in Courier Country. Open to any business with between 1 and 12 employees.
Key criteria:
Demonstrating innovation and service excellence
Commitment to developing workplace talent
Proof of market traction and growth
Commitment to local procurement and Courier Country
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- Winner Elite Audio
- Jon Frullani Architect
- Tiger Lily Boutique
-
Social Impact Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Dundee Contemporary Arts
- GrowBiz
- Winner Hillcrest Futures
- Highly Commended Perth Autism Support SCIO
- Rossie Young People's Trust
Sponsored By:
Social Impact Business of the Year
Designed to reward not for profit firms which put sustainability at the heart of their business and is open to any organisation from any sector.
Key criteria:
Significant contribution to the community or environment
Commitment to partnership working and social inclusion
Ability to influence customers and suppliers to adopt best environment, workplace and community practices
Commitment to fostering talent
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- Dundee Contemporary Arts
- GrowBiz
- Winner Hillcrest Futures
- Perth Autism Support SCIO
- Rossie Young People's Trust
-
Tourism and Hospitality Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Highly Commended Carnoustie Golf Links
- Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre Limited
- Perthshire Caravans
- Winner V&A Dundee
Sponsored By:
Tourism and Hospitality Business of the Year
Open to all businesses which provide the best leisure, food and drink, visitor experiences and accommodation within Courier Country; showcasing the region to the world.
Key criteria:
Evidence of service excellence
Market differentiation
Proof of commercial traction and growth
Commitment to adding value to the region
Click here to enter
Shortlist
- Carnoustie Golf Links
- Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre Limited
- Perthshire Caravans
- Winner V&A Dundee
-
Young Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Highly Commended Alpha Projects
- Pocket Sized Hands
- Tour Tag Ltd
- Winner TEXO Group
Sponsored By:
Young Business of the Year
Open to exciting and innovative new companies operating within Courier Country which started trading or launched a distinct new venture within the last two years.
Key criteria:
Evidence of clear business strategy
Innovation and commitment to service excellence
Proof of market traction
Commitment to local procurement
Click here to enter
Fantastic winners Prize:
Insights is delighted to offer you and your senior management team the opportunity to experience our flagship model, Insights Discovery*.
Insights Discovery helps people to better understand themselves and others. It begins with an easy to answer online evaluation that takes around 20 minutes to complete. The individual then receives an Insights Discovery Personal Profile that highlights their strengths and weaknesses, communication style, approach to problems and value to the team.
The Insights Discovery Personal Profile can be used for individual coaching sessions or as part of a team workshop experience. By providing learning that works for you and your team, we’ll help deliver personal breakthroughs that lead to business breakthroughs.
*Up to a maximum of 10 people. Offer must be used by 31 October 2019. For more information and additional terms and conditions, please contact: communications@insights.com
***
Shortlist
- Alpha Projects
- Pocket Sized Hands
- Tour Tag Ltd
- Winner TEXO Group
-
Business of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Winner James Donaldson & Sons
Sponsored By:
Business of the Year
Awarded to a company which stands out from the pack and exhibits determination to achieve excellence in their field and create wealth and opportunity along the way. The winner will demonstrate a sound and flexible business model, turnover growth, plans to expand and a supportive attitude towards its workforce.
The winner will be chosen from all entries and named by The Courier Business Awards judging panel.
Shortlist
- Winner James Donaldson & Sons
-
Outstanding Contribution of the Year
Sponsored By:
- Winner Morris Leslie
Sponsored By:
Outstanding Contribution of the Year
Shortlist
- Winner Morris Leslie
2019 Partners
MHA Henderson Loggie has been serving Scotland and Scottish organisations for over a century now. We maintain a local presence with national coverage, with offices in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. We are proud to be part of the Courier Business Awards which provide a great ‘shop window’ to promote the talent that exists throughout the area. We work closely with businesses of all sizes and we see at first hand the effort that goes into making them a success. Recognising business achievement is, unquestionably, a positive thing to do – it sends out clear messages about the calibre of the organisations operating in this region and, via the Courier, it demonstrates to the wider public the vital role that local companies play as the backbone of the economy. The awards represent tangible recognition and reward for the hard work, ability, energy and determination of the workforces in the award categories and puts the spotlight on the challenges that companies face and how they develop innovative solutions to overcome them. In addition, the awards reflect the knowledge, skills and capability of those located in this part of Scotland and will reinforce the message that Courier Country is a desirable area in which to build and run companies, as the talent pool is here to help businesses succeed.
Visit Henderson Loggie website
MHA Henderson Loggie has been serving Scotland and Scottish organisations for over a century now. We maintain a local presence with national coverage, with offices in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. We are proud to be part of the Courier Business Awards which provide a great ‘shop window’ to promote the talent that exists throughout the area. We work closely with businesses of all sizes and we see at first hand the effort that goes into making them a success. Recognising business achievement is, unquestionably, a positive thing to do – it sends out clear messages about the calibre of the organisations operating in this region and, via the Courier, it demonstrates to the wider public the vital role that local companies play as the backbone of the economy. The awards represent tangible recognition and reward for the hard work, ability, energy and determination of the workforces in the award categories and puts the spotlight on the challenges that companies face and how they develop innovative solutions to overcome them. In addition, the awards reflect the knowledge, skills and capability of those located in this part of Scotland and will reinforce the message that Courier Country is a desirable area in which to build and run companies, as the talent pool is here to help businesses succeed.
Visit Henderson Loggie website
Amazon.co.uk opened its virtual doors in October 1998 and is part of the Amazon group which strives to be the world’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online. Amazon is proud to be a part of the Fife community and we are delighted that we now offer behind the scenes tours of our Dunfermline fulfilment centre twice a day, Monday to Friday. Register at www.amazon.co.uk/fctours to see first-hand the magic that happens when you click buy on the Amazon website.
Visit Amazon website
Apex Hotels is one of the UK’s leading independent operators of four-star contemporary hotels. Headquartered in Edinburgh, the family-owned group operates 10 hotels in Dundee, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Bath. Known for its signature warmer welcome, the Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa is ideally suited for both leisure and business travellers. Situated within the heart of Dundee city, the hotel and spa provides a modern, premium four-star experience, no matter the occasion.
Visit Apex City Quay Hotel and Spa website
Blackadders provide a comprehensive range of legal services to individuals and businesses. We are a long established law firm with offices in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth. Our ability to adapt to our clients’ changing needs and to anticipate how circumstances may change has helped us in our delivery of quality legal services and has contributed to our diverse, loyal and growing client base.
Our lawyers collaborate across various disciplines to give our clients the all-round perspective and results they require. Our commitment to training and development ensures that our experts have the professional knowledge and skills to deal with the most complex cases. Our clients include private individuals, SMEs, FTSE 100 companies and high-growth, high-tech start-ups and professional partnerships. We offer our expertise nationally and, as part of the Legus international network, we can ensure a seamless service even when our clients’ interests lie further afield.
Visit Blackadders website
We are an award-winning digital agency that combines visionary thinking with reliable technical delivery. Our services include website design & development, digital marketing, and App & software development. Our team is passionate about all things digital and we strive to develop innovative solutions to improve the way our clients do business. Having been crowned Digital Business of the Year at the 2015 Courier Business Awards, we know how important and impactful these awards are. We are proud to sponsor and support the awards once again this year.
Visit Blue2 website
Brewin Dolphin has been helping people to meet their financial goals and fulfil their aspirations for over 250 years. Founded in 1762 we are one of the UK’s largest wealth managers offering personalised financial planning and investment management advice to individuals, charities, trusts, institutions and financial intermediaries. With 30 offices across the UK, Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland, whatever your plans for life we can help you achieve them. Generating an income, funding a personal passion, planning for retirement: our first investment will always be in understanding your priorities and building a personal relationship with you.
Visit Brewin Dolphin website
With more 5-star Trustpilot ratings than all other retailers combined, more organisations across the UK are switching to Castle Water for their business water supplies.
One of the UK’s fastest growing utilities, Castle Water is the UK’s leading independent retailer. We are licensed by Ofwat and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland and serve over 550,000 businesses, charities and public bodies nationally from our offices in Blairgowrie, Ayr, Leeds, London and Portsmouth.
We are the leading business membership organisation in Dundee & Angus and part of the worldwide long-established Chamber of Commerce brand. We have over 750 business members who between them employ over 50,000 people. We work hard to help provide members with the business connections and opportunities they need to flourish.
We represent our members’ views and use our collective voice to influence opinion makers. We are passionate about Dundee and Angus and promote it as a world class destination, helping the local business community to thrive. As the fastest growing chamber in the British Chambers of Commerce network, we are proud to work with a strong & ambitious local business community.
Dundee and Angus College has three campus sites in Dundee and Arbroath with more than 12,000 students and offers a wide range of full and part-time courses. Its mission is to generate regional economic growth and social wellbeing through the provision of skills and education for individuals, employers and the wider community. Through its Future Talent initiative, it is moving away from traditional thinking and focussing much more on ‘careers not courses’. This is tied closely into detailed labour market analysis so that learners can identify job opportunities and employers can benefit from a pipeline of new talent.
Visit Dundee and Angus College website
Forth Ports is intrinsically connected to the success of the local and national economies in which they operate. They own and operate eight ports in the UK – Tilbury (London), Grangemouth, Dundee, Leith, Rosyth, Methil, Burntisland and Kirkcaldy. All of the commodities which they handle, export, import or distribute allow the economy to thrive and trade, and enhance the quality of life of many people in the UK and countries around the world. The business strategy is to invest in supply chain solutions, infrastructure and technology to deliver an excellent service to customers across a wide range of key sectors.
Visit Forth Ports Scotland website
Founded almost 30 years ago in Dundee, Scotland, Insights provides people development solutions that help companies all over the world get the very best from their people.
We use a simple and accessible model of personality type based on the work of Swiss psychologist Carl Jung and a broad range of psychometric models of increasing depth.
Insights creates more effective teams by helping people better understand themselves and others, communicate with impact and tackle pressing business challenges.
Our work is founded in the notion that personal breakthroughs lead to business breakthroughs, enabling increased innovation, creativity and productivity.
Visit Insights website
NCR is a global leader in self-service technology for the banking, retail and travel industries. Every day 700 million consumer transactions are powered by NCR solutions globally. NCR designed and built its first ATM in Dundee more than 40 years ago. This development started us on our journey to global ATM leadership and since then over 1.7 million NCR ATMs have been shipped globally, all of them designed in Dundee. NCR employ over 500 people in our Dundee Research and Development Centre of Excellence focused on bringing innovative solutions to market for banks in 180 countries all over the world.
Visit NCR website
Ninja Kiwi is a computer game developer with offices in Dundee and Auckland. Founded as Digital Goldfish in 2005 by two graduates from Abertay University the company went on to be acquired in 2012 by New Zealand based Ninja Kiwi. They have accumulated over 100 million downloads on the AppStores.
Visit Ninja Kiwi website
With clear, commercially focused advice Thorntons helps you take your business further. Our Business Law teams help businesses of every size. If you’re starting out in business, you need to get practical advice from the beginning. Thorntons can make sure your contracts are fit for purpose and protect valuable business ideas and your brand. If you are growing, again you need advice and support you can trust. Whether it’s managing your estates or your people, getting the right advice is invaluable. Thorntons are there to guide you and can also help with debt management, commercial disputes and succession planning. Our Business Law teams are all specialists, so you can be assured you’re getting the advice you need.
Visit Thorntons website
We are Scotland’s most innovative University*. Our researchers share knowledge, build partnerships and make impact beyond the learning and teaching environment. This world-leading research has social, cultural and economic impact across the globe and feeds into our overarching mission – to transform lives, locally and globally through the creation, sharing and application of knowledge. We encourage industry engagement through licensing, consulting, knowledge transfer and collaborative R&D. Our Research & Innovation Services team provide professional support for external research activities. We collaborate with businesses in Scotland and across the world and have over 20 spinout companies contributing to the local economy.
*Reuters 2017
Visit University of Dundee website
Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services. We give assistance and impartial advice to people starting or growing their business through a combination of:-
A programme of fully funded local workshops and events held throughout Scotland.
Advice to suit specific business needs through a network of experienced business advisers.
Online support – a comprehensive website with practical information and useful guides.
Business information – a dedicated team providing information and support on all aspects of starting and growing a business.
Visit Business Gateway Tayside website
Established in 1984 Fairways Recruitment, with offices in Perth and Dundee, has continued to diversify and grow organically. Fairways provides pragmatic value for money services throughout the employment journey – from recruitment solutions to training and development, HR consultancy and employment law advice to exit strategies, the full 3600 employment solutions service.
Visit Fairways Recruitment website
3 Session Street is Dundee’s newest late-night jazz inspired cocktail lounge serving up classic cocktails with a contemporary twist along with boutique spirits and craft beers until the wee hours of 2am (Tuesday – Sunday). The venue is mid-century modern in design offering a unique space, great for casual drinks, celebrations, corporate get-togethers with options to personalise your night-out with specialised masterclasses and tastings. A casual dining offering launches September 2018 featuring locally sourced produce displaying our favourite sharing dishes and small plates from around the world.
Visit 3 Session Street website
The School of Business at the University of Dundee delivers an extensive range of business research and degree programmes across the areas of accounting, management, marketing, finance, international business, entrepreneurship and economics.
Visit Dundee Uni Business School website
The Rookery has made Carnoustie a destination for locals and visitors looking to experience dining with a point of difference. With stunning views across the course to the sea, this stylish and comfortable restaurant showcases the best produce Scotland has to offer. The Rookery is family friendly and open for everyone to enjoy, serving seasonal lunch, dinner and drinks menus throughout the year. The restaurant offers a relaxing eating space with wonderful service and a sweeping outlook over the world famous Championship Golf Course.
Visit The Rookery website
Liz Hobbs Group (LHG) is renowned for its highly successful business model of combining music and sport; a concept pioneered by its CEO, Liz Doogan-Hobbs MBE, and is a market leader in the events industry both as producer and promoter of a range of outdoor music concerts and tours, indoor gigs and bespoke events UK wide.
LHG are delighted to have staged a number of concerts in Slessor Gardens to audiences in excess of 70,000 and we remain committed in working in partnership with key stakeholders to maximise the economic and social impacts cultural programmes can bring to the city.
Visit Liz Hobbs Group Limited website
Opened in July 2018, Hotel Indigo Dundee has transformed a formerly abandoned mill into one of Scotland’s most exciting new hotels. Named as 2018’s Top Scottish Hotel by The Sunday Times, and designed to reflect the vibrant neighbourhood of Dundee, guests can learn about the city’s heritage thanks to lobby decorated with icons ranging from marmalade to computer games. Bedrooms are similarly themed to reflect the city, with custom artwork and accessories hand-picked from locally-educated designers. In addition to luxury accommodations, the hotel is host to Daisy Tasker – their 2 AA Rosette restaurant. Serving a locally inspired menu, the restaurant is open for breakfast well into the night, serving diners delicious dishes in chic surroundings.
Visit Hotel Indigo website
From the moment you arrive down the mile-long drive you experience the magic of Glamis Castle framed against the backdrop of the Angus Glens.
Glamis Castle has been the ancestral seat to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since 1372. It was the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, birthplace of HRH The Princess Margaret and inspiration for Shakespeare’s, Macbeth.
Step inside this fascinating and historic building and explore 1000 years of history in the heart of Angus. A visit to Glamis Castle will remain a treasured memory for you, your friends and family long after you leave.”
Visit Glamis Castle website
Gillies was founded in 1895 by James Gillies, moving to Broughty Ferry in 1906 as cabinetmakers, upholsterers and removal contractors before finally opening on the current site as ‘House Furnishers’ in 1939. Since then Gillies has grown the flagship Broughty Ferry showroom to 45,000 sq.ft and added stores in Aberdeen, Inverness, Montrose and Perth.
Over 120 years since the company’s founding, Gillies continues to be family run, and to provide the North East of Scotland with the highest quality home furnishings, carpets and flooring, backed up with the same philosophy of excellent service, innovation and value for money established 5 generations ago.
Visit Gillies of Broughty Ferry website
In 1874 when James Aitken became a wine merchant in Dundee, he could not have imagined how the world of wine would change, or, that over 145 years later the business would still be providing customers with the same dependable Aitken Wines service from WSET trained staff. Aitken’s meet with wine and spirit makers from all over the world to help find the right bottle for their customer, whether it’s a wedding for 200 or a quiet night in for 2!
In 2015, the business used their expertise to establish The Wine Press – a friendly and thriving wine bar in the heart of Dundee’s waterfront regeneration. Now in it’s 5th year, the bar offers an extensive range of wines, local beers, and food as well as the opportunity to use the only Enomatic wine preserving and dispensing equipment in the region.
Visit Aitken Wines website
Entering its 10th year, The Cateran Yomp attracts over 1,000 participants from Scotland and across the world to take on the 54 mile in 24 hours trek. Organised by Aberfeldy based True Grit Events with support from Dundee companies Patter PR and Purple Imp, the event showcases Perthshire’s historic Cateran Trail and raises vital funds for the National Charity of the British Army – ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.
The Yomp offers excellent opportunities to promote your brand, achieve CSR objectives and improve employee engagement. A variety of sponsorship and team packages are available. Call 020 7811 3201 or email yomp@soldierscharity.org for details.
Visit Soldiers Charity website
The Eden Mill story started with a mission to revive the lost art of distilling and brewing in St Andrews. As Scotland’s first single-site distillery and brewery, making gin, whisky and beer, Eden Mill spirit is created by our distillers in copper pot-stills and exhibits a wide range of flavours from botanicals sourced from the local area, as well as from around the world. As creators of craft gin, whisky and beers, our team of distillers have the opportunity to marry the best practices from all these disciplines. Our team is challenged with applying modern techniques and understanding to time honoured traditional methods. An appreciation of the intricacies of barrel aging and quality wood is one benefit we enjoy from this special status. We apply this in order to develop truly innovative creations, such as our bourbon-aged Oak Gin. Sharing our passion is not a glib marketing slogan for our team. It is simply what we love doing. We hope you can join in and enjoy the journey with us. Be part of the birth and evolution of something really special.
Visit Eden Mill websiteJudges
-
Richard Neville
Head of Newspapers, DC Thomson Media
-
David Smith
Managing Partner, MHA Henderson Loggie
-
Catriona MacIness
Editor, The Courier
-
Liz Cameron, OBE
Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce
-
Chris van der Kuyl
Chairman and co-Founder, 4J Studios
-
Gayle Mann
Chief Operating Officer, Entrepreneurial Spark
-
Mike Soutar
Advisor to Lord Sugar, BBC’s The Apprentice
Why Enter?
I’m really happy to win the award for my handmade soaps for dogs and humans. Apparently the judges were very impressed. I had to give them loads of evidence about why I should win. It was a nice surprise to be picked. I’ve had a lot of fun at the awards.
I am absolutely delighted for all the team. We are such a small team and we rely heavily on the creativity and the passion of our volunteers. The work they put into the business is fantastic and we couldn’t do what we do without them. Winning the award has come as such a lovely surprise for us. Our work is really about providing support services to people with additional support needs. We provide them with a variety of fun activities from music to drama so we’re delighted our work has been recognised.
We’ve had a great night. It’s our first time here and our first nomination. We’ve heard a lot about the awards so were very excited to enter. It’s an honour to be part of it all since it’s such a big event.
I’m feeling great and it feels awesome to have won the award. It’s amazing to think that our work has been recognised out of the whole area, it’s really unbelievable. Of course we were hoping to win and it’s great to have the support from the community. We develop games for other businesses and we have had the pleasure of working with major companies such as Disney for example so it feels like our work has paid off.
It’s really exciting and unexpected to win. It’s a special award to have. It’s really great to be appreciated and to have positive feedback. We feel honoured and priviledged. We entered last year too and it’s really great to be acknowledged for the work we do.
I am in absolute shock and I wasn’t expecting it at all. We’re still students at Abertay so it’s such early days for us, so to even be nominated felt amazing. Our project has been really good with working with children who have cystic fibrosis so it’s good to be making a difference and helping people.
I’m ecstatic to win. It came as somewhat of a surprise. We didn’t know what the chances were, realistically, so it’s great to get the recognition. This is the first year we’ve entered. It’s been a really great event. I’m really impressed by it and it’s great for the Courier to celebrate local businesses.
We are delighted and proud to have won. It’s been an exciting responsibility for us all to have developed the V&A. It’s been beyond all expectation and we’re very happy to contribute to Courier Country. We’re very pleased and proud as there are a lot of great tourism businesses in the area and it’s very nice recognition to be alongside so many other fantastic businesses. The evening is fantastic and it’s great to see it go from strength to strength each year. I’m lucky enough to have been to every Courier Business Awards and it’s always such a privilege to be here.”
I’m very happy to win. I started out in an apprenticeship that was meant to be for two years but finished it in one year and was then offered a job as a full time chef. I now cook for 100 people including 30 young people, and staff too. The award ceremony has been fantastic. The atmosphere is so relaxed. I’ve had a really good time.
It’s quite overwhelming to win two awards in a row. It’s really unexpected but really exciting at the same time. Winning Entrepreneur of the Year is massive. It’s been a long road to get to the point where we are now and it’s amazing to see the growth of the company. We identify problems in aqua culture and we try to find the right partners to deal with it. What we do relies on the trust we build with other people. It’s quite a unique and innovative business model. It’s been a fantastic evening and it’s great to have Phill Jupitus here as well, he’s been great.
We’ve had a brilliant evening. Our team do excellent work and it’s been a joyful night to share with them. It was a surprise to win. There were 12 nominees so we came here not thinking we had much of a chance. We’re terribly proud and humbled.
It’s absolutely fantastic to have won, we really didn’t expect it at all. We’ve worked hard and we invest in our business and we invest in our employees. Right now we’re very lucky because butchery seems to be recognised as the place to buy your meat.
I’m absolutely delighted that we are business of the year. I’m incredibly proud. I was absolutely not expecting it. It’s the first time we have attended these awards. To win two awards and then the overall award is an amazing achievement. It’s entirely about the team. These awards are really important to our workforce. We’ve got just under 1000 people working for us across 31 sites in the UK. These awards are for our incredibly dedicated employees. The small section we’ve had at the awards tonight have had a fantastic night. The event has been incredibly well catered and the entertainment was fantastic. Although Phill was fantastic we were a little disappointed we didn’t get Rachel Riley this year though!
I feel exceptionally proud to win the award for best family business in Perthshire. It’s been 150 years of the same family and it means a lot to them, especially being up against such outstanding competition. It’s been a fantastic evening, we’ve been here a number of years and this is the best one by far.
I’m shocked but absolutely delighted to win. I absolutely wasn’t expecting it. It came as a shock to our whole table. There were some genuinely great companies so we were very pleased to have been picked. It’s our first time here and we’ve had a fantastic evening.
I am delighted and absolutely proud as punch. Last year we won Service Business of the Year so delighted to be back and win again. It was a pleasant surprise and it’s for all of our work force. We started off as a small business in Kirriemuir and we have been at it a long time but the fact that we have won the Growth of the Year and been recognised shows how we’re still progressing.
I’m having the best time ever. We also had a great time last year. We won an award last year and this year we’re sponsoring and also up for an award. Last year was the first time we’d gone for the awards and we were so impressed by how good the night was – it was by far the best event of its kind we’d been to, so we decided to become sponsors.
We are absolutely delighted as we export to 170 countries out of Dundee and were just over the moon to have won. We were not expecting it at all. The evening has been fabulous, it’s just so professional and so well organised.
I was so surpised to win – it was unexpected but I was delighted. This was the first time we’d entered and been at the awards. It’s been a fantastic night. A lot of the work we do is in the area so it’s nice to be recognised in our home patch. It’s nice to meet other similar types of businesses from the area.
It’s absolutely fantastic to have won. It’s great to have recognition for a lot of hard work over the last five years. We were really surprised as there was a lot of very strong competition. This is a fantastic event and it’s the awards we take most seriously each year. It’s just such a great event and it’s fantastic to have received an award to recognise all the work we do.
I’m delighted to win. We were finalists for two years in a row so winning this year was a great feeling. I was hopeful of winning although I wasn’t expecting it. We’ve had a great year as a business – we’ve had a lot of fun bringing lots of bands to Dundee.
It feels absolutely fantastic to have been awarded with the Outstanding Contribution. I honestly couldn’t believe it and I’m just completely overwhelmed. I find my whole life has been all about people and I’ve been lucky to be able to interact with people from all over the world. I was always brought up to treat people how I would like to be treated and that is something that I’ve tried to take forward into business. I was truly overwhelmed by the video presentation that was put together. I was totally blown away. I was just completely shocked with how great it was and I’m thankful to those who put it together. The whole evening has just been absolutely fantastic and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.