Courier Business Awards
WE HAVE OUR FINALISTS
Congratulations and good luck to all our finalists; well done!
Our winners will be crowned at our glittering awards ceremony in our CBA Marquee at the Apex Dundee on Saturday 29th October.
If you would like to join us for an night to remember, book your tickets now using the link above.
Thanks to all our sponsors; good luck to our finalists and look forward to welcoming you to our awards evening in October.
Key Dates
| 22 Aug 2022 | Finalists Announced |
| 29 Oct 2022 | Awards Evening |
Shortlist
-
Apprentice
Sponsored By:
- Christian Williams , Here's The Plan
- Jason Talbet , Journeycall
- Lucy Morrison , NCR
Sponsored By:
Apprentice
This award recognises an individual who has participated in an apprenticeship programme during 2021/2022 and exceeded their employer’s expectations. Entries can be submitted by the provider or apprentice.
Key Criteria:
- Commitment to personal development and progression
- Proof of significant contribution to the workplace
- Use of skills gained through apprenticeship programme
Shortlist
- Christian Williams
- Jason Talbet
- Lucy Morrison
-
Business Leader
Sponsored By:
- Kelvin Kerr, Kerr's Dairy
- Michael Wells, Carnoustie Golf Links
- Tony Banks, Balhousie Care Group
Sponsored By:
Business Leader
This award is open to any individual or nominated person who has had a game-changing impact on a business operating within Tayside and Fife.
Key Criteria:
- Track record of strong business or project leadership
- Demonstrate responses to business challenges and opportunities
- Proof of inspiring others
Shortlist
- Kelvin Kerr
- Michael Wells
- Tony Banks
-
Community
Sponsored By:
- Alexander Community Development
- Dundee Bairns
- Social Good Connect
Sponsored By:
Community
This award recognises more than profit groups and businesses who put community at their heart.
Key Criteria:
- Ability to influence customers and suppliers to adopt best environment, workplace and community practices
- Commitment to local employment, partnership working and social inclusion
- Significant contribution to the community or environment
Shortlist
- Alexander Community Development
- Dundee Bairns
- Social Good Connect
-
Family
Sponsored By:
- Dundee & Angus Family
- Fresh inc. Medispa
- Gillies
- Kerr's Dairy
- Fife Family
- Blue Star St Andrews
- Donaldson Group
- Fisher & Donaldson
- Perthshire Family
- Auto Services Perth
- Tabla
- We are Extraordinary
Sponsored By:
Family
Celebrating outstanding family owned and operated businesses who call Courier Country home. Open to any business from any sector which has one family member leading the company with at least one other family member active in the business. A family business from Angus, Fife, Dundee and Perthshire will receive a regional award and automatic entry into the Overall Family award.
Key Criteria:
- Evidence of family led operations
- Local procurement and service excellence
- Proof of market traction and growth
Shortlist
- Dundee & Angus Family
- Fresh inc. Medispa
- Gillies
- Kerr's Dairy
- Fife Family
- Blue Star St Andrews
- Donaldson Group
- Fisher & Donaldson
- Perthshire Family
- Auto Services Perth
- Tabla
- We are Extraordinary
-
Independent Retail
Sponsored By:
- Gillies
- Kerr's Dairy
- The Little Green Larder
Sponsored By:
Independent Retail
This award is open to all independent retail businesses operating in Tayside and Fife.
Key Criteria:
- Evidence of retail strategy in store and/or online
- Focus on customer service excellence
- Demonstrate how you are building your company USP
Shortlist
- Gillies
- Kerr's Dairy
- The Little Green Larder
-
Innovation
Sponsored By:
- ATL Turbine Services
- Feragaia
- SoilEssentials
Sponsored By:
Innovation
This award is open to all companies who put innovation and continuous improvement at the heart of their business. Whether it be through teamwork, changes to systems, adopting or developing new products or services or pivoting strategy through the use of technology.
Key Criteria:
- Ability to show out of the box thinking, problem solving and empowering workforce
- Demonstrate game changing practices and efficiencies
- Proof of commercial benefits from innovative activities and practices
Shortlist
- ATL Turbine Services
- Feragaia
- SoilEssentials
-
Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality
Sponsored By:
- Carnoustie Golf Links
- Dundee Contemporary Arts
- Dundee Science Centre
Sponsored By:
Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality
This award is open to all businesses which provide the best leisure, food and drink, visitor experiences and accommodation within Tayside and Fife; showcasing the region to the world.
Key Criteria:
- Evidence of service excellence
- Evidence of brand building and future strategy
- Commitment to attracting talent and upskilling workforce
Shortlist
- Carnoustie Golf Links
- Dundee Contemporary Arts
- Dundee Science Centre
-
Resilience and Recovery
Sponsored By:
- ALTAR Group
- Balhousie Care Group
- The Feel Look Be Formula
- Wood Leisure Holiday Parks
Sponsored By:
Resilience and Recovery
This award is open to all businesses who have shown a clear strategy to survive and thrive through turbulent economic times such as COVID-19, Brexit and rising cost pressures.
Key Criteria:
- Evidence of change of strategy in response to economic and social challenges
- Evidence of positive outcomes and resilience
- Demonstrate plans for future growth and recovery
Shortlist
- ALTAR Group
- Balhousie Care Group
- The Feel Look Be Formula
- Wood Leisure Holiday Parks
-
Service
Sponsored By:
- Fresh inc. Medispa
- Journeycall
- Kerr's Dairy
- NCR
Sponsored By:
Service
This award recognises service excellence by businesses operating within Tayside and Fife.
Key Criteria:
- Clearly defined customer service objectives and strategy
- Commitment to developing talent
- Evidence of service excellence
Shortlist
- Fresh inc. Medispa
- Journeycall
- Kerr's Dairy
- NCR
-
Small Business
Sponsored By:
- Clootie McToot Dumplings
- Heal Physiotherapy
- Horisk Leslie Development
- International Testing Services
Sponsored By:
Small Business
Celebrating the small businesses that form the bedrock of our local economy in Courier Country. Open to any business with between 1 and 15 employees.
Key Criteria:
- Demonstrate your business USP and commitment to customer satisfaction
- Proof of strategy for growth
- Commitment to developing workplace talent
Shortlist
- Clootie McToot Dumplings
- Heal Physiotherapy
- Horisk Leslie Development
- International Testing Services
-
Social Media
Sponsored By:
- ALTAR Group
- Fresh inc. Medispa
- Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance
Sponsored By:
Social Media
This award is open to all businesses who have maximised the potential of social media.
Key Criteria:
- Demonstrate creative use of social media platforms
- Proof of improved audience engagement
- Proof of revenue impact/subscribers or other benefits to business
Shortlist
- ALTAR Group
- Fresh inc. Medispa
- Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance
-
Technology
Sponsored By:
- Bright Ascension
- Broker Insights
- NCR
Sponsored By:
Technology
This award is open to any company which puts technology at its heart, whether to drive its own business or to build bespoke platforms/technology solutions for customers.
Key Criteria:
- Innovation through technology
- Evidence of implementation
- Proof of market traction and growth
Shortlist
- Bright Ascension
- Broker Insights
- NCR
-
Transition to Net Zero
Sponsored By:
- Forth Ports
- Here's The Plan
- The Little Green Larder
Sponsored By:
Transition to Net Zero
This award is open to any business offering products or services to help the transition to net zero. It is also open to companies, in any sector, who have undergone changes to become more environmentally friendly.
Key Criteria:
- Demonstrate a clear energy transition strategy
- Investment in upskilling and people
- Demonstrate environmental benefits
Shortlist
- Forth Ports
- Here's The Plan
- The Little Green Larder
-
Young Business
Sponsored By:
- Angus Grill + Larder
- International Testing Services
- Spaces Taylored
Sponsored By:
Young Business
This award is open to exciting and innovative companies operating within Tayside and Fife which started trading or launched a distinct new venture within the last three years.
Key Criteria:
- Evidence of clear business strategy
- Innovation and commitment to service excellence
- Proof of market traction
Shortlist
- Angus Grill + Larder
- International Testing Services
- Spaces Taylored
2022 Partners
Henderson Loggie has been serving Scotland and Scottish business for well over a century. Our vision is to be first choice in Scotland as a place to work and for our services to owner managed businesses.
Our purpose is to help our teams and our clients achieve their potential, to create wealth for the local economy now and to leave legacy for the future in the communities where we are located.
That’s why we have been so involved with the Courier Business Awards since the beginning. It fits our purpose in Courier Country. Our offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow give us national coverage and we are proud to be headquartered in Dundee.
The Awards are a terrific celebration of everything local in Courier Country. 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 through the Awards 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 our economy.
The Awards represent tangible recognition and reward for the knowledge, skills, capability, hard work and determination of the workforces in the diverse award categories. Courier Country is such a desirable area to build and run a business.
Like you, we want to make a difference in our local area and to see Courier Country grow and fly. The Awards are a showcase of the talent that exists throughout the area who have the same ambition.
Visit Henderson Loggie (Courier Awards) website
Henderson Loggie has been serving Scotland and Scottish business for well over a century. Our vision is to be first choice in Scotland as a place to work and for our services to owner managed businesses.
Our purpose is to help our teams and our clients achieve their potential, to create wealth for the local economy now and to leave legacy for the future in the communities where we are located.
That’s why we have been so involved with the Courier Business Awards since the beginning. It fits our purpose in Courier Country. Our offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow give us national coverage and we are proud to be headquartered in Dundee.
The Awards are a terrific celebration of everything local in Courier Country. 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 through the Awards 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 our economy.
The Awards represent tangible recognition and reward for the knowledge, skills, capability, hard work and determination of the workforces in the diverse award categories. Courier Country is such a desirable area to build and run a business.
Like you, we want to make a difference in our local area and to see Courier Country grow and fly. The Awards are a showcase of the talent that exists throughout the area who have the same ambition.
Visit Henderson Loggie (Courier Awards) websiteFamily-owned and full of heart, Apex Hotels is a collection of 10 hotels in the UK’s most exciting cities. The 4-star properties are renowned for their sumptuous bedrooms, chic restaurants and bars, stylish spas, and above all, their warmer welcome. Perfectly placed in the heart of Dundee, Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa is ideal for a getaway, whether it be for business or leisure.
Visit Apex City Quay Hotel and Spa websiteATL specialises in the repair of components for gas turbines and in particular for late lifecycle turbines. With ageing assets, parts must be refurbished as new ones are increasingly difficult to source and repair can deliver a significant time and cost savings over purchasing new parts.
Visit ATL Turbine Services websiteBlackadders is a leading, national law firm offering expert advice to individuals and businesses across Scotland and beyond. Our business lawyers specialise in corporate & commercial law, intellectual property, employment, commercial property and dispute resolution, acting for private companies, entrepreneurs and investors across a range of sectors including digital/tech, food & drink, healthcare and the creative industries.
Visit Blackadders websiteWe are the leading business membership organisation in Dundee & Angus and part of the worldwide long-established Chamber of Commerce brand. We have over 700 members who between them employ over 67,000 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.
Visit Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce websiteD&A College is an anchor institution dedicated to supporting individuals and businesses to attain the skills required to flourish. They utilise industry knowledge to deliver high-quality training and through a partnership approach, work with businesses to build strong successful workforces and deliver apprenticeship training across all industry sectors.
Visit Dundee and Angus College websiteElevator is Scotland’s leading private sector organisation dedicated to supporting the entrepreneurs, inventors, disruptors, game changers and business leaders of today and tomorrow – joining the dots at every step of their entrepreneurial journeys. Having established a unique re-investment model which sees the organisation re-invest its surpluses back into the local economy through grants and mentoring support, Elevator is supporting future generations of entrepreneurs while enhancing Scotland’s entrepreneurial landscape. Proudly delivering a range of business support services including Business Gateway, Elevator is starting up, accelerating and scaling many exciting businesses while providing training and advice to business leaders and community-based enterprises. In addition to the Business Gateway services they provide across Tayside, they support the Centre for Entrepreneurship and also deliver their community driven E3 transformational business support project. During the summer of 2022, the Elevator Foundation was born – a Scottish Charitable foundation dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs of the future. Elevator are on a mission to nurture the next generation of young entrepreneurs and business owners.
Visit Elevator websiteForth Ports was established in 1967 and has grown to become the UK’s third largest port group and the largest port operator in Scotland. Now with over 1,100 employees, handling 41M tonnes of cargo and a turnover of almost £1Bn, Forth Ports Group is a major UK employer and key contributor to the national economy and the local economy of Dundee. Our ports assist in developing logistics flows across the UK and support many key industries.
Visit Forth Ports websiteHotel Indigo Dundee brings the city’s jute-spinning past back to life with its bold, minimalist design. Set in a former textile mill with a landmark bell tower, the hotel reflects the industrial heritage and the vibrant neighbourhood of Dundee.
The lobby is decorated with icons ranging from marmalade to computer games and rooms are designed with bare-brick ceilings and bespoke fabrics referencing the city’s historic linen trade. Daisy Tasker, the on-site restaurant, celebrates Scottish cuisine and community, serving locally sourced flavours inspired by the area.
Visit Hotel Indigo website
Insights Learning & Development is a global organisation which was founded in Dundee, Scotland, 30 years ago. We work with some of the world’s biggest companies, helping their people to increase self-awareness, improve relationships, and solve real and pressing business issues. Through the framework of a common language of colour, we help people understand themselves and others, communicate with impact, tackle business challenges and become more effective teams by putting people right at the heart of everything we do.Insights’ purpose is to create a world where people truly understand themselves and others and are inspired to make a positive difference in everything they do. Our people are guided by our values of making a difference, delivering results, working together, enabling success and enjoying the journey.
Visit Insights websiteJourneycall, part of the ESP Group, is an award-winning customer experience organisation. Based in Arbroath and Hull, we deliver omnichannel, first-line customer contact, back-office support, product issuance, fulfilment and software development. Our clients include blue-chip organisations such as Transport for London, the Civil Aviation Authority, Network Rail, Scotrail, Stagecoach and London Councils. Operating 24/7/365, our services support the public across the UK and the Americas. Journeycall was founded in 2003, initially operating from sites in Laurencekirk and Brechin before consolidating in Arbroath in 2014. We opened our satellite office in Hull earlier in 2022. We employ nearly 300 people and are one of Angus’s largest private employers.
Visit Journeycall websiteMarsh Commercial – a diverse colleague community, serving a diverse client community with insurance, risk management and employee health & benefits advice. They leverage the scale, expertise and access to products and services provided by Marsh McLennan Companies for their clients’ benefit – whilst maintaining a personal client-centred approach.
Visit Marsh Commercial websiteMichelin Scotland Innovation Parc, an ambitious joint venture between Dundee City Council, Michelin, and Scottish Enterprise, is a world class Innovation Parc focused on sustainable mobility and decarbonisation. With a 32-hectare site and excellent physical connectivity, MSIP has dynamic space that can adapt to all sizes of business. As well as large, flexible space, tenants will have access to an innovation campus, a skills academy, business support and competitive, green energy delivered from sustainable sources. Underpinning all activities at MSIP is a collaborative approach to achieve the goal of net zero.
Visit Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc websiteFrom small cafes to the most sophisticated banks and retailers on the planet, NCR powers the technology that integrates everything and runs the entire operation. We provide the software, hardware and services to deliver experiences that delight customers. NCR has a long history in Dundee with over 600 employees (and growing) in their Research and Development facility.
Visit NCR websiteNinja 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 websiteBridging academia and industry, Research and Innovation Services at the University of Dundee are key strategic drivers of innovation and commercialisation, offering opportunities to develop and grow your business through access to academic knowledge and resources.
We do this by:
Connecting local businesses to academic experts
Advising on opportunities to access funding, innovate and grow
Facilitating conversations and events that bring partnerships to fruition
Visit Research and Innovation Services, University of Dundee websiteThe 1,075MW 114-turbine Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm project is located 27km off the coast of Angus. A £3bn joint venture between SSE Renewables and TotalEnergies, Seagreen will be Scotland’s largest and the world’s deepest fixed bottom offshore wind farm when complete in 2023. The project will provide a significant contribution to Scotland’s net-zero ambition and enough clean, renewable energy to power around 1.6 million homes.
Visit Seagreen websiteWe deliver top quality advice and service to suit our clients and help businesses of every size – from family businesses, start-ups and SMEs through to large private and public sector organisations. With our lawyers covering every aspect of business set-up, development, compliance, protection and planning, we’re here for your business for the long term.
Visit Thorntons website2022 Judging Panel
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Dr Liz Cameron, CBE
Judging panel Chair and Chief Executive & Director, Scottish Chambers of Commerce
-
Graham Huband
Managing Editor, DC Thomson Media
-
David Smith
Managing Partner, Henderson Loggie
-
Angela Vickers
CEO, Apex Hotels
-
Elaine Maddison
Chief Executive Officer, brightsolid
Hear what our 2021 winners had to say
“It’s an absolute privilege to have won. To even have been in the final – I was happy with the picture on my table that just said I was a finalist. But to have actually got the award – I was shocked.”
Owner Clare Ferguson: “When lockdown happened we had to find new ways to promote our business. Here I was, a woman over 40 learning how to use social media. It has been such a success and connected us with so many people. When the shop was able to reopen we got customers coming in from all over the UK who had got to know us through our social media presence. Winning this award is super.”
Business Leader – “I’m thrilled and surprised and delighted. There were some fantastic colleagues on the shortlist and to my mind we are all winners. It’s only through the combined effort of the business community that we’ve all endured, survived and started growing stronger again. It’s a very united community in Dundee and Angus and we all support each other.”
Outstanding Contribution – “I was absolutely not expecting this. I’m actually very moved by it. There have been so many people over the past 18 months who have endured so much and given so much of themselves. Thousands of people have made outstanding contributions to their communities throughout this pandemic. To my mind what I’ve contributed is no more than my duty.”
Angela Linton, chief executive: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won this award, especially given how strong all the entries were. I’m very proud of our whole team. We’re a huge organisation and this has been a huge team effort. So many people in the community have needed our help and support and I’m so pleased our work has been recognised with an award.”
Director Mark Robson: “It’s brilliant to have won. We’re a locally owned, small renewable business and this award is really for the whole team, not just me. The business has grown so much in just two years, which is incredible for a small Dundee business.”
Director Liz Carnie: “We are very delighted with the win. The start of the pandemic was really a big worry for us but after about six weeks we managed to find some new customers in the food, care and haulage industry. It was a lifeline and since then we’ve even taken on new staff so it’s been great to have that growth despite the year. The whole team is looking forward to celebrating with a bottle of bubbly.”
Harry Lawson (second generation) and son Michael Lawson: “We didn’t expect to win this at all so we’re surprised and delighted. It’s been a very difficult year for everyone and people have done a remarkable job to come through it all.”
Louise Humpington, owner. “I’m very, very excited to have won this award. We are a zero waste refill emporium and with COP26 happening in Scotland it’s good to have a spotlight on the circular economy. It’s fantastic to be recognised by The Courier. So many companies now are starting to put sustainability first and we’re pleased to be at the forefront of that movement.”
Perthshire Family – Kristian Campbell, resort general manager: “I’m over the moon we’ve won. The business has been in the same family for six generations and it has been troublesome during the pandemic. But the whole team has really pulled through and we’re coming out of it stronger.”
Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality – Stephen Leckie, managing director: “The Courier Business Awards are always a highlight of our year. Winning an award this year means more than ever. It is now so hard to attract staff into the hospitality industry. It really does make a difference to our staff knowing that they work for an award winning company. Hospitality staff already worked so many hours a week and Covid has heaped even more work on them. I would like to thank every single one of our workers for all they’ve done.”
Keith Ingram: “I am delighted. We won the award in 2019 too, so it was really incredible to get it again. We really didn’t expect it. The team has worked really hard. It has been a tough 18 months and they have done really well to change and adapt. We’ve got a great team – this award is really for them.”
Roy Henderson, director, SP Automation and Robotics: “I’m absolutely overjoyed with the win. It’s superb for the company and everyone involved. We were all really surprised with it. It’s already been such a great night and this has really just topped it off.”
Elena Hamilton, customer service manager; “I’m really proud of the team, as it’s been a tough year and a half. So to have this recognition has been really appreciated.”
Alistair Booth, owner: I’m absolutely buzzing to have won. There was such an impressive field of businesses in this category so to have actually won feels amazing. This is our first Courier Business Award and we’ll definitely be back. Hopefully next time we’ll be in the running for best medium or large business…”
Fiona McDade, software division: “This is a big team award. We have a team of 150 people working on cutting edge software here in Dundee and this city is key to our future. We’re moving much more towards digital banking so a technology award means a great deal to us.”
Caroline McKenna, CEO and founder: “The team is just so excited to be here, especially. We were finalists in three awards tonight, so to win one was just brilliant. The team worked so hard for this. This award is absolutely about them, not me.”
Covid Resilience Award – Mike Forbes, marketing director: “I think you’re always pleased to be among the nominees, so it was a very pleasant surprise to win. It was a really great validation for the company and I’m very happy they’ve been recognised.”
Business of the Year – “This is a terrific piece of validation for all the work the staff have put in not just over the past weeks and months but over the last year and a half. This award really is nothing to do with me and everything to do with a big team effort. More than 100 people have shown amazing resilience, innovation and ingenuity. We’re currently finishing off a brand new office in Dundee Technology Park and when we move in this trophy will take pride of place in our display cabinet.”
David Smith, Managing Partner, Henderson Loggie“Now in its ninth year, the Courier Business Awards continues to showcase the best of the best in Courier Country. The awards are a brilliant platform for businesses to showcase their success and share their stories. There are so many amazing businesses in this area, some new, some well-established and everything in between. I encourage you all to enter and be part of these fantastic awards.”