Courier Business Awards
WE HAVE OUR WINNERS
Wow, what a truly inspiring and rewarding night.
Thank you to all our sponsors and event partners – we really could not do this without you.
Thanks also to you, our guests, our finalists and our congratulations to all our worthy and deserving winners; well done!
It was a real pleasure to celebrate with you, the success stories of many businesses across Courier Country. Take a look below at our highlights vide – Enjoy!
Shortlist
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Apprentice
Sponsored By:
- WINNER- Lucy Morrison , NCR
- Highly Commended - Christian Williams , Here's The Plan
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
- WINNER- Lucy Morrison
- Highly Commended - Christian Williams
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Business Leader
Sponsored By:
- WINNER - 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
- WINNER - Tony Banks
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Community
Sponsored By:
- WINNER - Dundee Bairns
- Highly Commended - Alexander Community Development
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
- WINNER - Dundee Bairns
- Highly Commended - Alexander Community Development
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Family
Sponsored By:
- Dundee & Angus Family
- WINNER - Gillies
- Fife Family
- WINNER - Fisher & Donaldson
- Perthshire Family
- WINNER - Auto Services Perth
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
- WINNER - Gillies
- Fife Family
- WINNER - Fisher & Donaldson
- Perthshire Family
- WINNER - Auto Services Perth
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Independent Retail
Sponsored By:
- WINNER - Kerr's Dairy
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
- WINNER - Kerr's Dairy
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Innovation
Sponsored By:
- WINNER - 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
- WINNER - SoilEssentials
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Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality
Sponsored By:
- WINNER - Carnoustie Golf Links
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
- WINNER - Carnoustie Golf Links
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Resilience and Recovery
Sponsored By:
- WINNER - Balhousie Care Group
- Highly Commended - Feel Look Be Formula
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
- WINNER - Balhousie Care Group
- Highly Commended - Feel Look Be Formula
-
Service
Sponsored By:
- WINNER - Fresh inc. medispa
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
- WINNER - Fresh inc. medispa
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Small Business
Sponsored By:
- WINNER - Clootie McToot Dumplings
- Highly Commended - Horisk Leslie Development
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
- WINNER - Clootie McToot Dumplings
- Highly Commended - Horisk Leslie Development
-
Social Media
Sponsored By:
- WINNER - Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance
- Highly Commended - ALTAR Group
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
- WINNER - Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance
- Highly Commended - ALTAR Group
-
Technology
Sponsored By:
- WINNER Broker Insights
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
- WINNER Broker Insights
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Transition to Net Zero
Sponsored By:
- WINNER - Forth Ports
- Highly Commended - 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
- WINNER - Forth Ports
- Highly Commended - The Little Green Larder
-
Young Business
Sponsored By:
- WINNER - International Testing Services
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
- WINNER - International Testing Services
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 websiteWelcome to the next generation insurance advisory business.
Our aim is to be the best insurance advisory business in the UK, characterised by:
• People who stand shoulder to shoulder with you
• Advice that makes a difference
• Outcomes that shape your future
Partnership is the core element that drives who we are and what we believe… with our clients and with our people.
We’re combining the best traditions of broking, which place value in relationships and technical knowledge, with modern thinking and intelligent use of technology to ensure our clients experience a better way.
Welcome to Partners&
Visit Partners& 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
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Graham Huband
Managing Editor, DC Thomson Media
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David Smith
Managing Partner, Henderson Loggie
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Angela Vickers
CEO, Apex Hotels
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Elaine Maddison
Chief Executive Officer, brightsolid
Hear what our 2022 winners had to say
Lucy Morrison, project manager apprentice, NCR: I feel absolutely overwhelmed. Never in a million years did I think that I would be recognised for my work. I left school at 15 and I went on to study beauty therapy and now I’m in a technology-based role at one of the largest companies in the world. It’s like a fairytale come true. It means everything. For four years I had to work extremely hard, I was working full-time and doing a full-time degree at night time, for a long time I was wondering was it really worth it, but now I know it was.
Genna Miller, project coordinator, Dundee Bairns: I’m absolutely over the moon delighted that we have won tonight, so excited. It means everything, recognition for all the hard work we’ve done. There have been literal nights, a lot of real passion and dedication that goes into what we do and it’s so great to have that recognition for the charity but also our volunteers, I’m absolutely blown away.
Ian Philp, managing director Gillies, said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to win the Dundee and Angus family award. We had some fantastic competition this year and we’re really delighted. It is well-deserved recognition for all the team – we couldn’t do it without them.”
Eric Milne, managing director, Fisher and Donaldson: It’s fantastic, I’ve never entered any awards, but I’ve been pushed in by my younger family to do awards this year and they’ve done a very good job with it. I’m staggered. They’re going to be able to use this to push the business forward over the next generation, that’ll be fantastic for the business.
Steve Crozier, Auto Services Perth managing director, said: “It’s a great surprise for us as this is the first time we’ve done anything like this, but we’re thrilled to win. We do things differently to others in our sector and this shows that we’ve got it right. It will be great to take the award back to the staff on Monday.”
Kelvin Kerr, director, Kerr’s Dairy: This award means a lot to us, we’ve worked really hard over the last three or four years, all our staff, we’ve worked over Covid and all that supporting everybody, everyone needs milk so we’ve gone out of our way and it’s great to be recognised.
General Manager Gregor Welsh: ‘We are thrilled to have won the Innovation award against such a high standard of finalists. This is great recognition of the hard work and commitment from the whole SoilEssentials team based in rural Angus.’
Deputy chief executive of Carnoustie Golf Links Adair Simpson said: “This award is not just for us, for all the tourism industry. We all realised through the pandemic that we’ve got to work together. It has been a really challenging time for the whole industry – but we are really over the moon.”
Elaine Kenneth, founder of Fresh Inc Medispa, said: “We pride ourselves on the level of care we provide to our clients and this is great reward for that. We’re absolutely over the moon to have won.”
Michelle Maddox, owner of Clootie McToot, said: “I’m thrilled. The award means everything to me – and to the staff, many of whom are not able to attend events like this, so we’ll have our own party back at Clootie McToot HQ for all their work.”
David Craig, chief executive of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, said: “This is deserved recognition for all of the hard work that has gone in to our social media. We’re really delighted. Over the past two years, our social media channels have become an important fundraising tool and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds, which will keep us in the air.”
Fraser Edmond, chief executive, Broker Insights: I feel very excited, I did not expect this, I’m delighted. It’s massive, we set this business up as a completely new idea and we built a team in Dundee and I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved and to be recognised.
David Webster, director of energy, Forth Ports: It’s so exciting, it’s amazing to win this award. I think our commitment to the transition to net zero has been well recognised, we’ve put a lot of time and effort into it and it’s just brilliant. It’s a combination of a lot of teamwork, a lot of time and a lot of effort into develop what we’ve done and to win is fantastic.
Michael Oates and George Shields, operations director and quality director, International Testing Services: Blown away, to be nominated and to come away with this is really humbling. It’s much a privilege to be part of this and it’s a lot of hard effort from our employees as well. We’re a service business so it’s solely down to our team that we’ve achieved this.
Grace Sloan, operations director at Balhousie Care Group, said: “Winning the award hasn’t sunk in yet. This is for the homes. All 26 of our homes deserve this for all the work they’ve put in over the past two years, which has been a really challenging time.”
“I feel overwhelmed, I can’t believe it. This award is not for us here tonight, this is for the 26 care homes that have given their all over the past two and a half years.”
Terry Banks, Tony’s sister, collected the award on his behalf. She said: “It’s great recognition for the work Tony has put into the business over all the years. He is trying to take a step back and this award is quite a fitting way for him to bow out. We have tried to deliver the best level of service of care for all our clients and this is well deserved for him.”
David Smith, Managing Partner, Henderson Loggie“I have been incredibly encouraged to see businesses thriving across Tayside and Fife, demonstrating their resilience and ambitions, throughout what continues to be a challenging time. Huge congratulations to all of the very deserving winners! Keep up the fantastic work.”