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Monday, November 17, 2014
Business awards 2014
The Courier & Advertiser
Winner’s J for joy Andy Willox, Scottish policy convener, Federation of Small Businesses. “Courier Country is rich in small businesses and they are the lifeblood of our communities. There are so many fantastic businesses in the area and it is a pleasure to see them being recognised this evening.”
Pamela Stevenson, lead officer, economic development, Fife Council. “It’s a big crowd here tonight and everyone is looking very elegant. I will be working hard to encourage more Fife businesses to enter these awards next year.”
David Adam, Christie and Partners Surveyors. “I think the Courier Business Awards is a very prestigious event. “The Fairmont looks fantastic and it’s an excellent line-up this year. I’m looking forward to Hugh Dennis hosting.”
Graham huband business editor A modern twist on one of dundee’s famous three Js of jute, jam and journalism proved to be the big winner at The Courier BusinessAwards 2014. Jam producer mackays scooped the title of Business of theYear at the glittering ceremonyattheFairmontStAndrewsresort on Friday night. The room, filled with almost 600 local business leaders, rose to applaud as the firm’s managing director martin Grant led members of his team to the stage to receive the evening’s top award. It was mackays’second success, after the firm earlier scooped the manufacturing prize for its impressive operation at Arbroath, where it makes a range of jams, preserves, curds and the world-famous dundee orange marmalade. martin said he was delighted by mackays’ success and said it could not have happened without the firm’s fantastic local workforce. He added: “I would really like to thank everyone who has supported us on this journey so far but I should stress it’s not finished — this is just the beginning.” There was also a huge reception for dundee City Council chief executive david dorward, whose shock at being named as the inaugural winner of the Courier Business Awards outstanding Contribution prize was plain for all to see. Courier editor richard neville told guests at the black-tie dinner that mr dorward — who has been heavily involved inthegame-changing£1billionregeneration of dundee’s waterfront and the securing of theV&A design museum for the city — had played a key role in transforming the region’s economic fortunes. mr dorward, who is retiring at the end of this month, said he would “treasure” the award and used his acceptance speech to urge firms to factor young people into their growth strategies. He said: “We have tried to encourage business within the area and I hope we have succeeded in that. “We can always do more as a council and I know that, in the future, that is going to happen to encourage more engagements and partnerships within the business community.” A total of 14 awards were handed out by host and television funnyman Hugh dennis
during the course of the evening, including 12 sector-specific prizes covering all aspects of the diverse economy of east central Scotland. Among the winners was rockwell Solutions, headed up by chairman dr Aziz okhai and his son Zain, which scooped the family business category. The company at the Wester Gourdie Industrial estate produces film lids for 70% of the ready meals sold in the UK and works with all of the major supermarkets and food producers. energy services firm Hydrus Group took the growth title after impressing the judging panel with its multi-million-pound investment in a new flagship offshore test and assembly facility at Brechin, while ambitious dundee biotechnology firm ex Scientia beat 15 rival entrants to be named Young Business of theYear. The Factory Skatepark was recognised as the business with the greatest social impact, while Cairnie Fruit Farm & mega maze picked up the agriculture prize for its
successful farm diversification project. The awards were held in association with chartered accountants Henderson Loggie for a second year. managing partner david Smith — who served on the awards judging panel, which was chaired by Alliance Trust chief executive Katherine Garrett-Cox — said he had been hugely impressed by the quality of businesses that had participated in the awards this year and said the winners were truly exceptional companies. “Thesesuccessfulbusinessesdemonstrate the diversity of our wide-based economy in Tayside, Fife and Perthshire,” mr Smith said. “They may represent different sectors and be of different sizes, but they have common strengths; they are working to clear strategies, innovation is prevalent in producing high-quality products and services, they understand their markets and deliver exceptional customer service.” The evening was topped off with guests dancing into the small hours to the sounds of BlueVelvet.
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The Courier & Advertiser
Business awards 2014
Monday, November 17, 2014
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at top accolade Members of Spinal Chord opened the evening with an aerial display to entertain the audience. Picture: Dougie Nicolson.
Joe Rosiejak, Dunfermline councillor. “I think it is vitally important to recognise people who achieve things in all walks of life. “Business is very much on the up in Courier Country, and in particular in Fife, and it is a great place to come and work.”
Claire Grainger, Grainger Public Relations. “These awards make you proud to be a part of the business community in Courier Country. “There is such an exciting atmosphere this year — there’s a real buzz about the place. “Business in Courier Country is on the up and it’s an exciting place to work.”
Host impressed by success OUTNUMBERED AND Mock the Week Star Hugh Dennis said The Courier Business Awards 2014 was an inspiring and memorable event. The television comedian and host for the night said he had been hugely impressed by all of the businesses that had been nominated for an award and the stories behind their success. The entertainment industry regularly celebrated its achievements, he added, and it was great to see other businesses doing the same. “It is always good to have awards supporting local industry and this event shows this
areas is obviously very vibrant,” Hugh said. “I come from an industry where we get awards and a pat on the head the whole time. “Entertainment has decided that it is a really good thing to do and, actually, I think it is a great thing for all industries and sectors to recognise success. “All the people who are here have all achieved — they are all winners in their own right already. “But when you win an award it can actually drive you on to even greater success. “Outnumbered won a comedy award in 2010 and it was fantastic, but then you have to follow that up. “I really hope that some day at the Oscars they will say the Oscars are The Courier Business Awards for the entertainment industry!”
Ed Watson, chief executive Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. “I’m all in favour of these events, which acknowledge the efforts of all the people who make a business tick. “We are delighted to be shortlisted for an award tonight. We decided to put ourselves forward to recognise the hard work of our staff.”
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Monday, November 17, 2014
BUSINESS AWARDS 2014
The Courier & Advertiser
DIGITAL AND ONLINE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
COURIER BUSINESS AWARDS 2014 ROLL OF HONOUR Agriculture Business of the Year: Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze Commended: Mackays, East of Scotland Farmers. Digital and Online Business of the Year: Fairprint Commended: eComScotland, GFI Max, trading as LogicNow. Family Business of the Year: Rockwell Solutions Commended: Jannettas Gelateria, Mackays. Growth Business of the Year: Hydrus Group Commended: Fairprint, Eclipse (IP).
Fairprint “This is just fantastic and unexpected. It’s topped off a great night. “We owe this award to the whole team who work tirelessly. “We employ over 70 staff and it’s all down to the efforts of everyone in the company that we are standing here with this award.” Rod Scrimgeour, managing director
Manufacturing Business of the Year: Mackays Commended: Ravensby Glass Co, Pacson Valves. Retail Business of the Year: Jannettas Gelateria Commended: Scaramanga, Aitken Wines. Science and Technology Business of the Year: SP Technology Commended: BBI Solutions, Ex Scientia. Services Business of the Year: Stoneridge Electronics Commended: Eclipse (IP), Carbon Financial Partners.
In partnership with Blackadders Solicitors
FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Small Business of the Year: Bridgeview Station Commended: SP Technology, Active Kids Toys. Social Impact Business of the Year: The Factory Skatepark Commended: The Hillcrest Group, Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Business of the Year: Blown Away Commended: Craigatin House and Courtyard, Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze. Young Business of the Year: Ex Scientia Commended: Sustainable Energy Scotland, St Andrews Brewing Company.
Rockwell Solutions “It’s a wonderful award and we are all over the moon. “You work hard seven days a week and sometimes you feel that you are in a cycle, so it’s wonderful to come to an occasion like this and be appreciated. “It makes all the sacrifices worthwhile.” Dr Aziz Okhai, chairman
Outstanding Contribution: David Dorward, chief executive of Dundee City Council. Business of the Year: Mackays.
In partnership with Thorntons
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BUSINESS AWARDS 2014
The Courier & Advertiser
RETAIL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Monday, November 17, 2014
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MANUFACTURING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Jannettas Gelateria “We are absolutely ecstatic. I’m almost lost for words. “This award is the culmination of a tremendous year, both personally and professionally. “It is because of our staff that we have won this award tonight. You don’t win Retail Business of the Year without a great staff behind you.” Owen Hazel, partner
Mackays “I’m delighted to have won this award and I dedicate it to our staff. “We’ve had a challenging year and the staff at
In partnership with Tokheim
AGRICULTURE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
the factory have been absolutely outstanding. “This award is a credit to their hard work.”
In partnership with Bank of Scotland
Martin Grant, managing director
GROWTH BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Hydrus Group
Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze “Winning was a big surprise because we really didn’t expect this. “We’re absolutely
delighted to win and this award is really down to the staff who work extremely hard. “We have fantastic staff and I couldn’t do any of this without them.”
In partnership with Blackadders Solicitors
John Laird, owner
“It’s an absolutely fantastic achievement and recognition for all the hard work we have done. “In 2011 we relocated to Angus from Aberdeen and this award goes to show that the decision was justified. “We are now looking to the future and have plans to continue to grow the business and bring over 100 jobs to Angus over the next three years.” Mark Williams, managing director
In partnership with MDG Group
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Monday, November 17, 2014
BUSINESS AWARDS 2014
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD
The Courier & Advertiser
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
SP Technology “This recognition is absolutely fantastic. “We are obviously a very innovative company and this is our 30th year, so it’s a superb way to celebrate our anniversary. “This award tops an outstanding year for the company.” Roy Henderson, managing director In partnership with McGill
YOUNG BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Ex Scientia “We have only been in operation for two years and it’s great to be recognised by The Courier. “We would like to thank the staff but also all of our families who have supported us in doing this. “It’s important to have a fantastic team around you.” Andrew Hopkins, CEO In partnership with BT
SOCIAL IMPACT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
David Dorward, right, with Courier editor Richard Neville.
In partnership with The Courier
David Dorward, chief executive of Dundee City Council “I was very surprised and very humbled to be given this award. “This is the business community so you don’t expect a local authority chief executive to be recognised in that arena frankly. “We have tried to encourage business within the area and I hope we have
succeeded in that. We can always do more as a council and I know that in the future that is going to happen to encourage more engagements and partnerships within the business community. “I have never thought of my role as a job or a chore — it’s been an absolute passion,
to help the people of Dundee During my speech I also made a plea to businesses to take on modern apprentices and give them a chance, because they are the future and it’s a win-win situation. “This award is right up there in my list of achievements.”
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The Factory Skatepark “We really didn’t expect to win because we were up against two big candidates. “It’s a fabulous win for us and wonderful to be recognised. All of our hard work has paid off.” Mark Selvey, operations manager In partnership with Alliance Trust
BUSINESS AWARDS 2014
The Courier & Advertiser
TOURISM, LEISURE & HOSPITALITY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Monday, November 17, 2014
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BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Blown Away “We are absolutely blown away and just lost for words. “It’s awesome. We really weren’t expecting to win it. “It’s reward for all of our hard work. “It’s been a great night and we are delighted to be going home with this award.” Guy and Jamie McKenzie, owners In partnership with Avian
SERVICES BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Stoneridge Electronics “We are absolutely delighted. I’d like to thank the customer support team and our marketing department, but ultimately our customers. “Without their support we wouldn’t be standing here.” Amanda Robertson, vice-president, after market sales In partnership with Muirfield
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Bridgeview Station “We are over the moon to have won because we were up against some great competition. “We work seven days a week, often from 5am until late at night, and this award means a lot to us.”
Mackays
Dale Elder, owner In partnership with Federation of Small Businesses
In partnership with Henderson Loggie
“We are absolutely delighted to have been named Courier Business of the Year. “It’s our second award of the evening and it means so much to us to have been recognised in this way. “It really is an amazing endorsement of the
business. “I would really like to thank everyone who has supported us on this journey so far, but I should stress it’s not finished — this is just the beginning.” Martin Grant, managing director
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Monday, November 17, 2014
BUSINESS AWARDS 2014
The Courier & Advertiser
Blackadders Solicitors
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David Nicholson, business development manager, CeeD (Centre for Engaging, Enterprise and Development) Scotland. “The Courier Business Awards is a fantastic way to celebrate business success locally. “We have a lot to be proud of and we should be shouting from the rooftops about our achievements. “There is a lot of doom and gloom so it’s great to have something to shout about.”
Thorntons
Jenny Marra, North East Scotland MSP. “I’m delighted to be here. It’s a great networking event for businesses in Courier Country, both for the Scottish market and looking internationally.”
The Courier
Philip Long, director V&A Dundee. “I am delighted to be involved this year as part of the judging panel. “The Courier Business Awards took off last year with fantastic success and I think it should be a fixture on the calendar for years to come. “The strength of business in Courier Country is really impressive and it is equally important that this is recognised.”
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BT
Tokheim
BUSINESS AWARDS 2014
Monday, November 17, 2014
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MDG Group
Alliance Trust
Avian
McGill
Hillcrest Group of Companies
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Monday, November 17, 2014
Bank of Scotland
The Courier & Advertiser
Eclipse (IP)
Hardies Property and Construction Consultants
CeeD
BUSINESS AWARDS 2014
Henderson Loggie
The Big Partnership
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GFI Max, trading as LogicNow
Jonathan Stewart, publican, Dundee. “These awards are a great reflection on how innovative and diverse business is in Courier Country. “I’m delighted to be a part of what is sure to be a fantastic occasion.”
Blackadders Solicitors
Lesley Larg, partner, Thorntons Law LLP. “The Courier Business Awards has had such quick success and it’s a great way to recognise local businesses. “There is nothing on this scale anywhere else in Courier Country.”
East Of Scotland Farmers
Gary Robinson, Wave 102 breakfast host and MC for the evening. “Although this is only its second year, the Courier Business Awards is becoming one of the most prestigious events in the business calendar. “I think it is essential for businesses to be recognised in this way, where business people can get together and celebrate their successes.”
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Monday, November 17, 2014
BUSINESS AWARDS 2014
The Courier & Advertiser
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