THE shortlist is revealed today for one of the most prestigious business award schemes in Scotland.

Now in their seventh year, The Herald Scottish Family Business Awards, held in association with Business Gateway, recognise the success of family-owned firms across a broad range of activity.

Following a flood of entries from family companies from around the country, and a hugely competitive judging process, the finalists can now be revealed for the 10 contested categories in this year’s awards.

An award for Outstanding Contribution to family business, won last year by Kenneth Graham McAlpine of McAlpine & Co, will also be unveiled on the night. The awards take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on Wednesday, December 5.

Hugh Lightbody, chief officer of the Business Gateway National Unit, said: “Congratulations to all of the finalists in this year’s Herald Family Business Awards. All entrants to the competition made the judging process extremely difficult again this year, confirming the high quality and standards Scotland’s family businesses operate to.

“Family businesses are a major part of the country’s economy and, as a result, Business Gateway works with many of them, in every corner of Scotland, helping them achieve their goals.”

The judging panel, chaired by The Herald’s business editor Ian McConnell, was impressed by many of the finalists’ stories, which highlighted the role played by family firms in contributing to much-needed employment and economic growth around Scotland. Entrants also displayed initiatives that reduce the environmental impact of their activities.

Paul Yacoubian, managing director of Craig Corporate, said: “It’s fantastic to see such high quality finalists again this year. Their stories are inspiring, and typify the great work being done within family businesses across Scotland. The businesses that emerge as winners will have done so against the very strongest of competition."

Mike Kennedy, director of Western Pension Solutions in Scotland, said: “Congratulations to a truly vibrant selection of family firms on making it through as finalists in these awards. Family firms are the engine room of the Scottish economy and it is great to see the diversity of business sectors represented in the shortlist.”

Fraser Campbell, head of family business advisory services at Campbell Dallas, said: “This promises to be yet another excellent year, with many quality family businesses taking this as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Scottish rural sector.

“In the Large Rural Family Business category, the bar has been set very high and we are very much looking forward to the big night”.

John Anderson, director of Strathclyde Business School, said: “What a fantastic line-up we have for this year’s awards.

“The great spread of family businesses from all sectors and parts of Scotland clearly demonstrates what our work as one of the UK’s largest family business research teams tells us – that family businesses make a significant contribution to the Scottish Economy.”

Bernard Dunn, client director at TL Dallas, said: “This is our sixth year of co-sponsoring The Herald Family Business Awards, and it’s a privilege and a joy to read and discuss these fantastic companies with my fellow judges.

“There is a superb influx of new applicants for the awards this year, some new and some dating back to the 1850s and still going strong.”

Brian Colquhoun, UK head of commercial banking at Clydesdale Bank, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring Scottish Family Business of the Year Award (Small/Medium) at the Herald Scottish Family Business Awards 2018. This year the calibre of entries was extremely high, which is testament to the success of family businesses in Scotland.”

Grant Stevenson, partner at Burness Paull, said: “I congratulate all finalists on reaching this stage of The Herald Family Business Awards.

“This recognition is well-deserved and they should be very proud. The finalists showcase the impressive calibre of family businesses in Scotland.”

For more information see: http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/

familybusiness/ or contact Nina Holmes on 0141 302 6036.

The shortlist:

Fastest Growing Family Business Award – supported by Business Gateway

CPR Scotland

Davis Trackhire

Dow Group Ltd

Spectrum Service Solutions Ltd

Business Innovation Award – supported by Western Pension Solutions

Hardie Polymers

MDive Ltd

Wholesale Domestic

International Growth Award - supported by Burness Paull

Douglas Laing & Co

Marzipan Media

Freetobook

Customer Service Excellence – supported by TL Dallas

Anderson Maguire Funeral Directors

Connelly Security Systems

Freetobook

Mearns & Company

Commitment to the Community

CPR Scotland

Bells Food Group

Wholesale Domestic

Green Family Business of the Year

GAP Hire Group

Henderson’s of Edinburgh

WRC Recycling

Rural Family Business (Small/Medium)

Cruise Loch Ness Ltd

KCP

MacLennan Motors

Rural Family Business (Large) – supported by Campbell Dallas

Bells Food Group

Glenrath Farms

Scottish Family Business of the Year (Small/Medium) – supported by Clydesdale Bank

Clarks Bakery

CPR Scotland

Cruise Loch Ness Ltd

Douglas Laing & Co

Peacock Salt

Wholesale Domestic

Scottish Family Business of the Year (Large) - supported by Craig Corporate

Bells Food Group

Chardon Hotels

Glenraths Farm

James Donaldson & Sons

The NWH Group

Zonal Retail Data Systems

Outstanding Contribution – supported by Strathclyde Business School

To be announced on the night