SCOTLAND’S finest family firms enjoyed their moment in the spotlight as the winners of The Herald Scottish Family Business Awards for 2018, held in association with Business Gateway, were unveiled last night.
A glittering event at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu hotel saw TV celebrity Carol Smillie announce the winners of 10 contested categories, before culminating with the award for Outstanding Contribution to family business, lifted this year by Sir John P Campbell and Glenrath Farms. The egg producer was founded in 1957 with 113 hens. It now sells 30,000 cases of 360 eggs every week.
The Awards featured a keynote speech by family business adviser Mairi Mickel, whose family have run Scottish housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel for four generations.
Toasting a double success at last night’s awards was road resurfacing company CPR Scotland, winner of the Fastest Growing Family Business and Commitment to the Community awards.
MDive, the commercial diving contractor, won the Business Innovation Award; Douglas Laing & Co, the Scotch whisky bottler and blender, won the International Growth Award; and Mearns & Company triumphed in the Customer Service Excellence category.
The award for Green Family Business of the Year went to Henderson’s of Edinburgh; Cruise Loch Ness was named Rural Family Business (small/ medium) of the year, while the award for large Rural Family Business went to Bells Food Group.
Peacock Salt was named Scottish Family Business of the Year in the small/medium category, with Zonal Retail Data Systems taking to the podium as the winner of the Scottish Family Business of the Year for Large family-owned companies.
Hugh Lightbody, chief officer of Business Gateway National Unit, said: “The high
standards shown by all finalists made the judging process extremely tough again this year, however, it emphasises the quality of Scotland’s family businesses.
“Two out of three companies in Scotland are family businesses which reinforces the significant contribution this sector makes to the country’s economy. Congratulations to every winner and finalist.”
Grant Stevenson of Burness Paull said: “The calibre of entries this year was again excellent, and really demonstrates how special Scotland’s family business sector is.”
Brian Colquhoun of Clydesdale Bank said: “The Herald Scottish Family Business Awards is one of the highlights of our year. It’s a chance to celebrate the contribution family businesses make to the UK economy and demonstrate the talent and skills we have to offer on a national and global stage.”
Neil Grimmond of Craig Corporate said: “Our congratulations go to all the award winners, and in particular Zonal Retail Data Systems who won the large family business prize. The winners all thoroughly deserve this recognition of their achievements.”
Fraser Campbell of Campbell Dallas noted: “This year’s winners, and those on the short-list, demonstrated not just commercial
business acumen, but also a clear passion for growing their businesses to ensure they continue to flourish for the next generation; providing jobs, security and pride for their local communities.”
Mike Kennedy of Western Pension Solutions said: “Awards like these would not be possible without the family firms themselves. Family businesses are at the very heart of the Scottish economy and it is fantastic to see an event that focuses on the fabulous
businesses that contribute such a lot to our great nation.”
Bernard Dunn of TL Dallas said: “Another amazing awards evening celebrating family businesses. The winners were outstanding in their categories, and my congratulations also go to all the finalists – their people totally commit themselves to their company, their clients and their communities.”
John Anderson of Strathclyde Business School added: “Many congratulations to all the winners and finalists who were fantastic representatives of the real wealth creators of Scotland. It was a great pleasure to have presented the award for outstanding contribution to one of Scotland’s most successful family business leaders.”
Email nina.holmes@newsquest.co.uk or visit http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/familybusiness/ for information.
Winners and finalists from The Herald Scottish Family Business Awards 2018:
Fastest Growing Family Business Award – supported by Business Gateway
CPR Scotland - Winner
Davis Trackhire
Dow Group Ltd
Spectrum Service Solutions Ltd
Business Innovation Award – supported by Western Pension Solutions
Hardie Polymers
MDive Ltd - Winner
Wholesale Domestic
International Growth Award - supported by Burness Paull
Douglas Laing & Co – Winner
Marzipan Media
Freetobook
Customer Service Excellence – supported by TL Dallas
Anderson Maguire Funeral Directors
Connelly Security Systems - Commendation
Freetobook
Mearns & Company - Winner
Commitment to the Community
CPR Scotland - Winner
Bells Food Group
Wholesale Domestic
Green Family Business of the Year
GAP Hire Group - Commendation
Henderson’s of Edinburgh - Winner
WRC Recycling
Rural Family Business (Small/Medium)
Cruise Loch Ness – Winner
KCP
MacLennan Motors - Commendation
Rural Family Business (Large) – supported by Campbell Dallas
Bells Food Group – Winner
Glenrath Farms
Scottish Family Business of the Year (Small/Medium) – supported by Clydesdale Bank
Clarks Bakery
CPR Scotland
Cruise Loch Ness
Douglas Laing & Co
Peacock Salt - Winner
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 - Winner
Outstanding Contribution – supported by Strathclyde Business School
Sir John P Campbell & Glenrath Farms
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