The 2014 Courier Business Awards are shaping up to be the best yet.
That was the opinion of our prestigious panel of judges as they sat down to the near impossible task of whittling down more than 100 entries to iron out a shortlist across the 12 nominated categories this year.
“I think it would be difficult to have a better set of entrants,” Alliance Trust chief executive and Courier Business Awards judging panel chairman Katherine Garrett-Cox said.
“There is a huge diversity and variety amongst the companies who have entered and also several repeat applications, which is encouraging to see.
“Many of the submissions were very fresh and several of the categories had to be deliberated over for a very long time.”
Lady Susan Rice, managing director of Lloyds Banking Group Scotland, agreed that the huge variety of applications showed the strength of business in Courier Country.
She said: “I was a judge last year and it is great to be back. I think we had an even more diverse and strong set of entrants this year.
“Last year I was amazed at that, but this year there were even more different businesses in the mix.”
Lady Rice said the quality of the applications also indicated that Tayside, Fife, Stirling, Clackmannanshire and the Mearns was recovering well from the financial crisis.
“A few of these businesses actually started in 2008 or 2009, right at the height of the financial crisis,” she said.
“The fact that they have succeeded shows a great deal about the area and the people driving these businesses forward.”
Peter Lederer, chairman of Gleneagles Hotel, which is about to host the Ryder Cup, said he too was impressed.
“This year is my first year on the panel, but I thought the submissions were very impressive,” said Mr Lederer, who is also a director at Diageo.
“I have lived in the area for 31 years and I was very encouraged to see so many applications from businesses in Dundee.
“It is a great sign of the direction the city is going.”
Mr Lederer, one of the world’s leading hoteliers, also believes that the awards could do wonders for those who win.
“The awards that matter are those given by customers or those judged from outside, so I think it would be hugely valuable to any business,” he said.
“It is a very competitive environment and it should be a huge confidence boost. An award can help raise a company’s sights.”
That view was echoed by Sandy Richardson, from the V&A at Dundee, who thought the awards would help boost the profile of many Courier Country businesses.
He said: “This is an exciting time for the area and I was very impressed by the diversity of the submissions.
“Of course, it is up to the company how they present the award, but being shortlisted and winning will really help raise the profile of the business.
“It can give them a huge boost.”The Courier Business Awards shortlistAgricultural Business of the Year (sponsored by Blackadders Solicitors)
Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze East of Scotland Farmers Ltd Mackays Ltd
Digital and Online Business of the Year (sponsored by Blackadders Solicitors)
eCom Scotland Fairprint GFI Max Ltd
Family Business of the Year (sponsored by Thorntons)
Jannetta’s Gelateria Mackays Ltd Rockwell Solutions Ltd
Growth Business of the Year (sponsored by MDG Group)
Eclipse (IP) Ltd Fairprint Hydrus Group Ltd
Manufacturing Business of the Year (sponsored by Bank of Scotland)
Mackays Ltd Pacson Ltd Ravensby Glass Company Ltd
Retail Business of the Year (sponsored by Tokheim)
Jannetta’s Gelateria Scaramanga Trading Ltd Wicked Soup, trading as Aitken Wines
Science and Technology Business of the Year (sponsored by McGill)
Shortlist to be announced later
Services Business of the Year (sponsored by Muirfield)
Carbon Financial Partners Ltd Eclipse (IP) Ltd Stoneridge Electronics
Social Impact business of the Year (sponsored by Alliance Trust)
Fife Sports and Leisure Trust The Factory Skatepark Hillcrest Group of Companies
Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Business of the Year (sponsored by Avian)
Blown Away Cairnie Fruit farm & Mega Maze Craigatin House and Courtyard
Young Business of the Year (sponsored by BT)
Ex Scientia Ltd St Andrews Brewing Company Sustainable Energy Scotland
Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Federation of Small Businesses)
Active Kid Toys Ltd Bridgeview Station SP Technology
* The Courier Business Awards 2014 take place at the Fairmont St Andrews resort on November 14. Book your table now.
For more information, contact Rachael Duff on rduff@dcthomson.co.uk or 01382 575965 or visit www.thecourierbusinessawards.com.