Excitement is building ahead of the biggest night in the Tayside and Fife business calendar.
More than 800 guests will descend on Dundee tonight for the 2019 Courier Business Awards.
This year’s black-tie event, held in association with accountants MHA Henderson Loggie, will be hosted by television presenter Phill Jupitus and Scots comic Fred MacAulay.
A total of 24 awards will be presented to the best and brightest businesses and entrepreneurs from Courier Country within a specially erected marquee in the grounds of Apex City Quay Hotel.
Guests will enjoy a drinks reception and sumptuous three-course meal and there will be entertainment from Duende Voices with Loadsaweeminsingin’ and the Waterfront Band.
Perth-born Fred MacAulay returns to the awards after hosting with Countdown presenter Rachel Riley last year. He said: “Last year was a great success with a mixture of humour and glamour. I am delighted to be asked back to provide the glamour and I am looking forward to the humour from Phill Jupitus.”
The awards are in their seventh year and reflect the diverse nature of the business landscape in Tayside and Fife with categories including digital, design, games, retail and tourism and hospitality.
The ceremony will culminate with awards for Business of the Year and Outstanding Contribution.
DC Thomson Media’s Head of Newspapers, Richard Neville, who was on this year’s judging panel, said it had been another great year for the awards.
He said: “The quality of entries we received this year was higher than ever and showed that Courier Country remains a vibrant place to live and work.
“The judging process for the Courier Business Awards is rigorous – much discussion and debate takes place to decide our shortlist and winners. Every business and entrepreneur in the room tonight should be proud of what they have achieved and I am looking forward to celebrating their success.”
Tonight’s ceremony can be followed with a live blog on The Courier website.
Courier Business Awards 2019 in numbers
Awards – 24
Nominees – 65
Guests – 815
Tables – 79
Hosts – 2
Catering staff – 135
Marquee erectors – 30
Hours to build – 1,680
Apprentice of the Year
Calum Love
Declan McFarlane
Jamie Craig
Lottie Reardon
Design and Innovation
ACE Aquatec
NCR
SP Technology
Urban Foresight
Digital
GoRoadie
Miconex
Zudu
Enterprise in Education
Fertility Genomics
Konglomerate Games
Pocket Sized Hands
Take Your Marks
Entrepreneur of the Year
Anne MacDonald
Dale Harris
Kirsty Lunn
Nathan Pyne-Carter
Export
ATL Turbine Services
Dover Fueling Solutions
Halley Stevensons Ltd
Family
Blue Star St Andrews
Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze
Caltech Lifts
Crieff Hydro Hotel
Glendoick Garden Centre
J&D Wilkie Group
James Donaldson & Son
John James Roofing
Mackie Motors
Perthshire Caravans
Powerwasher Services
Scott Brothers Butchers
Games
Hyper Luminal Games
Konglomerate Games
Pocket Sized Hands
Growth
Balhousie Care Group
Entrust Resource Solutions
Journeycall Ltd
St Andrews Brewing Company
Manufacturing
Baker Hughes, a GE Company
Dover Fueling Solutions
J&D Wilkie Group
Retail
Assai Records
Perthshire Caravans
Scott Brothers Butchers
Science and Technology
ACE Aquatec
Exscientia
SP Technology
Service
ATL Turbine Services
Castle Water
Journeycall Ltd
Small
Elite Audio
Jon Frullani Architects
Tiger Lily Boutique
Social Impact
Dundee Contemporary Arts
GrowBiz
Hillcrest Futures
Perth Autism Support SCIO
Rossie Young People’s Trust
Tourism and Hospitality
Carnoustie Golf Links
Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre Limited
Perthshire Caravans
V&A Dundee
Young
Alpha Projects
Pocket Sized Hands
TEXO Group
Tour Tag Ltd
Two further awards will be announced on the night: Business of the Year and Outstanding Contribution
All names are listed in alphabetical order
