The Courier Business Awards 2021 has ended with 20 trophies handed out to delighted firms and entrepreneurs.
More than 400 guests attended the awards, held in association with Henderson Loggie, at Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee.
Television presenter Mark Durden-Smith hosted the event and presented the awards.
The top Business of the Year prize went to Hutchison Technologies.
Judges remarked on the firm’s bravery in completely changing direction to secure vital PPE for Scottish hospitals.
Businessman Tim Allan won the Outstanding Achievement trophy.
More comment and reaction from the night can be found here.
Courier Business Awards 2021 winners
Apprentice Award sponsored by D&A College
Winner – Courtney Bayne from Dundee City Council.
- “It’s an absolute privilege to have won. I was happy with the picture on my table that just said I was a finalist but to have actually won the award – I was shocked.”
Best Social Media sponsored by ALTAR Group
Winner – The Crystal Shop Scotland
- Owner Clare Ferguson: “When lockdown happened we had to find new ways to promote our business. Here I was, a woman over 40 learning how to use social media. It has been such a success and connected us with so many people. When the shop was able to reopen we got customers coming in from all over the UK who had got to know us through our social media presence. Winning this award is super.”
Business Leader sponsored by Ninja Kiwi
Winner – Tim Allan
- Tim Allan: “I’m thrilled and surprised and delighted. There were some fantastic colleagues on the shortlist and to my mind we are all winners. It’s only through the combined effort of the business community that we’ve all endured, survived and started growing stronger again. It’s a very united community in Dundee and Angus and we all support each other.”
Community Business sponsored by Castle Water
Winner – Hillcrest
- Angela Linton, chief executive: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won this award, especially given how strong all the entries were. I’m very proud of our whole team. We’re a huge organisation and this has been a huge team effort. So many people in the community have needed our help and support and I’m so pleased our work has been recognised with an award.”
Covid Resilience Award sponsored by Apex Hotels
Winner – Hutchison Technologies
- Mike Forbes, marketing director: “I think you’re always pleased to be among the nominees, so it was a very pleasant surprise to win. It was a really great validation for the company and I’m very happy they’ve been recognised.”
Energy Business sponsored by Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc
Winner – Coast Renewable Services
- Director Mark Robson: “It’s brilliant to have won. We’re a locally owned, small renewable business and this award is really for the whole team, not just me. The business has grown so much in just two years, which is incredible for a small Dundee business.”
Angus Family Business sponsored by Thorntons
Winner – Powerwasher Services
- Director Liz Carnie: “We are very delighted with the win. The start of the pandemic was really a big worry for us but after about six weeks we managed to find some new customers in the food, care and haulage industry. It was a lifeline and since then we’ve even taken on new staff so it’s been great to have that growth despite the year. The whole team is looking forward to celebrating with a bottle of bubbly.”
Dundee Family Business sponsored by Thorntons
Winner – Harry Lawson
- Harry Lawson (second generation) and son Michael Lawson: “We didn’t expect to win this at all so we’re surprised and delighted. It’s been a very difficult year for everyone and people have done a remarkable job to come through it all.”
Fife Family Business sponsored by Thorntons
Winner – Grain & Sustain
- Louise Humpington, owner. “I’m very, very excited to have won this award. We are a zero waste refill emporium and with COP26 happening in Scotland it’s good to have a spotlight on the circular economy. It’s fantastic to be recognised by The Courier. So many companies now are starting to put sustainability first and we’re pleased to be at the forefront of that movement.”
Perthshire Family Business sponsored by Thorntons
Winner – Crieff Hydro Hotel
Kristian Campbell, resort general manager: “I’m over the moon we’ve won. The business has been in the same family for six generations and it has been troublesome during the pandemic. But the whole team has really pulled through and we’re coming out of it stronger.”
Overall Family Business sponsored by Thorntons
Winner – Harry Lawson
Independent Retail Business sponsored by Tayside Group
Winner – Assai Records
- Keith Ingram: “I am delighted. We won the award in 2019 too, so it was really incredible to get it again. We really didn’t expect it. The team has worked really hard. It has been a tough 18 months and they have done really well to change and adapt. We’ve got a great team – this award is really for them.”
Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality Business sponsored by Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce
Winner – Crieff Hydro Hotel
- Stephen Leckie, managing director: “The Courier Business Awards are always a highlight of our year. Winning an award this year means more than ever. It is now so hard to attract staff into the hospitality industry. It really does make a difference to our staff knowing that they work for an award winning company. Hospitality staff already worked so many hours a week and Covid has heaped even more work on them. I would like to thank every single one of our workers for all they’ve done.”
Most Innovative Business sponsored by Amazon
Winner – SP Automation & Robotics
Roy Henderson, director, SP Automation and Robotics: “I’m absolutely overjoyed with the win. It’s superb for the company and everyone involved. We were all really surprised with it. It’s already been such a great night and this has really just topped it off.”
Service Business sponsored by Brewin Dolphin
Winner – ATL Turbine Services
Elena Hamilton, customer service manager; “I’m really proud of the team, as it’s been a tough year and a half. So to have this recognition has been really appreciated.”
Small Business sponsored by Coast Renewable Services
Winner – The HR Booth
- Alistair Booth, owner: I’m absolutely buzzing to have won. There was such an impressive field of businesses in this category so to have actually won feels amazing. This is our first Courier Business Award and we’ll definitely be back. Hopefully next time we’ll be in the running for best medium or large business…”
Technology Business sponsored by Blackadders
Winner – NCR
- Fiona McDade, software division: “This is a big team award. We have a team of 150 people working on cutting edge software here in Dundee,and this city is key to our future. We’re moving much more towards digital banking so a technology award means a great deal to us.”
Young Business sponsored by NCR
Winner – Social Good Connect
- Caroline McKenna, CEO and founder: “The team is just so excited to be here, especially. We were finalists in three awards tonight, so to win one was just brilliant. The team worked so hard for this. This award is absolutely about them, not me.”
Business of the Year sponsored by Henderson Loggie
Winner – Hutchison Technologies
- Mike Forbes, marketing director: “This is a terrific piece of validation for all the work the staff have put in not just over the past weeks and months but over the last year and a half. This award really is nothing to do with me and everything to do with a big team effort. More than 100 people have shown amazing resilience, innovation and ingenuity. We’re currently finishing off a brand new office in Dundee Technology Park and when we move in this trophy will take pride of place in our display cabinet.”
Outstanding Contribution sponsored by The Courier
Winner – Tim Allan
- Tim Allan: “I was absolutely not expecting this. I’m actually very moved by it. There have been so many people over the past 18 months who have endured so much and given so much of themselves. Thousands of people have made outstanding contributions to their communities throughout this pandemic. To my mind what I’ve contributed is no more than my duty.”
