This year 16 trophies were awarded to delighted companies and entrepreneurs at the Courier Business Awards – here are all the winners.
More than 700 guests attended the awards, held in partnership with Henderson Loggie, at Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee.
This year’s event was hosted by broadcaster Jackie Bird.
The top Business of the Year prize was awarded to Montrose Port Authority.
Here are pictures and reactions from all the Courier Business Awards 2024 winners.
Courier Business Awards 2024 winners
Apprentice Award sponsored by Apex Hotels
Winner – Todd Arthur, Fife Council Building Services
- Todd said: “I am absolutely ecstatic. I totally wasn’t expecting it. For a long time I planned on being a PE teacher. When I left school I went to university and got my degree. But to be a teacher I had to do my post grad but that didn’t quite work out so I started labouring in the construction industry. Luckily I got an apprenticeship when I turned 23 and it’s went from there. I really enjoy what I do.”
Brand Marketing and Social Media sponsored by Rocket Environmental Services
Winner – Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance
- Ben Wooldridge, marketing and communications officer, said: “We tell the story of what our paramedics and pilots do every single day and our supporters engage with those messages. The award is great because it means we are reaching more people across Scotland. We want our awareness to grow across Scotland. We want everyone to know about the important work we do every day to save lives and we can only do it with their support.”
Business Leader sponsored by Blackadders
Winner – Angela Linton, Hillcrest Homes chief executive
- She said: “This win is not just for me but the whole organisation. I was in Australia when I found out I’d been nominated. I was so surprised, the same as I was tonight. We are really busy just now and always looking to do different things. Our mantra is to help people live better lives and that’s what we want to do. If we manage to do that and do it well then it’s great.”
Community sponsored by Insights
Winner – Dundee Bairns
- Genna Millar, Dundee Bairns manager, said: “This absolutely means the world to us. We work so hard every day to support our community. To be recognised in this way is phenomenal. I started this job the first week of lockdown and I’ve been working away ever since. When I started, I was the only employee and we now have eight members of staff. It’s grown massively but it’s a sad reason why. We are meeting a need.”
Employee of the Year sponsored by CalForth Construction
Winner – Lyndsey Nicholls, Apex Hotels
- Front of house manager Lyndsey said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed. It’s an amazing feeling. I’m normally working at this event and do a 14 hour shift to make sure it goes smoothly. I’ve got so much support from colleagues across the business. I’ve worked here for 20 years in total and I love it.”
Family sponsored by Thorntons
Winner – The Castlecroft Group
- Jordan Black, managing director, said: “I am over the moon. It’s a special win. I started at the company when I was 15 and turn 30 next weekend. It’s been a long journey. My grandfather Ian Black started the company 40 years ago and I wouldn’t be where I am without him. This award is recognition to us as a family, to my grandfather and the people who work in the business who are just like family.”
Growth sponsored by Hillcrest
Winner – Alpha Projects
- Kevin Brown, contracts director, said: “It’s great to be recognised for everything we’ve done in the last seven years in a very challenging industry. We are really appreciative and would like to thank everybody at the Courier Business Awards. We started off with just three guys and now we have over 100 employees and everyone plays an integral part.”
Independent Retail sponsored by The Courier
Winner – Bella Mella
- Carmen Sinclair, Bella Mella owner, said: “I feel like everybody is a winner and I am probably lost for words that we have won it. It’s a journey, there are ups and downs. I feel proud of the girls, I feel proud of myself. It’s the first time we’ve been at the awards, and we would love to come back, it’s been an amazing time.”
Innovation and Technology sponsored by University of Dundee (RIS)
Winner – Convergix Automation Solutions
- Ronnie McGill, vice president design and projects, said: “This is a testimony to the staff. Lately, we think it’s important to take a step back and share what we do with the local community and people that work with us. We’re looking for more staff so we’re keen to show people what we can do and what they could be employed doing as part of this global business. We are using the awards and this platform to try and attract staff as well.”
Legal and Property sponsored by Utili-Tay
Winner – Blackadders
- Emma Gray, joint managing partner, said: “For us this award recognises the growth and change within the business in the last year. We’ve rebranded, we’ve heavily invested in our people, our premises and our offering. We are harnessing technology to offer our services in a different way. It’s really positive.”
Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality sponsored by Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce
Winner – Carnoustie Golf Links
- Leigh O’Connor, commercial manager, said: “It was an unexpected win. It’s nice recognition for the organisation and recognition for us to validate what we’re doing within the business and local community as well. Business is good and we are very buoyant.”
Service sponsored by GS Group
Winner – The ESP Group
- Chief executive and owner Theresa Lawson said: “It’s always an honour and great fun to be here. To take home a win makes it all worthwhile. Business has been very successful and we have some exciting things in the pipeline. The growth trajectory is looking good.”
Small Business sponsored by Gilson Gray
Winner – Spaces Taylored
- Adam Taylor Spaces Taylored managing director, said: “I’m blown away and gobsmacked. The competition was very good and I never expected this. To be recognised for this award is amazing. Small business is a toughly fought accolade and I’m extremely proud. It’s been a tough year but we are doing well. We have won a few big contracts and grown as a team.”
Transition to Net Zero sponsored by Forth Ports
Winner – Montrose Port Authority
- Tom Hutchison, Montrose Port Authority chief executive, said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Like the wee boy that we all grew up with, I’m thinking jings, crivvens and help ma boab to be fair. The awards are brilliant, I’ve never been before. I think it’s been absolutely fantastic. It’s the best atmosphere I’ve felt at one of these events. We’ll be back next year, that’s for sure.”
Young Business sponsored by NCR Atleos
Winner – CalForth Construction
- Gus Laing, operations manager, said: “This is our first year being nominated so it was quite a shock. I genuinely didn’t think it would happen. The two other nominees, particularly Street Soccer Scotland, I admire. It’s amazing to be recognised on this level. We are a bunch of blokes trying to do the best we can to run a business. It’s huge to be involved in the event.”
Business of the Year sponsored by Henderson Loggie
Winner – Montrose Port Authority
- Tom Hutchison, Montrose Port Authority chief executive was thrilled to pick up the second win of the night for the business. He said: “It feels absolutely fantastic. We are totally privileged. It’s all down to the team. I’ve got a fantastic team, a bunch of people who don’t realise how good they really are. Hopefully this award will demonstrate that we’re going in the right direction. We work hard but we play hard. I go to work every day with my best pals, it’s just a happy place to be. We have a massive amount of ambition. It’s hard to say where we’ll end up, but we will make Montrose and Angus and the east coast of Scotland proud.”
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