A company which started from a converted country house in Angus and grew to be one of the leading care groups in Scotland is our Business of the Year.
Balhousie Care Group won the top award at the Courier Business Awards 2022, held in association with Henderson Loggie, in Dundee on Saturday night.
More than 600 guests attended the black tie event, which was hosted by comedian Ed Byrne.
Balhousie was founded more than 30 years ago and since then the company has grown to operate 26 homes.
Based in Perth, it has consistently tried to raise the standards of the sector and now employs around 1,500.
The judging panel was particularly impressed at the strong leadership shown shortly after Covid-19 reached our shores.
It took the difficult decision to shut its care homes’ doors to friends and family. This undoubtedly saved lives.
Earlier in the evening Balhousie also won the Resilience and Recovery award, while founder Tony Banks won the Business Leader prize.
Courier Business Awards 2022 winners
There were 19 Courier Business Awards trophies presented at the Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee.
The first award of the night, for Community, went to Dundee Bairns, which has provided thousands of meals to Dundee families.
Carnoustie Golf Links won the Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality category and multi-generation family businesses Gillies, Kerr’s Dairy and Fisher & Donaldson were all recognised.
A new award for the Transition to Net Zero was won by Forth Ports, which has invested more than £40 million to prepare the Port of Dundee for renewables work.
Other winners included Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, Clootie McToot Dumplings and Broker Insights.
Courier Business Awards 2022 coverage
Outstanding contribution award
The final award of the night, for Outstanding Contribution, was awarded to Stagecoach co-founders Dame Ann Gloag and Sir Brian Souter.
More than 40 years ago their father’s redundancy payment allowed them to buy two second hand buses.
They provided the first coach services running between Scotland and London.
The Perth company expanded rapidly in the UK, started providing services overseas and operating the UK’s first privatised train service.
Stagecoach was fully acquired by private equity firm DWS Infrastructure this year for £595 million.
The judging panel also highlighted the significant donations to charity Sir Brian and Dame Ann have made.
Collecting the award, Sir Brian said: “It’s been an amazing journey. We’ve had some great breaks and opportunities..
“The Courier Business Awards highlight the importance of family businesses, which creates most of the employment in this country.
“I want to wish all the winners here all the success for the future.”
CBA winners ‘determined and resilient’
The awards featured a three-course meal and musical entertainment into the early hours.
Guests donated more than £6,000 to Business Beats Cancer Dundee.
The Courier editor David Clegg praised the resilience and determination of local businesses to continue to prosper.
He said: “We all know these are uncertain economic times.
“However, the Courier Business Awards is a great demonstration of the resilience and innovation of the region’s great business community.”
David Smith, managing partner at Henderson Loggie, added: “I have been incredibly encouraged to see businesses thriving across Tayside and Fife, demonstrating their ambitions, throughout what continues to be a challenging time.
“Huge congratulations to all of the very deserving winners! Keep up the fantastic work.”
