COMPANIES from across the country have made the shortlist for The Herald's inaugural Scottish Family Business Awards.

Nominated in the large business category are Paisley-based contract cleaning and facilities management firm Spectrum Service Solutions and Edinburgh's Apex Hotels.

The small and medium category has four nominees: Kelso retailer A Hume (Outfitters); Anderson Maguire Funeral Directors; the Ardardan Estate and farm shop in Dunbartonshire; and education specialist TeeJay Publishers.

A Hume (Outfitters) and Spectrum are also in contention for fastest-growing family business along with Glasgow maintenance and installation firm Gas Call Services.

Glasgow-based TeeJay Publishers scored its second nomination in the innovation section alongside Shearer Candles and laminated material manufacturer Rearo.

The rural family business award is being fought out between Arran hotel operator Auchrannie Leisure, Lanark landscaping firm GP Plantscape, Lochgilphead housebuilder M&K Macleod and Fife-based self-catering holiday cottage company Morton of Pitmilly.

Ardardan Estate, Auchrannie Leisure, Morton of Pitmilly and GP Plantscape are all also nominated for the customer service excellence award.

The commitment to the community category gives Ardardan Estate its third nomination alongside the Chippendale International School of Furniture in East Lothian and Coatbridge's Patersons Quarries.

The professional services category for leading adviser to family businesses has law firms Harper Macleod and Macdonald Henderson vying for the title.

A special chairman's award for contribution to the family business sector and a prize for international growth are to be presented at the event on December 4 at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow.

The judging panel was made up of Tom Craig, chairman of Craig Corporate, Hugh Lightbody, chief officer at Business Gateway, Danny Bulloch, a Glasgow-based area director of business banking at Royal Bank of Scotland, plus The Herald's business editor Ian McConnell and group business correspondent Mark Williamson.

Mr McConnell, who chaired the panel, said: "We had the pleasure of reviewing and debating an impressive collection of entries from companies operating in a raft of different sectors, with interesting stories to tell.

"The process highlighted the diversity of the Scottish family business sector, as well as its importance to communities and to the broader economy."

Mr Lightbody said: "Economic conditions may still be challenging but judging from the entries to the inaugural Herald Family Business Awards, there are a number of very impressive businesses in Scotland that are not just surviving but growing.

"The shortlisted companies have achieved significant results in a wide range of industries and I would like to congratulate them all in reaching this stage of the awards programme."

The event is run in association with Business Gateway and supported by the Scottish Family Business Association, RBS, Craig Corporate and the Grand Central Hotel.

For further information about tickets and the event please contact Alison Martin on 0141 302 7410 or email: alison.martin@heraldandtimes.co.uk