SCOTLAND’S top family firms were celebrated last night at The Herald’s Scottish Family Business Awards in association with Business Gateway.
The event saw the likes of Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group, Anderson Maguire Funeral Directors and Robert Graham and Graham’s the Family Dairy take home awards.
The event was hosted by Sanjeev Kohli and attended by over 320 guests who gathered at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow to hear keynote speaker Jeanette Forbes from the PCL Group and find out who had won.
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Hugh Lightbody, from Business Gateway National Unit, said “Well done to the winners and finalists. Every entry made the judging process extremely difficult but illustrated the high standards that many businesses in Scotland’s SME community operate to every day.”
The Outstanding Contribution Award, supported by Strathclyde Business School, was won by Dr Robert Graham and Graham’s Family Dairy, for the valuable contribution he has made to the family business sector in Scotland.
Dr John Anderson, Strathclyde Business School, said: “It was a great pleasure to have presented the award for outstanding contribution to Dr Robert Graham.”
The Scottish Family Business of the Year (Small/Medium) accolade, supported by Clydesdale Bank, went to Anderson Maguire Funeral Directors.
Brian Colquhoun, Clydesdale Bank said: “Congratulations to all those who were nominated and of course all of the winners.”
The Scottish Family Business of the Year (Large), supported by Craig Corporate, went to DRG – Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group.
Tom Craig, from Craig Corporate, said: “DRG emerged as worthy winners. The awards are a fantastic way to celebrate the importance of family businesses in Scotland.”
Business Gateway supported the Fastest Growing Family Business Award, which was awarded to Campbell & Kennedy.
The Business Innovation award, supported by Campbell Dallas, was presented to Douglas Laing & Co for its use of branding and marketing.
Fraser Campbell from Campbell Dallas, said, “Once again the winners and finalists demonstrated their ability to embrace innovation, strategic thinking, re-invention and continuous development.”
This year the International Growth Award, supported by Burness Paull, was awarded to RP Adam (Arpal Group) which employs more than 100 people in the UK and Middle East.
Grant Stevenson, from Burness Paull, said: “This category recognises the enviable position Scottish firms have in the global marketplace.”
The Customer Service Excellence Award, supported by TL Dallas, was scooped by Scotlight Group for impressive customer satisfaction.
Bernard Dunn, from TL Dallas, Glasgow, said: “What a night to celebrate family businesses, large and small. We are delighted to be part of it.”
The Green Family Business of the Year, new for 2016, was given to Elan Hair Design.
Robin Stevenson, of sponsor The William Tracey Group, said: “It has been a privilege to celebrate the outstanding successes of local business which make a significant contribution to the wider economy.”
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The awards also celebrate family businesses that play vital roles in rural communities. This year the Rural Family Business Award (Small/Medium) supported by Supplier Development Programme went to two businesses Hutton Stone Co. Ltd and Scotlight Group.
The Rural Family Business (Large) was handed to Gleaner Oils, judges being impressed with their staff of 190 and the support they provide for their employees. Gillian Cameron, Supplier Development Group said: “We are delighted to have been involved in this year’s awards and congratulate all the winners.”
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