Phenomenal range of north businesses represented at the 2021 HIghland Business Awards
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BUSINESSES across the Highlands and Islands have given an enthusiastic response to calls for this year’s Highland Business Awards.
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, which organises the awards event in association with Highland News and Media, said he had been hugely heartened by the range and scale of the 75 entries received from across the Highlands and Islands this year.
“Almost all sectors were represented,” he said.
“We have everything from sole traders to multinationals, which is phenomenal.
“It is fantastic to see the number and quality of entries as we look to come out of this global pandemic.”
This inevitably made it a challenge to select the shortlist.
“Resilience was the biggest category and each and every one of the stories we heard is impressive,” Mr Nicol added.
Also impressive was the way in which north businesses had responded to the suspension of normal trading conditions.
“We have come across businesses which have
pivoted from face-to-face
to online and are now
doing business across
the globe. It is all hugely, hugely positive,” Mr Nicol said.
Fittingly for an awards event which takes place in the same month that Scotland hosts the COP26 United Nations climate change summit, sustainability has also been high on the entrants agenda.
“The response to the environmental sustainability category was phenomenal for me,” Mr Nicol said.
“Every single entry showed remarkable commitment to the environment and the challenges we are facing. That was one category I was particularly impressed with.”
Also very positive was the response to the young employee category.
Mr Nicol commented: “Our business future is secure when you look at the young men and women who are nominated.”
The 2021 Highland Business Awards will take place from noon on Thursday, November 25, at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, but can also be viewed live online.
For information on how to book in person or virtual audience tickets, please visit www.inverness-chamber.co.uk/events/event/
highland-business-awards-
2021
The 2021 Highland Business Awards shortlist:
Innovation: Dunnet Bay Distillers; HighNet and BrawBand; Norscot Joinery.
Resilience: Ashley Ann; D&E Coaches; MacGregor’s Bar; Ness Walk Hotel.
Environmental Sustain-ability: Dunnet Bay Distillers; LifeScan Scotland; North Point Distillery.
Digital Transformation: Cheryl Heggie School of Dance; Ironworks; My Primary Tutor.
Employee Wellbeing: Muckle Media; Springfield Properties; Wilderness Scotland.
Workforce Upskilling: Behind the Scenes VA; HighNet and BrawBand; Ironworks.
Employer of the Year: Dunnet Bay Distillers; Inverness Kart Raceway; Muckle Media.
Young Employee of the Year: Scott Campbell – D & E Coaches; Niamh Clark – Parklands Care Homes; Sarah Meiklejohn – Reids Bakery (Thurso).
Best Local Hero: Caroline Campbell – Ironworks; Peter Doherty – Inverness Kart Raceway;Craig Ewan – Kingsmills Hotel Group.
