Ross-shire award winners take a bow as Federation of Small Businesses success stories recognised by First Minister at reception
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First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has congratulated the Scotland winners – Highlanders amongst them – of the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) Celebrating Small Business Awards at a private reception in her official Edinburgh residence, Bute House.
The event recognised winners from both 2022 and the previous year, the latter having missed out on any sort of recognition event due to Covid.
Those in attendance included both this year’s and last year’s overall FSB UK Small Businesses of the Year – Jimmy Buchan from Amity Fish in Peterhead and James and Calum McPherson Young from Woodlands Glencoe in Ballachulish respectively.
The First Minister also welcomed:
- Karen Simpson of My Primary Tutor in Inverness, winner of last year’s FSB Scotland Self-employed Award
- Gordon and Kay Pearson of WOW Scotland Tours, based in Tomatin – winners of last year’s FSB Scotland Micro Business of the Year Award
- Cory Jones and Mandy Rush of the Gairloch Kayak Centre/Highland Experiences in Gairloch, winners of the 2022 FSB Scotland Micro Business of the Year Award
In addition, while based in Glasgow, Shetlander Brian Inkster of Inkster’s Solicitors – offices throughout the Highlands & Islands – was present as winner of the 2022 FSB Scotland Self-employed Award
FSB’s UK chair, Martin McTague, said:“It was a great honour to receive such a warm welcome from the First Minister at her official residence. Our Celebrating Small Business Awards showcase the best of the small business community across the country, and in these difficult times it’s more important than ever that they know we’ve got their back.
“We welcomed businesses from every part of Scotland – from the urban bustle of the cities to the rural splendour of the Highlands – and in every sector, from manufacturing, e-commerce, education, tourism, retail and more. They are hugely diverse but they have one thing in common – they’ve come through several exceptionally difficult years and are still delivering for their customers.
“If this is what they can do in the teeth of a pandemic and cost-of-doing-business crisis, just imagine what they’ll be doing when more favourable trading conditions return. The sky will be the limit.”
Nominations for the 2023 FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards are open from now until January 19, 2023. Entry is free and the Scottish finals will be held in Glasgow on March 8, 2023.
The FSB is encouraging as many Highlands & Islands businesses as possible to apply.
David Richardson said: “The owners of small businesses are all extremely busy adapting to the rapidly changing world around them and many say that they spend their time chasing their tails. The FSB Awards provide an opportunity for stressed people to take a minute or two out: to sit back and take stock, reviewing the past to help them guide their futures."
He added: “And in case anyone thinks that businesses in the Highlands and islands don’t stand a chance, it’s worth noting that of the four overall FSB UK Small Businesses of the Year since our Awards began, two have come from the Highlands (Woodlands Glencoe and Cruise Loch Ness) and one from north-east of Scotland (Amity Fish). Coincidence? I think not!”
Ross-shire business story or picture to share with us? Get in touch by emailing hector.mackenzie@hnmedia.co.uk
