The winners of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2023, sponsored by Business Gateway – Ayrshire, were unveiled, showcasing the excellence of businesses across Ayrshire. A turnout of more than 460 attendees gathered at Ayr Racecourse on the evening of Friday 6th October.
During the ceremony, a total of 16 awards were presented, honouring exceptional businesses and individuals.
The Active Travel at Work Award, sponsored by the Ayrshire Roads Alliance, which was awarded to Enlighten Training for their dedication to promoting active commuting.
The Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), was awarded to the exceptional contributions of Ellie Bonner from Arran Community & Voluntary Service, acknowledging her as a rising star in the field.
Acknowledging businesses with up to 10 employees, the Ayrshire’s Growth Business of the Year Award (0-10 employees), sponsored by Woodward Inc., recognised the remarkable progress of Cogeo Planning & Environmental Services Ltd as they continue to thrive and expand.
For businesses with 11 to 50 employees, the Ayrshire’s Growth Business of the Year Award (11-50 employees) sponsorship from Business Gateway, celebrated Cadence BPO’s achievements and growth in this competitive category.
In the category of Ayrshire’s Growth Business of the Year for businesses with 51 employees or more, the University of the West of Scotland proudly sponsored the award, which was presented to James Frew Ltd, emphasising their significant impact and growth in the region.
The Charity of the Year Award, sponsored by Regency Facilities Management, highlighted the profound and lasting impact of Cash for Kids in their charitable efforts and support for the local communities in Ayrshire.
The Community Award, sponsored by Hub South West, recognised Shire Housing Association Ltd for their commitment to community development and improvement, showcasing their positive influence.
Elizabeth Wallace Bridal was awarded with the Community Wealth Building Award, supported by East, North, and South Ayrshire Councils through the Ayrshire Growth Deal, underlining their crucial role in fostering regional economic growth and prosperity.
The Developing Ayrshire’s Young Workforce Award, sponsored by Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd, celebrated James Frew Ltd once again, demonstrating their dedication to empowering the future workforce and driving educational and vocational growth.
The Driving Sustainability Award, sponsored of HALO, acknowledged the efforts of Craufurdland Ltd in promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship within their business.
Jamie Burns from Ailsa Reliability Solutions Ltd was the deserving winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, generously sponsored by William Duncan Accountants, recognising his innovation and leadership in the business community.
For the Going Global – International Trade Business of the Year, Lochlea Distillery was celebrated as an exemplary model of international trade, proudly sponsored by Neogen.
The Hospitality Business of the Year Award, sponsored by People Puzzles, was awarded to SimpsInns, commending their commitment to excellence in the hospitality industry.
The Start-up Business of the Year Award, sponsored by A&L Mechanical Installations, was presented to ReUse Golf Balls, celebrating their impressive journey as a startup business during lockdown.
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere was the proud winner of the Tourism Award, sponsored by Stagecoach, acknowledging their significant contribution to promoting the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
The Workplace Health and Wellbeing Award, supported by Lighthouse IT Networks, recognised the exemplary commitment of Buzzworks Holdings to the health and well-being of their employees, emphasising their dedication to creating a healthy and thriving workplace environment.
Ayrshire Chamber was delighted to have the talented magician and presenter, Ben Hanlin, as their host for the evening, adding a touch of magic to the event. His engaging presence truly made the evening unforgettable.
A charity raffle on the night raised a fantastic £4975 for The Honeypot Children’s Charity, thanks to the generosity of attendees.
Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce CEO, Claire Baird said: “Congratulations go to the winners and finalists.
“It was fantastic to celebrate the successes and achievements of Ayrshire’s business community despite the hugely challenging circumstances being faced.
“Thank you to Business Gateway, our Principal sponsor, to each of our category sponsors, and to other sponsors whose support make the night the possible. “
Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the 2023 Awards Principal Sponsor Business Gateway Ayrshire and all Category Sponsors A&L Mechanical Installations Ltd, Ayrshire Growth Deal, Ayrshire Roads Alliance, Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd, Business Gateway, Community Wealth Building, East Ayrshire Council, GSK, HALO #RockMe, hub South West Scotland, Lighthouse It & Network Solutions, Neogen, North Ayrshire Council, People Puzzles Ltd, Regency Facilities Management, South Ayrshire Council Live, Stagecoach, University of the West of Scotland, William Duncan Accountants and Woodward, Inc.
The team would also like to express their gratitude to the valued sponsors for the Ayrshire Business Awards 2023: AdWorks for their exceptional work on the Awards Booklet design, Brown Brothers for their support as the Print Sponsor, RCO Furniture for sponsoring the Trophies, Loch Lomond Group for providing the Table Gifts, and Ayr Racecourse for hosting the event.
Relive the evening by watching the ABA23 highlights video
