Around 700 business people and their guests attended the glittering Glasgow Business Awards 2016, organised by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Bank of Scotland, at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. The award ceremony, with 16 categories all recognising the excellence of business in the city, was hosted by popular Scottish entertainer Fred MacAulay.
In opening the proceedings, Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, told the audience that Glasgow has dramatically transformed itself over the last 25 years. He said this would not have been possible without a “dynamic, creative and inventive business community.”
He said Scotland’s challenges would be met with ‘great commitment, great courage and great innovation’ and Glasgow, named as the Entrepreneurial Region of the Year, still had the fastest growing economy in any British city outside of London.”
He also commended the work that the Chamber has done with the City over a number of years. The audience was officially welcomed by Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, who thanked the Leader of the Council, and said the Chamber was delighted to be celebrating business success in Glasgow along with partners from government, business and academia.
“The Chamber warmly welcomes the leadership that the City Council provides in encouraging business growth. We look forward to supporting the City’s excellent work through the likes of the Glasgow Economic Leadership, the City Centre Strategy Board, and the Invest Glasgow Team, who are taking the message out to investors that Scotland’s largest city should be on their shortlist.”
Neil Amner, President of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, gave a brief outline of the Chamber’s response to Brexit and reminded the audience that the Chamber’s duty was to “support, strengthen and grow our international connections.” He spoke about the Memoranda of Understanding with Manhattan and Milan and how these will be expanded over the coming year. He said he looked forward to the publication of Glasgow’s new economic strategy, which involved the Chamber and the City Council, and the delivery of the City Deal which will deliver significant investment in Glasgow. Craig Pollock, Area Director for SMEs Scotland for Bank of Scotland, said he was pleased his bank was supporting many Glasgow businesses and remained open for the thousands of SMEs in the city.
Guest speaker, Dr Lena C Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, told the audience that she was a proud Glaswegian.
“I’ve been really fortunate to have an international career for over 30 years and a huge part of my own personal brand is that I’m from Glasgow. I’ve learned that my voice, accent and upbringing are natural assets and create a real warmth in relationships.”
Winners
Bank of Scotland Award for Most Outstanding Business
Winner: Glasgow Airport Ltd
Glasgow Business Award for Best Performing Business (1-10 employees)
Sponsored by: Glasgow City Council
Winner: Synergie Environ Ltd
Glasgow Business Award for Best Performing Business (11-50 employees)
Sponsored by: Invest Glasgow
Winner: EVM
Glasgow Business Award for Best Performing Business (51 employees or over)
Sponsored by: Glasgow School for Business and Society, Glasgow Caledonian University
Winner: Glasgow Airport Ltd
Glasgow Business Award for Sustainable Development
Sponsored by: Scottish Water
Winner: St. Enoch Centre
Glasgow Business Award for Green Champion
Sponsored by: ScottishPower
Winner: Revive Eco
Glasgow Business Award for Young Business Person of the Year
Sponsored by: City of Glasgow College
Winner: Craig Chambers, TBR Global Ltd
Glasgow Business Award for Innovation in Youth Employment
Sponsored by: Developing the Young Workforce Glasgow working in partnership with Glasgow City Council
Winner: NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Glasgow Business Award for Family Business of the Year
Sponsored by: City Building LLP
Winner: McGhee Group Limited
Glasgow Business Award for Excellence in Communications
Sponsored by: Connect
Winner: Golden Charter Ltd
Glasgow Business Award for Innovation in Business
Sponsored by: MadeBrave®
Winner: Clyde Space
Glasgow Business Award for Creative Marketing
Winner: Barrhead Travel
Glasgow Business Award for Excellence in Customer Service
Winner: Glasgow Airport Ltd
Glasgow Business Award for People Development
Winner: City Building LLP
Evening Times Award for Glasgow’s Favourite Business
Winner: Mono
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Award for Lifetime Achievement
Winner: Jonathan Muirhead OBE
