The very best businesses in West Lothian with a flair and passion for innovation, ingenuity and entrepreneurship have been applauded at this year’s West Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence.
Over 170 guests attended a gala dinner awards ceremony, sponsored by The Glenmorangie Co, at MacDonald Houston House Hotel, Uphall on the 24th November to see this year’s winners receive their awards.
Spring Solutions picked up the prestigious Best Business Award, sponsored by West Lothian Chamber recognises a local business which has demonstrated true business excellence. Spring Solutions was established to serve the aerospace and defence sectors which demand high quality standard and accreditations to win contracts. A strategy which has allowed significant continuous growth. The business has embodied the environmental agenda whilst bringing professional solutions to a rapidly advancing market.
The Innovation and Resilience Award sponsored by West Lothian Business Gateway recognises resilience in response to business disruptions, overcoming challenges to thrive. The award was presented to Livingston based Valneva Scotland whose scale business achievements to date are compelling, both the decade of investment in West Lothian and the innovation-led work of the pandemic. Their commitment to staff welfare, training and development was also a differentiator and their on-going support for and integration within communities across West Lothian made theirs the stand-out application.
Greig Rooney, Managing Director, Valneva Scotland Ltd, said: “The Innovation and Resilience award is for our staff and reflects not only the commitment they have to the highly skilled work they do but also the dedication they have to advancing vaccines for better lives. Valneva Scotland has been on quite a journey over the past few years, and we’ve come through it much stronger and prepared for an exciting future. We look forward to continuing to contribute with our peers in the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce in 2024 and, more widely, playing a key role as part of Scotland’s vibrant and burgeoning life sciences sector.”
Recycle Scotland was named Environmental Champion, an award sponsored by Shin-Etsu Handotai Europe to recognise companies that have made changes to have a positive impact on the environment.
On winning the award Drew Carmichael, Director of Recycle Scotland commented “Since our inception, we have remained committed to creating a zero waste and circular approach to workplace furniture. Therefore, we are very proud to receive the Environmental Champion Award. It is not only a testament to the hard work of our team to get the business to where it is today, but it is also evidence that we are on the right track and making a positive impact. We look forward to working with more sectors and regions across Scotland to further drive our sustainability mission.”
The Developing the Young Workforce Regional Employer Award sponsored by DYW-West Lothian Regional Group, recognises an employer who has demonstrated commitment to inspiring and developing young people in West Lothian.
This year, the award went to Land Technology whose commitment to supporting young people learn new hands-on skills and become more engaged has been applauded by the judges. In particular their work with local additional needs schools and how the organisation is trying to scale up the impact by working with teachers.
The Shona Sibbald Woman in Business Award, which recognises the outstanding contribution to the local economy made by a businesswoman, went to Diana Kelly, Specsavers.
Since opening a store in Linlithgow her leadership and commitment has seen continuous growth in turnover and prides herself in providing an environment for her team to flourish. She also has a passion for encouraging young people into sport and has strong links with many local causes.
The Chamber Lifetime in Business Excellence Award was presented to David Sibbald, Director of family business the Sibbald Group who are celebrating 50 years in business. David has navigated through turbulent times, adapted to ever-changing market needs, and continued to thrive amidst uncertainty, showing true resilience.
He has long been a champion of youth engagement within the construction sector has been awarded an MBE for his long-term commitment to business and charities in West Lothian, with particular focus on his work with young people in the local community.
Commenting on the 2023 awards Billy MacLeod, President, West Lothian Chamber, said. “The Chamber congratulates all the winners and I also extend my thanks to every company who entered this year’s awards.
Each year our West Lothian businesses show that through hard work, resilience and innovation it is possible to achieve remarkable growth and prosperity, this is reflected in the high calibre of entrants we saw this year.”
Guest speaker Colin Maclachlan co-Founder Who Dares Cares and ex SAS operative entertained guests with stories of his experiences, the prize draw held on the night raised over raise over £2200 for the charity.
MP Hannah Bardell closed the evening praising all the winners and finalists showcasing West Lothian and thanking all our sponsors including main sponsor The Glenmorangie Company
Full details of the event at wlchamber.com
