Lochaber businesses triumph at SCDI Awards

Two Lochaber businesses came up trumps at the 23rd Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards, held in Inverness on September 14.

 

Alasdair Ferguson, group managing director at Ferguson Transport and Shipping, which is based in Corpach, won the top individual prize as he took home the outstanding business leader award.

 

It was a field well represented by the West Coast, with Anne Gracie Gunn of Skye’s The Sonas Collection and Michael Morrison from Isle of Barra Distillers among the four finalists.

 

Alasdair told the Lochaber Times: “I am absolutely delighted to win this award; it is great recognition to not only myself but the whole Ferguson Transport and Shipping Team.

 

“It is a real testament to how hard we as a company and team have worked to achieve what we have to date and how far we have come over the years as a business, which is now very diverse and trading in a number of sectors.

 

“It is one thing to be an outstanding business leader but this is only possible with having an outstanding team round about me.”

 

More Lochaber success arrived when Fort William’s Alvance British Aluminium scooped the Natural Capital, Climate Change and Sustainable Communities prize.

 

Tom Uppington, managing director at Alvance, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this prestigious award.

 

“It’s not just a celebration of our natural capital initiatives, but also a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible team at both the smelter and our sister company Jahama Highland Estates, as well as successful collaborations we’ve had with stakeholders.

 

“Together, we have demonstrated the importance of collaboration when facing the challenges of climate change.”

 

He also congratulated Mr Ferguson and said that he believed that together the companies would continue to make a positive impact for Lochaber and beyond.

 

As Lochaber celebrated, businesses from the Hebrides also had a successful night. The Sonas Collection made up for missing on the individual award by being victorious in the customer service, care and experience category.

 

Meanwhile Atlantic 58, based on the Isle of Lewis, was named Outstanding Island Business, and Isle of Harris Distillers picked up the Outstanding Contribution to the Regional Economy trophy.

 

Nearly 300 finalists, local businesses and SCDI members attended the awards ceremony, which was held at the Kingsmills Hotel. The evening was hosted by STV reporter Nicola McAlley and included a performance from comedian Susie McCabe.

 

Grant Campbell, SCDI’s regional manager for the Highlands and Islands, congratulated those recognised with awards.

 

“The winners really do showcase the diverse nature of businesses in the Highlands and Islands and their contribution to Scotland’s economy.

 

“The judging panel was really impressed to hear about the work of the nominees and the positive impact that businesses are having on in the region,” he said.