Hat-trick for Hydro
Business of the year
There were celebrations as Crieff Hydro Hotel lifted Perthshire’s premier business award at the weekend.
The fifth-generation family business was crowned Perthshire Chamber of Commerce business of the year at a glittering Star Awards ceremony, hosted at the renowned Strath resort on Friday.
Crieff Hydro general manager Kristian Campbell and his staff also celebrated winning both the excellence in customer service and the excellence in tourism and hospitality category awards before going on to claim the coveted overall trophy.
A sell-out audience of over 400 heard how Crieff Hydro captured the judges’ vote for its “continuous investment, development and innovation plus a proven commitment to their staff and customers” in every aspect of its business.
Mr Campbell revealed the highlight for him was the boost it would give to his delighted staff.
He added: “To be announced as Perthshire Business of the Year 2019 was very humbling. We’re absolutely thrilled. It means a lot to every one of us.
“We are a very hard-working and passionate company and this hat-trick emphasises that we’re doing the right things well and we can all celebrate this great success together.
“We work hard to create and foster an inclusive culture and internal leadership and have many entrepreneurs bringing ideas to the table to shape and achieve our vision.
“It is a considerable accolade to achieve recognition from such a crosssection of respected business leaders.
“To be acknowledged in front of our local business community and promoted to so many existing and potential customers, suppliers and employees is a special aspect that the Perthshire Chamber’s Business Star Awards provide,” he said.
Chamber chief executive Vicki Unite described the winner as exemplary in both the tourism and leisure sectors.
She praised the 600-strong workforce for the company’s impressive growth and innovation.
Ms Unite said: “Crieff Hydro impressed our judges across the board, showing a commitment to their staff, customers and many suppliers.
“This is an extremely competitive sector and their constant investment and development, fuelled by creative vision and drive for success, keeps this much-loved, valued and respected holiday destination to the fore, with wide reaching economic benefits.
“The business demonstrates top- notch customer service, with customer feedback being used to directly influence investment and refurbishment strategies in a bid to meet and exceed customer expectations and ensure sustainability.
“We are truly lucky to have such an impressive business in Perthshire.”
Crieff Hydro has been the home of the chamber’s annual dinner and awards – which was this year hosted by Scottish broadcaster Stephen Jardine – for over a decade.
Allan MacGregor, chief executive of Binn Group – the event’s main sponsor – said this year’s bash had proved “an outstanding celebration of business excellence”.
He continued: “The Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Awards repeatedly delivers a tremendous celebration of the vibrant business community in this area and this was the best yet.
“It’s wonderful to be able to give them a platform on which to shine and to showcase the amazing quality of businesses based here.
“The most amazing thing is the amount of genuine goodwill and delight for those who have sponsored, reached the finals and won.
“It really is a uniquely supportive atmosphere and Binn Group loves being a part of it.”