Glittering night shines a light on local excellence

Hundreds of business people throughout Perthshire came together to celebrate innovation and success at this year’s prestigious Business Star Awards.

Perthshire Chamber’s glittering ‘Back for the Future’ awards was back with a bang at Crieff Hydro – after cancellation last year because of Covid-19 – on Friday, November 19.

St Johnstone and local hospitality and catering legend Ian Gibb were among the winners on the night, picking up outstanding achievement awards.

Hosted by broadcaster and journalist Stephen Jardine, and with an upbeat address from Deputy First Minister John Swinney, the evening saw 11 awards handed out.

And it also saw a change at the top of the Chamber with outgoing president, local hotelier Stephen Leckie, handing over the reins to new president, Perth businesswoman Lori McGaffney.

Perthshire Chamber chief executive Vicki Unite said: “It was so good to be able to host our Business Star Awards again after such a difficult time for everyone and I am delighted that the event was a great success.

“I am very grateful for the support of all our sponsors and supporters, and all those who entered the awards and bought tickets, plus our stellar team who made it all happen on the night.

“It was a terrific night and the atmosphere was amazing. People came to celebrate, congratulate and support each other.

“There was a clear message of support and love from our local businesses through the trusted chamber network.

“It was a privilege to be able to highlight so many amazing local businesses and individuals and promote them through our platforms, which will continue well into 2022 and beyond.”

The main sponsor of the awards was Perthshire business

Binn Group – Scotland’s largest independent and leading provider of integrated recycling and waste management services.

And Stagecoach sponsored the bus to take guests to and from the event.

Ensuring the night was such a success were Background Support, Caithness Glass, Crieff Hydro, Danscot, DeLorean Hire, Flonix, Groove Culture, Instant Image, Johnston Media, Milestone Media, Perthshire Picture Agency, Perthshire Sound and Light, Stagecoach Group and Wee Wraith.

And the winners on the night were:

Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by Castle Water and Perth College UHI - Brandon Mills from Club 300 Perth. Highly Commended - Eva Hall from Eva Lucia.

Most Promising New Business, sponsored by Business Gateway/Elevator and Johnston Carmichael - Re Nu Bathrooms.

Best Covid Response and Reinvention Award, sponsored by Background Support and Perthshire Advertiser - Horsecross Arts. Highly Commended - Graham Hygiene Services.

Best Use of Social Media, sponsored by Flonix and Wee Wraith - Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.

Outstanding Young Business Person, sponsored by Blackadders and Invest In Perth - Hollie Irvine of Highbeat Digital. Highly Commended -

Hasan Mohammed of Zayn’s Fast Food.

Excellence in Customer Service Award, sponsored by Blackhills Specialist Dental Clinic and OCO/Starbucks Perth - Castle Water (large business); Club 300 Perth (small business).

Community Hero (group), sponsored by ACS Aviation and EvaLucia - Feldy-Roo.

Community Hero (individual) - Katie McCandless-Thomas of Missing Pets, Perth and Kinross.

Outstanding Achievement (group) - St Johnstone Football Club.

Outstanding Achievement (individual) Ian Gibb.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Perthshire Chamber can contact them on 01738 448325, email info@ perthshirechamber. co. uk or see the website www. perthshirechamber.co.uk.

Full details and more pictures from the event can be seen at www.businessstarawards.com.

Night to remember The glittering awards ceremony was back with a bang at Crieff Hydro. Photos: PPA

Sinking in Most Promising New Business, sponsored by Business Gateway/Elevator and Johnston Carmichael, was Re Nu Bathrooms. Fiona McLellen of Business Gateway/ Elevator is pictured left with Niall Loughland and Craig Smith of Re Nu Bathrooms and Ryan Diplexcito of Johnston Carmichael

Internet sensation Best Use of Social Media, sponsored by Flonix and Wee Wraith, went to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA). Nick Harvey of SCAA, pictured centre, was on hand to pick up the award

Talented Outstanding Young Business Person, sponsored by Blackadders and Invest In Perth, was Hollie Irvine of Highbeat Digital. David Littlejohn of Invest In Perth, left, is pictured with Hollie and Simon Allison of Blackadders

Rising star The Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by Castle Water and Perth College UHI, went to Brandon Mills of Club 300 Perth. Dr Margaret Cook of Perth College UHI is pictured with Brandon and David Bain of Castle Water

Well done The Excellence in Customer Service Award winner was Castle Water. Trudie Imrie of Blackhills Specialist Dental Clinic is pictured with Mary Reynolds of Castle Water and JJ O’Hara of OCO/Starbucks Perth

Hard work The best Covid Response and Reinvention Award was presented to Horsecross Arts. Keith Scobbie of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce is pictured with Nick Williams of Horsecross Arts

Seeing double Outstanding Achievement (Group) went to St Johnstone FC. Manager Callum Davidson and chairman Steve Brown are pictured with with Brian Harkins of main sponsor Binn Group

Fit for purpose The Excellence in Customer Service Award (Small Business) winner was Club 300 Perth. Mike Lindsay collected the award

Paw-fect Community Hero (Individual) winner Katie McCandless-Thomas receives her award from Stephen Leckie and Brian Harkins

Triumph Graham Hygiene Services was highly commended in the Best Covid Response and Reinvention Award category. Phil McKenna is pictured

Success The highly commended Apprentice of the Year Award went to Eva Hall of Eva Lucia

Deserved Outstanding Achievement (Individual) winner Ian Gibb, pictured with Brian Harkins

Local heroes Community Hero Award (group) winner Feldy-Roo