This year went off with a bang; we can’t put our finger on the extra sprinkling of magic in the room of more than 400 guests. It was likely due to the high calibre of finalists because of the standard of entrants being at an awe-inspiring level.
It’s clear to see that our local business community in Aberdeen City and Shire are ready and willing to celebrate the success of their peers. What a variety there was; the benefit of these awards being open to all sectors at different stages of their business is that the winners vary from down hole innovative solutions to biomedical science, right through to the celebration of a local organic cafe and a fine drinks emerging entrepreneur.
The speaker is often the topic of conversation at the bar - and what a speaker it was.
Nick Nairn - celebrity chef and entrepreneur in the truest sense; risk taker, business opportunist, self-professed media lover, but what a story! He really has lived a life of highs and lows in the business world and I think each of us took away a ‘wee gem’ of business advice. Such a grounded man, he was still imparting his wisdom to local small businesses as he left the event at midnight. We can’t thank him enough for his input to the evening.
One of the highlights of the night, whilst announcing the winners, were the presentations of the Entrepreneur of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award, which we just introduced for the first time last year, went to local hotelier and Aberdeen ambassador Stewart Spence, a dedicated advocate of excellence in service and investment in staff, truly placing Aberdeen on the map. Entrepreneur of the Year award winner was Scientist and CEO of NovaBiotics Dr Deborah O'Neil, with over 100 patents to her name.
Please see the full list of our fantastic winners below. We thank each of our dedicated sponsors for their support and all of you reading this - we thank you for being invested in another of our projects and spreading our news.
Most Promising New Business Winner:
The Food Story Café
Business Success Under Three Years Winner:
SengS Subsea Engineering Solutions Ltd
Business Success Over Three Years:
Blaze Manufacturing Solutions
The Grampian Award for Innovation:
Meta Downhole Ltd
The Spirit of Enterprise Award:
Stompers Childcare Services/Technoplay
The Alick Buchanan-Smith Enterprising Communities Award:
CLAN Cancer Support
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year:
Ben Iravani of Monkey Bars Aberdeen Ltd
Employer of the Year:
Indigo Technologies
Entrepreneurial Supporter of the Year:
Andrew Smith of ABNCommunity
Entrepreneur of the Year:
Dr Deborah O'Neil of NovaBiotics
Lifetime Acheivement Award:
Stewart Spence of the Marcliffe
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