Last night (25th June 2015) we were over the moon to celebrate our 16th consecutive business awards commending business excellence, entrepreneurial behaviour and outstanding community contributions made by top businesses in the North East of Scotland.
In February 2015 we launched The Elevator Awards 2015 and saw hundreds of businesses in all different sectors apply for our 9 wide spanning categories.
Given the current economic climate we were very fortunate to again sell out the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel venue at its full capacity of 400 people and we thank all of the business representatives who continue to support the event and all of the businesses being commended, year on year.
The aim of the evening in its entirety is to focus on the significant success of our 30 finalists who overcame huge competition to be named as the top three finalists in 9 categories. We were also extremely lucky to have NASA Astronaut and former US Navy Captain Steve Bowen speak at the event talking about his experience of space travel and his thoughts on leadership and success.
Without further ado please let me present to you the winners of our Elevator Awards 2015:
Most Promising New Business - sponsored by Business Gateway: Bagels & Stuff
Business Success Under Three Years- sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland: Zenith Energy
Business Success Over Three Years- sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland: EFC Group
The Grampian Award for Innovation – sponsored by Murgitroyd: Equalizer Flange Integrity
The ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ Award – sponsored by partner Aberdeen City Council: Definition Skin and Laser Clinic
The Alick Buchanan-Smith Enterprising Communities Award – sponsored by partner Aberdeenshire Council: North East Sensory Services
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year - sponsored by ACE Winches: Murray Kerr (SengS – Subsea Engineering Services Ltd)
Employer of the Year - sponsored by Empire: Grampian Fasteners
Entrepreneurial Supporter of the Year - sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses: June Burnett (Aberdeenshire Council)
Entrepreneur of the Year: Graeme Bone, of Drum Property Group
Lifetime Achievement Award: Jimmy Milne, CBE of Balmoral Group
Graeme Bone, managing director of Drum Property Group, a specialist commercial and residential development firm with a vast portfolio of sites across Scotland, from Stranraer to Aberdeen, was named Entrepreneur of the Year. Mr Bone founded Drum in 2004 after leaving a career as a solicitor and the firm is now responsible for a range of high profile sites, including the biggest commercial development in the UK outside of London – the £500million Prime Four business park at Kingswells - and will join other notable local entrepreneurs in the Elevator ‘Hall of Fame’ in recognition of his dedication to the property sector.
Legendary North-east businessman, Dr James Milne CBE of Balmoral Group, was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to innovation and engineering in the North-east energy sector. Mr Milne’s grit and determination has made him one of the region’s most inspirational entrepreneurs and, aged 74, he continues to lead one of the North-east’s most successful businesses.
Professor Gary McEwan, chief executive of Elevator, said: “The Lifetime Achievement award is presented to a notable figure from the North-east business community, and Mr Milne received the accolade for his inspirational determination to succeed and for the enormous contribution he has made to the engineering and manufacturing sector in the North-east. The Entrepreneur of the Year accolade is presented to a businessperson who goes above and beyond to make their firm a success and Mr Bone, whose firm has one of the most impressive portfolios in the country, will join seven other notable entrepreneurs in the Enterprise ‘Hall of Fame’ in recognition for his work in the area.
“Year after year we are thoroughly impressed by the high standard of the entrants in the awards. Our final decision about the winners of each category was extremely difficult, but each and every individual who reached the finals stages should be proud of their achievements, and we encourage them to continue to be successful in their field.”
Russell Whyte, director of commercial and private banking at the Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “The Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to continue to support the Elevator Awards as it plays an important role in promoting and supporting new business and entrepreneurialism in the North-east of Scotland.
“Once again, the quality of the finalists have been superb and the judging panel had to work hard to decide on the eventual winners.
Each winner is a proud reflection of the skills, talent and diversity that exists within the Scottish business community and ecosystem.”
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