Courier Business Awards 2019: Our shortlist revealed after record entry

By Rob McLaren

August 16 2019, 9:45am

A record number of Courier Business Awards entries meant it was the toughest year yet for the judging panel to create its shortlist.

The expert panel met in Dundee this week to whittle down more than 150 entries ahead of October’s glittering black-tie ceremony.

Courier Business Awards judges debate the entries.

After hours of deliberations an outstanding shortlist of the best and brightest companies in Courier Country has been formed.

First-time judge Mike Soutar, best known for his appearances advising Lord Sugar on BBC1’s The Apprentice, said he was stunned at the high standard of the entries.

The publishing entrepreneur said: “I can genuinely say I have been invigorated and inspired by this year’s entries — so many examples of bold businesses, creating employment, wealth and opportunities in Tayside and Fife.

Apprentice star Mike Soutar has joined the Courier Business Awards judging panel

“From ambitious start-ups to long established companies. From family-owned and community-focused to tech and industrial businesses with global domination in mind. These awards tell the story of the entrepreneurial birthplace of a new Scotland.

“I’m looking forward to the awards night in October to help celebrate with all those entrants who have made it on to the most competitive of shortlists. You really are all winners.”

The winners will be announced at the Courier Business Awards ceremony, which will be attended by around 700 guests at Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee on October 26. Tickets can be booked here

This year’s judging panel was chaired by The Courier’s editor Catriona MacInnes.

She said: “We were blown away again by the high standard of submissions and I’d like to thank everyone who entered.

“I think the high quality shortlist proves the entrepreneurial landscape in Tayside and Fife is stronger than ever.”

The panel also included Richard Neville, head of newspapers at DC Thomson Media; Liz Cameron, the chief executive of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce, Chris van der Kuyl, chairman and co-founder of 4J Studios; and Gayle Mann, chief operating officer of Entrepreneurial Spark.

The Courier Business Awards is the biggest black-tie event in the north-east of Scotland.

Returning judge Mr van der Kuyl said: “It was an extremely diverse and strong line-up of companies.

“It was almost overwhelming the quality of talent that we’ve seen across the judging table today and I think we’ve got some amazing businesses in the shortlist.”

Companies and entrepreneurs on the shortlist will now be visited by representatives of The Courier and event partner MHA Henderson Loggie before the judging panel makes its final decisions on the winners.

David Smith, managing partner of MHA Henderson Loggie, said creating the shortlist was “incredibly tough”.

He said: “There was great quality, whether businesses were small, medium sized or large.

“Combining this with such diversity across sectors that reflects business in Courier Country, really made the judges’ task of producing a shortlist incredibly tough.

“The finalists are a superb representation of all that is good in our part of the world.”

Courier Business Awards 2019 shortlist

Apprentice of the Year

Calum Love
Declan McFarlane
Jamie Craig
Lottie Reardon

Design and Innovation

ACE Aquatec
NCR
SP Technology
Urban Foresight

Digital

GoRoadie
Miconex
Zudu

Enterprise in Education

Fertility Genomics
Konglomerate Games
Pocket Sized Hands
Take Your Marks

Entrepreneur of the Year

Anne MacDonald
Dale Harris
Kirsty Lunn
Nathan Pyne-Carter

Export

ATL Turbine Services
Dover Fueling Solutions
Halley Stevensons Ltd

Family

Blue Star St Andrews
Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze
Caltech Lifts
Crieff Hydro Hotel
Glendoick Garden Centre
J&D Wilkie Group
James Donaldson & Son
John James Roofing
Mackie Motors
Perthshire Caravans
Powerwasher Services
Scott Brothers Butchers