Perthshire Chamber Launches 2024 Business Star Awards

The search is on to find the region’s brightest businesses as Perthshire Chamber of Commerce launches its 2024 Star Awards.

Binn Group, Scotland’s largest independent waste management company, have been confirmed as the headline sponsor for the awards, which provide an opportunity for new and established businesses across Perthshire to showcase their excellence.

The awards also recognise the fantastic individuals and teams behind the success of Perthshire’s top businesses, from apprentices starting out on their career journey to established employees.

Entries open on 12th August across 16 categories, with the judges also deciding the coveted overall Business of the Year award, won last year by Sidey after marking 90 years as a company.

The Perthshire Chamber of Commerce event – one of the most eagerly anticipated in the business calendar – takes place at Crieff Hydro on Friday 22nd November.

Businesses throughout the region are being urged to nominate themselves and their employees as the awards celebrate the best of local business.

Perthshire Chamber chief executive Vicki Unite said: “We all know how tough it is running a business in the current economic environment, from rising operating costs and the challenges around recruitment to the changing face of our high streets.

“But we are always amazed by the resilience, innovation and determination of Perthshire businesses. Their ability to adapt and grow is incredible.

“More than ever, it’s absolutely critical that we foster a culture of local businesses supporting each other. We want to see the supply chain and public and private sector procurement processes provide as many opportunities as possible to retain spend in our local economy.

“As well as helping drive our local economy and supportingour city, town and rural communities, many of these businesses are making their mark nationally and internationally in highly-competitive markets.

“The Business Star Awards are all about shining a light on the hard work and creative talent that goes into making those success stories.

“We are again delighted to partner with Binn Group as our main sponsor. They are a perfect example of a companysupporting local and putting Perthshire on the map nationally and internationally by leading their sector through innovation.

Earlier this year, Binn Group joined forces with Paprec, the French-based leader in recycling and green energies, to begin work on a new Energy from Waste (EfW) facility, which will provide low carbon energy to local industries and the local community. It will process up to 85,000 tonnes of residual waste each year and generate up to 8 MW of electricity. The plant also has capacity to generate up to 17MW of heat annually.

The construction of the €120m plant at Binn Eco Park in Glenfarg will create 200 jobs in the construction phase as well as 30 long-term skilled posts once the facility is operational in early 2026. Binn Group, which is family run and has 20 years of expertise, already employs more than 160 people.

Some 60% of the civil works for the new facility will be managed by locally-based companies or branches. The plant’s energy systems will also enable a range of other low carbon, circular economy and controlled environment agriculture business development opportunities within the Binn Eco Park.

Allan MacGregor, Chief Executive of Binn Group, said: “Keeping business local is really important to us as a local family-run business. If you work in the local area, I think you should support other businesses in your area.

“The Chamber’s priority is Perthshire, and the organisation has a vast and valuable network of business people. They share the same passion for local that has always been at the heart of Binn Group and that’s why we are involved with the Perthshire Chamber.

“We’re delighted to again be the main sponsor of the Business Star Awards. They showcase superb local companies and we know from our own experience how much of a buzz it provides to the people and businesses involved, whether they are finalists or winners.”

Tickets for the Business Star Awards, which will be hosted by Fred Macaulay, are now available. They include fizz on arrival, a delicious three-course meal with coffee and petits fours, awards ceremony, fundraiser and live music.

Ticket prices for Chamber members are £95+VAT pp for a member or £900 + VAT for a table of 10. Non-members are £105+ VAT pp or £1000 + VAT for a table of 10.

Full entry information, details of all the award categories, and guidance on how to enter online can be found at www.businessstarwards.co.uk. Entries close on 13th October.

Further support and information on category sponsorship opportunities is available from Perthshire Chamber by phone on 01738 448325, email at events@perthshirechamber.co.uk or online at www.perthshirechamber.co.uk.