The Business Star Awards 2024 Deadline Approaches

PERTHSHIRE businesses have a month to submit their nominations for this year’s Star Awards.

The region’s premier business awards event takes place at Crieff Hydro on Friday, November 22nd, but nominations must be received by 5pm on Friday October 11th.

A shortlist will then be drawn up and the winners revealed at the glittering 2024 Star Awards event.

It is 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.

Binn Group, Scotland’s largest independent waste management company, is set to continue as the headline sponsor for the awards for the next three years. 

Perthshire Chamber chief executive Vicki Unite said: “We are so grateful to have secured Binn’s ongoing support for the next three years.  This is our blue-ribbon event and it is a great opportunity for businesses to showcase their success and hard work and for employees to receive recognition for their effort and innovation throughout the year.

“It is always a great evening and it brings together the cream of Perthshire business people, enabling them to honour their achievements and network and party into the wee, small hours.  Our sponsors and supporters make this night possible.”

There are 18 categories up for grabs, culminating in the coveted overall Business of the Year award, won last year by Sidey after marking 90 years as a company.

The categories are:

Employee of the Year – who is the shining star or unsung hero in your workforce?

Apprentice of the Year – has your apprentice made a big difference to your organisation? Open to both Modern and Graduate apprentices.

Most Promising New Business – for businesses that have been operating for three years or less.

Excellence in Customer Service – open to all businesses and organisations of all sizes in all sectors.

Excellence in Business Innovation – for businesses that have been innovative (within the past three years) in creating a new product, system, model or way of working, perhaps using technology, to excel in today’s market place. 

Excellence in Digital Media - for those businesses that have a strong online presence and have harnessed the power of social media for success and survival.

Contribution to the Environment - for businesses that can demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability, for example illustrating savings in CO2 emissions or working towards net-zero targets, improved recycling, the circular economy, reduced use of hydrocarbons or sourcing alternative energy supplies.

Commitment to the Community - open to all businesses, organisations and charities of all sizes who can demonstrate a commitment to the community in which they operate.

Excellence in Tourism & Leisure Award - open to all businesses and organisations of all sizes that can demonstrate measurable success in the field of leisure tourism and/or business tourism or associated leisure activities.

Beyond Scotland - Award for trading Internationally or throughout the rest of the UK.

Business Growth - open to any business from any sector.  Businesses should demonstrate strong business initiatives, sustained growth in turnover and profitability, together with a clear strategy and plan to drive sustainable growth in the future.

Independent Retailer of the Year - open to shops and on-line retailers of all sizes and all types. 

Excellence in Food and Drink Produce - open to a business responsible for growing or producing a food or drink product.  This category is seeking those who are producing something uniquely excellent. The winner could come from any area of food and drink.

Employer of the Year - open to commercially successful companies who are exemplary employers in relation to their staff and customers and play an important role in the local community.

Health and Wellbeing Business of the Year – for businesses operating in the healthcare sector

Outstanding Young Business Person – for a young business person aged 30 and under (as of 31st March 2024) who exhibits qualities that inspire the business community. 

Business Leader of the Year – open to a leader who has excelled across the spectrum of business.

Perthshire Business of the Year - this will be announced on the night, selected from category/categories winner.

Tickets for the event – with fizz on arrival, a delicious three course meal with wine, coffee and petit fours, hosted awards ceremony,l fundraiser and live music with Groove Culture into the wee small hours are available:

£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.

Price is per person or bookings of ten to twelve – tables sit from 10-12

Further information and online application are available from www.businessstarawards.com.