News

Ambition, innovation, resilience and determination – this year’s entries to The Courier Business Awards had it all.

Around 160 submissions were received to this year’s awards, held in partnership with chartered accountants Henderson Loggie.

The six-strong judging panel spent hours debating each category and whittling down the entries to create the shortlist.

The black-tie event, held for the 12th time, takes place on October 24 at the Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee.

Companies large and small and spanning a diverse range of sectors are featured on the shortlist.

As well as businesses operating in Tayside and Fife, this year’s awards also received several entries from companies from the Stirling area, reflecting The Courier’s greater geographical coverage.

This year’s judging panel was chaired by Courier editor David Clegg.

David said: “Seeing the full sweep of talent and ambition across every category was genuinely inspiring.

“What stood out most was how deeply rooted these businesses are in their communities – driven not just by commercial success, but by a real commitment to people and place.

“The awards are a celebration of that shared spirit.  It’s a privilege to help shine a light on the companies and individuals shaping the future of our region.”

The other judges were 4J Studios chairman Chris van der Kuyl; Marie Macklin of the Halo Group; Angela Linton, the former chief executive of Hillcrest; The Courier business editor Rob McLaren; and David Smith, managing partner of Henderson Loggie.

Mr Smith said: “It was great to see a lot of new companies coming forward this year.  One thing that struck me in this year’s judging pack was that a lot of businesses have been successful through necessity of having to adapt their business.

“Others have seen an opportunity and gone for it.  The entries highlighted a lot of brave decisions.

“I really enjoyed the debates in the room today.  It is a very strong shortlist.”

Each of the shortlisted businesses will be visited in person by senior members of staff from The Courier and Henderson Loggie in the coming weeks and they will report back to the judging panel.

After each of the category winners, an overall Business of the Year Award will be presented.  Last year’s Business of the Year was Montrose Port Authority.

This year’s awards will be hosted by the BBC Sport and BBC Radio 2 presenter Jason Mohammad.

He said: “I love hosting events with amazing Scottish audiences.

“Some of you may know I also do like to end the event with a bit of a sing-song.

“See you all soon in Dundee.”

The Courier Business Awards 2025 finalists are:

Apprentice, sponsored by Apex Hotels

• Callum Gordon – Fife Council
• Casey Gardner – Persimmon Homes North Scotland
• Connor Deuchars – Forth Ports
• Zoe Clark – Due North Creatives

Brand Marketing and Social Media, sponsored by Montrose Port Authority

• AJ Renewables
• M.ad Agency
• Mills Observatory
• SaltDog Marine

Business Leader, sponsored by Blackadders LLP

• Dave Tipping – Kids Operating Boom
• Jimmy Urquhart – Discovery Flexibles
• Joyce Gibson – Direct Soccer

Community, sponsored by Dundee and Angus College

• Alexander Community Development
• Braw Tea CIC
• Kanzen for Life
• Montrose Community Trust

Employer of the Year, sponsored by Dundee Science Centre

• ESP Group
• NCR Atleos
• Waracle

Family, sponsored by Thorntons

Angus:

• ESP Group
• Forbes of Kingennie
• Whytes of Monifieth

Dundee:

• Clarks Bakery
• Direct Soccer
• Spaces Taylored

Fife:

• Pettycur Bay Holiday Park
• The Natural Energy Company
• Wee Kingdom Softplay & Cafe

Perthshire:

• Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels
• Gillies & Mackay
• The Alyth Hotel

Growth, sponsored by Hillcrest

• Driver Hire Dundee & Perth
• RADIX
• Raeburn Training

Innovation and Technology, sponsored by SSEN Transmission

• Direct Soccer
• RADIX
• Scott & Fyfe

Legal and Property, sponsored by Alpha Projects

• Duncan and McConnell Solicitors
• Harmony Homes Estate Agency
• Home Sweet Home Estate Agents Fife

Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality, sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland

• Pettycur Bay Holiday Park
• Scone Palace
• The Alyth Hotel

Medium to Large Business, sponsored by Barratt Homes

• Direct Soccer
• ESP Group
• Forth Ports
• NCR Atleos

Service, sponsored by Walker Luxury Jeweller

• Change Centre Dundee (Street Soccer Group)
• Here’s The Plan
• Hutcheon Mearns

Small Business, sponsored by Gilson Gray

• Discovery Stone
• Economy Car and Van Hire
• Raeburn Training
• The Alyth Hotel

Transition to Net Zero, sponsored by Forth Ports

• DP&L Travel Management
• RADIX
• The Natural Energy Company
• Transition Stirling

Young Business, sponsored by NCR Atleos

• Angus Alchemy
• Discovery Stone
• The Culdee

This article appeared in The Courier on 19 August 2025