One of Moray’s leading home-grown companies received a top accolade for business achievement last night.
Robertson Group won the Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Business Achievement at an awards ceremony hosted by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) in Inverness.
Judges praised founder and executive chairman Bill Robertson’s “clear vision and strategy” in developing the company, which this year marks its 50th anniversary.
Roberston has grown from a small Elgin-based joinery business into one of the UK’s largest privately-owned construction, infrastructure, and support services groups. With an order book of £1.7bn, and projected turnover of £590m this year, the group employs 300 people in the Highlands and Islands, and 1,900 across the UK.
Making the award, SCDI Highlands and Islands Chairman, Michael Urquhart, said: “Robertson are a well-respected part of the region’s business community and have constructed many of the buildings and structures that those living and working in the area rely on each day.
“Built on firm foundations, I’m confident that the company will continue to go from strength to strength, and SCDI are delighted to see them recognised with this year’s chairman’s award.”
Derek Shewan, chief operating officer at Robertson, paid tribute to the workforce and its leader.
He said: “Everyone in the group is incredibly proud of the company and the role we have played in transforming communities throughout the UK, including many significant projects in the Highlands and Islands and Moray, in areas such as education, healthcare and housing.
“Our Chairman, Bill Robertson, who continues to lead the Group, has created a strong business model that focuses on growing innovative and financially sustainable businesses in the regions where we operate.
“We are focused on the future with projects including the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, the new distillery and visitor centre for The Macallan and the new hospital for Orkney.”
The North Highland Initiative was highly commended in the chairman’s awards.
Other winners at the SCDI Highland Annual Dinner and Business Excellence Awards included Kyle-of-Lochalsh-based Exclamation Marketing.
The company, set up in February 2015, won the Scotrail Business Direct Award for Excellence in Business Service and Engagement.
Exclamation Marketing owner, Anisha Macdermid, said: “I’m delighted that my small company has been acknowledged in this way and that the work I do supporting businesses across Skye, Lochalsh and the Hebrides is recognised.”
A new category introduced to the awards this year, the Heathrow Award for Outstanding Business Ambassador, went to Highland Council’s director of development and planning, Stuart Black.
Tomatin Distillery Company received the Benromach Award for Excellence in International Business.
Inverness-based LifeScan’s drive to reduce its waste, CO2 emissions and water consumption since 2010 was recognised with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency Award for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability.
The Highlands and Islands Enterprise Award for Excellence in Research and Innovation went to Moray company Copernicus and the Crown Estate Award for Excellence in a Marine Business to Ferguson Transport and Shipping.
Buckie-based independent care home providers, Parklands Group, won the SCDI Award for Excellence in People Development.
A group of talented youngsters from Farr High School, in Caithness, traveled to the Drumossie Hotel to collect the SCDI Award for Highlands and Islands Young Engineers and Science Club of the Year.
Guests from across the region attended the dinner, where winners were presented with their awards by Scottish Secretary David Mundell. The event was hosted by award-winning comedian and entertainer Tim Vine.
