Highlands and Islands businesses urged to put themselves forward in FSB awards
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Businesses across the Highlands and Islands are being encouraged to enter a UK-wide award scheme run by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) – with advice being provided at a webinar next week for those that might wish to put themselves forward for national recognition.
Nominations for the 2023 FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards are open from now until January 19. Entry is free, with the Scottish finals to be held in Glasgow in March – and the FSB is keen to see as many applications as possible from the north of Scotland.
To help business owners get a better feel for why they should enter the awards, how they should go about it, what judges look for and how to make the best of any success, the FSB’s Highlands and Islands development manager David Richardson is hosting a free, hour-long webinar on Tuesday, November 15.
Mr Richardson said: “The owners of small businesses are all extremely busy adapting to the rapidly changing world around them and many say that they spend their time chasing their tails.
"The awards provide an opportunity for stressed people to take a minute or two out – to sit back and take stock, reviewing the past to help them guide their futures.
“But of course they are also in it to win it, and this webinar will provide some really useful hot tips to increase attendees’ chances of doing just that.
“And in case anyone thinks that businesses in the Highlands and Islands don’t stand a chance, it’s worth noting that of the four overall FSB UK Small Business of the Year winners since our awards began, two have come from the Highlands [Woodlands Glencoe and Cruise Loch Ness] and one from north-east Scotland [Amity Fish Company]. Coincidence? I think not!”
Mr Richardson was speaking after attending a private reception for Scottish winners of the Celebrating Small Business Awards hosted by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in her official Edinburgh residence, Bute House.
Last Thursday's event recognised winners from both 2022 and the previous year.
Those in attendance included both this year’s and last year’s overall FSB UK Small Business of the Year winners – Jimmy Buchan from Amity Fish Company in Peterhead and James and Callum McPherson Young from Woodlands Glencoe in Ballachulish respectively.
The First Minister also welcomed Karen Simpson of My Primary Tutor in Inverness, winner of last year’s FSB Scotland Self-Employed Award; Gordon and Kay Pearson of WOW Scotland Tours, based in Tomatin, winners of last year’s FSB Scotland Micro Business of the Year Award; and Cory Jones and Mandy Rush of the Gairloch Kayak Centre/Highland Experiences, winners of the 2022 FSB Scotland Micro Business of the Year Award.
While based in Glasgow, Shetlander Brian Inkster of Inksters Solicitors – with offices throughout the Highlands and Islands – was present as winner of the 2022 FSB Scotland Self-Employed Award.
FSB’s UK chairman Martin McTague said later: “It was a great honour to receive such a warm welcome from the First Minister at her official residence. Our Celebrating Small Business Awards showcase the best of the small business community across the country, and in these difficult times it’s more important than ever that they know we’ve got their back.
“We welcomed businesses from every part of Scotland – from the urban bustle of the cities to the rural splendour of the Highlands – and from every sector, from manufacturing, e-commerce, education, tourism, retail and more. They are hugely diverse but they have one thing in common – they’ve come through several exceptionally difficult years and are still delivering for their customers.
“If this is what they can do in the teeth of a pandemic and cost-of-doing-business crisis, just imagine what they’ll be doing when more favourable trading conditions return. The sky will be the limit.”
Jimmy Buchan will be on next week's webinar panel, as will winners from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
