Five Scottish firms revealed in UK Private Business Awards 2015 shortlist

Five Scottish businesses have been recognised for their business tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit, reaching the finals of the UK Private Business Awards 2015 (PBA), sponsored by PwC in association with HSBC Private Bank and The Supper Club.

In its fifth year, the Private Business Awards has attracted over 2000 high quality submissions from across the UK, with the Scottish finalists announced today represented in five out of the ten award categories:

Glencraft (Aberdeen) Ltd Social Enterprise of the Year

BenRiach Distillery Co Ltd High Growth Business of the Year

BrewDog Plc Private Business of the Year

Peak Scientific Holdings Ltd International Business of the Year

Mike Wilson, Ecosse Subsea Systems Ltd Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year

Martin Cowie, head of private business at PwC in Scotland, said: “Over the last year, these businesses have clearly demonstrated their ability to forge fantastic opportunities for themselves and those they employ, and it’s particularly great to see them represented in hotly contested categories such as export, high growth and social enterprise.

“The shortlist not only reflects these organisation’s tenacity, innovation and drive to succeed but is a remarkable testimony to the resilience and performance of the local economy, particularly in a buoyant North East of Scotland marketplace, where three of our finalists are based.

“Our private businesses form the backbone of the UK and Scottish economy and it’s vital that these enterprises continue to get the recognition they deserve. I look forward to hearing how our shortlisted Scottish businesses get on in the final Private Business Awards in September.”

Charlie Hoffman, managing director, HSBC Private Bank said: “Once again there is strong competition across all categories with candidates demonstrating immense talent and an outstanding work ethic. Alongside their relentless focus on the customer, so many participants acknowledge that human capital, namely the employees, is often what makes the business a success.

“Of particular note this year is the quality of entrants who are family-owned businesses. Often multi-generational, these are the British ‘Mittelstand’ who are very much the country’s past and ever evolving future.

“At HSBC Private Bank we have long recognised the contribution of private businesses to the economy, and are delighted that through the Private Business Awards we now have an established national platform for showcasing the very best of their achievements and entrepreneurship.”

Jane Gomez, managing director of The Supper Club, said: “From manufacturers to digital disruptors, the businesses on this shortlist demonstrate the ambition and strength of UK enterprise today. We are thrilled to support this celebration of not only business success, but particularly, of leadership. The founders and CEOs of these firms have led these firms through challenging times to achieve growth. They are the true wealth creators in Britain today.”

The winners of the Private Business Awards 2015 will be announced at a dinner to be held at the Brewery, London, EC1 on Wednesday 30th September.

The full shortlist is below:

UK Private Business Awards 2015 - Shortlisted Nominees:

Technology Innovation of the Year Award - Sponsored by finnCap

11 Health & Technology Ltd – South East

AnTech Ltd – West and Wales

GBUK Enteral Ltd – North East

Vision RT Ltd - London

Social Enterprise of the Year Award - Sponsored by LIFESAVER systems Ltd

Carecall NI Ltd – Northern Ireland

Glencraft (Aberdeen) Ltd – Scotland

Shared Interest Society – North East

Student@Home - London

High Growth Business of the Year Award - Sponsored by Equistone Partners Europe Limited

BenRiach Distillery Co Ltd – Scotland

Bullitt Group Ltd – South East

First Utility Ltd – Midland

Motorpoint Ltd - Midlands

Rising Star of the Year Award - Sponsored by Klood

Butterfly Twists Ltd - London

Emoderation Ltd - London

Metcalfe’s Food Company - London

The Knowledge Academy – South East

International Business of the Year Award - Sponsored by HSBC Commercial Bank

Brompton Bicycle Ltd – London

Gripple Ltd – North East

Peak Scientific Holdings Ltd – Scotland

Tangle Teezer Ltd – South East

Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Imran Akram – Asons Solicitors Ltd – North West

Lee Biggins – CV Library Ltd– South East

Alice Blackie – Pink Boutique Ltd – North East

Mike Wilson – Ecosse Subsea Systems Ltd - Scotland

Private Business Woman of the Year Award - Sponsored by PwC

Susan Barratt – Natures Way Foods - South East

Joanne Smith – The Consulting Consortium - London

Cheryl Williams – Yorkshire Wildlife Park - North East

Abi Wright – Spabreaks.com - London

CEO of the Year Award - Sponsored by The Supper Club

Will Butler-Adams – Brompton Bicycle Ltd – London

Phil Doye – Kelway Ltd – London

Tom Joule – Joules Ltd - Midlands

Colin Stevens – Better Bathrooms Ltd – North West

Family Business of the Year Award - Sponsored by Charles Russell Speechlys

Abraham Moon & Sons Ltd – North East

Boodles Ltd – London

Kolak Snack Foods Ltd – South East

Frank Roberts and Sons Ltd – North West

Private Business of the Year Award - Sponsored by HSBC Private Bank

Argus Media Ltd – London

BrewDog Plc – Scotland

Kelway Ltd – London

Usborne Publishing Ltd – London

For more information on the Private Business Awards, visit: www.privatebusinessawards.com