Gilbert honoured as financial industry recognised at Northern Star Awards

Martin Gilbert, co-chief executive of Standard Life Aberdeen, has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award at last week’s Northern Star Business Awards for his outstanding contribution to the region.

Mr Gilbert received tributes from North-east business leaders Sir Ian Wood and Stewart Spence as well as US and European Ryder Cup captains Jim Furyk and Thomas Bjorn during the glittering black tie ceremony at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Thursday evening.

Mr Gilbert, who was in Paris, accepted his award by video.

Organised by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce and now in their fifteenth year, the Northern Star Business Awards recognise companies in the North-east for their exceptional accomplishments across a range of fields from energy and innovation to people development, customer service and environmental action.

41 finalists joined the 600 guests at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, all eager to find out who would lift the award in each of the 13 award categories.

North-east independent financial advisers Phil Anderson Financial Services beat off stiff competition from Marathon Oil and Bon Accord Care to win in the Staff Matter category.

Commenting on the success managing director Phil Anderson said: “I have always been a big believer in that if I look after our staff they will then look after our clients. The way the business has gone in the last year proves this and the fact that we receive so many testimonials and recommendations from existing clients shows this as well. I am absolutely delighted to win this award and want to thank all my staff for the hard work they have put in recently.”

Chief executive of the Chamber Russell Borthwick said: “We see a big part of our role being leading the celebration of our city region as a great place to live, work, study, invest and do business. Companies of all sizes, from all sectors and across the length and breadth of this fantastic region are renowned for their innovation and entrepreneurial spirit and these awards provide a great stage to showcase and celebrate this. If we’re not prepared to talk ourselves up, no-one else is going to do it for us.

“The Chamber congratulates the winners and finalists who have again raised the bar across a whole range of disciplines from exports and marketing to their commitment to staff development and impact on the community. We should draw inspiration from everything we saw and heard during these awards and redouble our efforts to create the economic conditions that will ensure the long-term success of the North-east.”

The winners in the 13 categories were as follows: