The flagship event of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce is a significant date in the Scottish business calendar and saw awards presented across 14 different categories during the gala evening at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Hotelier Stewart Spence, owner of the five star Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, received the Chamber's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his achievements over more than 50 years in the industry.
Hydrasun Group celebrated an impressive trio on the night, winning all three awards for which it had been shortlisted: Achievement in International Business Award; Outstanding Contribution to Society Award; and Overall Global Business of the Year Award.
The Green Award and Overall Small Business of the Year Award went to Keenan Recycling while the Commitment to People Development Award and the Overall Medium Business of the Year Award were presented to ACE Winches.
The Student Placement Award went to Marathon Oil/Rachel Jack and the Rising Star Award to Aileen Scott of Indigo Technologies.
Meta Downhole Ltd was the recipient of the Energy Award and Paradigm Flow Services landed the Commitment to Innovative Use of Research & Development Award.
Swagelok Scotland received the Excellence in Customer Service Award and Fifth Ring was presented with the Best Campaign Award for its Monty's Maggie's Appeal.
Broadcaster, journalist and writer Sally Magnusson was the host for the evening and the principal sponsor was Aberdeen Harbour. The five nominated charities which will benefit from the fundraising on the night are Absafe, Children 1st, GREC, Inspire and VSA.
Robert Collier, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce said: "The Northern Star Business Awards are the benchmark of excellence for enterprises across all sectors of our region's economy. With a 25% increase in nominations this year, the competition was harder than ever and our congratulations go to the winners and all those who were shortlisted. They embody the positive contribution business makes to the economy and society, whether via exports and research or their commitment to staff development and the community.
"We can draw inspiration from the achievements celebrated tonight and look forward to the tenth anniversary of these awards, which we will mark in 2013 with further success stories from the North-east economy."
Colin Parker, chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour, added: "The Northern Star Business Awards provide the perfect platform to celebrate the good work of both organisations and individuals from across the region. Aberdeen Harbour Board has been a long-standing supporter of the event and as principal sponsor we are delighted to see the increase in nominations that exemplify the ambition and passion that is embraced by the North-east business community."
