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Scottish Chambers Triumphant in National Awards

Amidst the splendour of Christopher Wren's National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, Scottish Chambers of Commerce could rightfully claim to have done themselves proud at tonight's British Chambers of Commerce Annual Awards ceremony.

Winning both National Chamber of the Year (Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce) and National Business of the Year (Howdens, Renfrewshire) Scottish entrants took a quarter of first places and a fifth of all places on the night.

Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Liz Cameron said: "This is a vindication of the strength of Scottish businesses. We are surviving tough times, but looking to build our teams lean and mean for the future growth of Scotland's economy. We know how much depends on our getting it right. These awards recognise just how many people in Scotland are part of the solution, and how imaginative they have been at finding new ways forward. Just wait and see how we do when the good times return!"

Ron Hewitt, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said: "This award recognises the skills, endeavour and effort of all our members and all our employees. We are proud of our city and believe in our economic potential. This encouragement goes a long way to supporting our efforts to climb back up the hill to economic security. The fact of the matter is that all businesses need to define new ways forward in our challenging economic circumstances - and offering customer value is the only solution."

Bob Clelland CEO at Howden's said:"This is a great accolade for a Scottish company with over one hundred and fifty years track record."

Bob Collier, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce praised Hatstand Nelly's success in taking top spot for customer service. "They were up against businesses from all over the UK in one of the most challenging categories but their innovative approach to customer service clearly caught the judge's eye. It just goes to show that you don't have to be a big, high profile business to be the best in business and it also emphasises that the Chamber network recognises and celebrates outstanding achievement at all levels and across all sectors. Flexlife is an equally inspiring North-east success story. They were Scottish finalists in two categories and their placing in the Innovation category is just one of many awards they have picked up in the last year, including the Award for Research and Development at our own Northern Star Business Awards in September. Our congratulations go to both companies for their well deserved success."

Chamber Awards 2009

Member and Chamber national winners

Members:

Achievement in International Business:

1st – ABRIOX Limited

South Wales Chamber

2nd – G7th Limited

Cambridgeshire Chamber

3rd – Braidwood Associates Ltd

Edinburgh Chamber

Award for Innovation through Technology:

1st - Brandon Medical Co Ltd

Leeds Chamber

2nd – Alumet Systems (UK) Ltd

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber

3rd – flexlife Ltd

Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber

Award for Excellence in People Development:

1st – Arena Group of Companies

Leeds Chamber

2nd - Campbell Dallas LLP

Renfrewshire Chamber

3rd - Pirate FM Ltd

Cornwall Chamber

Green Award:

1st - JC Atkinson and Son Ltd

North East Chamber

2nd - Doncaster Re-furnish

Doncaster Chamber

3rd - Specflue Ltd

Suffolk Chamber

Business of the Year:

1st – Howden Group Limited

Renfrewshire Chamber

2nd - Industrial Automation and Control Ltd

South Wales Chamber

3rd - Sunray Engineering Limited

Kent Invicta Chamber

Most Promising New Business:

1st - ABRIOX Limited

South Wales Chamber

2nd – OBAS UK Ltd

North and Western Lancashire Chamber

3rd - Global Transport Logistics Limited

North East Chamber

Excellence in Customer Service:

1st – Hatstand Nelly

Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber

2nd – Milton Keynes Theatre

Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire Chamber

3rd - Arena Group of Companies

Leeds Chamber

Entrepreneur of the Year:

1st – Mark Needham of Widget UK Ltd

Hertfordshire Chamber

2nd – Kate Craig-Wood of Memset Ltd

Surrey Chambers

3rd – Nickie Gott of She’s Gott It!

North East Chamber

Chambers:

Excellence in International Trade Services:

1st - Greater Manchester

2nd – Edinburgh

3rd – Liverpool

Award for Most Effective Campaigning:

1st – St Helens

2nd – Liverpool

3rd – Suffolk

Excellence in Membership Services:

1st – St Helens

2nd – Ayrshire

3rd – Sussex

Meeting the Skills Development Agenda:

1st – Hertfordshire

2nd – Sussex

Joint 3rd – Milton Keynes & Doncaster

Chamber of the Year:

1st - Edinburgh

2nd - Liverpool

3rd – Doncaster

13 awards x 3 places = 39 possibilities.

Scotland

Firsts: Edinburgh Chamber of the Year

Howden Group Renfrewshire Chamber Business of the Year

Hatstand Nelly Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber Excellence in Customer Service

Seconds: Campbell Dallas LLP Renfrewshire Chamber Excellence in People Development

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Excellence in International Trade Services

Ayrshire Chamber Excellence in Member Services

Thirds: Braidwood Associates Limited Edinburgh Chamber Excellence in International Trade

Flexlife ltd Aberdeen Chamber Innovation through technology

8/39 = 20.5%

Scotland scoops a quarter of the prizes and over a fifth of the awards!