Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) has been named the UK Chamber of the Year by the British Chambers of Commerce.
The awards, held last night in London, are an opportunity to highlight the role that Chambers play in assisting firms to deliver growth and prosperity for the UK and local communities. They provide a brilliant opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the Chamber Network, and the vital support they provide to businesses.
Judges praised AGCC for its high local impact campaigning for a managed energy transition that safeguards thousands of jobs. They also recognised the Aberdeen team’s extensive collaborative work with other UK Chambers.
The award entry was based around the North Sea Transition Taskforce which sought to highlight the national – not just local- jeopardy and opportunity around our energy future.
A big thanks goes to the Chamber's members who supported this vital piece of works. It feels perhaps we might just get the fiscal and regulatory changes we need.
Russell Borthwick, Jason Stewart and Ryan Crighton picked up the award on behalf of the team.
Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Winning this award is great recognition for the whole team at AGCC
“We play a leading role in pushing for a just energy transition in our region, and across the UK. That’s something that will safeguard jobs everywhere and secure our economic future.
“The ambition, resilience and innovation of the North-east of Scotland are at the heart of everything we do.”
Katie Watson collecting her Rising Star Award.
It was a double win for AGCC last night with relationship manager Katie Watson picking up the Rising Star Award, beating more than a dozen peers from Chambers across the nation.
The award is a unique opportunity to celebrate the next generation of Chamber professionals and Katie has a proud record of promoting her Chamber outside the ‘9-5’ and helping to inspire young business leaders across the North-east of Scotland.
Katie Watson, relationship manager at Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce said: “I really care about helping businesses in my region and inspiring other young professionals. Being recognised by the wider Chamber network is just amazing.
“My colleagues in Aberdeen are fantastic, helping me learn and develop every day. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
The last time AGCC won this accolade was in 2014, the year the Dons won the League Cup. And eleven years later history has repeated itself with the Scottish Cup and Chamber of the Year trophies in the cabinet in the North-east of Scotland. Where they belong!
The British Chamber of Commerce in Korea was named International Chamber of the Year. And three of their delegation were from….Aberdeen. In fact, Russell went to school with one of them. The North-east of Scotland diaspora is alive and making great stuff happen around the globe!
A picture special from the night will be published in the next edition of the Chamber's Business Bulletin.