A leading North-east entrepreneur who founded and built a hugely successful global asset management group has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the 2018 Northern Star Business Awards for his outstanding contribution to the region.
Martin Gilbert, co-chief executive of Standard Life Aberdeen, 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. Mr Gilbert, who is currently 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.
Winner of one of the top awards on the evening was WM Donald Ltd which was named Business of the Year. The company, which marked its 40th anniversary last year, has focused its successful strategy for growth on the pillars of diversification, education and innovation. Building on a legacy of sea outfall, landfill and sewer construction, its core market has evolved and the company is now the contractor of choice for housing developers, working on a number of high profile projects which are integral to Aberdeen City Region’s future. The approach also generated an 8% growth in its workforce and 26% increase in turnover to £34m during a period of significant economic challenge for the region.
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:
Lifetime Achievement
- Martin Gilbert, Standard Life Aberdeen
Going Global
Marketing Magic
Inspiration from Innovation
Staff Matter
- Phil Anderson Financial Services Ltd
Customer First
Family Business
- Laings Bathrooms & Kitchens
Making the Difference
Business of the Year
Rising Star
- Melanie Gilmour, Hall Morrice Corporate Finance
Student Placement
Eco Hero
- Grampian Housing Association
Inspiring Futures
- Glen Tanar and Aboyne Academy