Salmond says Scottish business talent can lead way to recovery

2009 National Business Awards for Scotland Finalists Announced Today

First Minister Alex Salmond has backed the National Business Awards for Scotland 2009 as showcasing some of the ability that can help the nation beat the economic downturn.

Mr Salmond said: “Scotland has an abundance of business talent and innovation, both established and up and coming. At times like these it is more important than ever that this talent is nurtured and allowed to reach its full potential.

“The Scottish Government is doing everything in its power to help businesses through the current downturn, and the expertise shown by the organisations short-listed for The Awards, in both the public and private sector, shows we can be confident the nation is well-placed to emerge strongly and take advantage of the opportunities that will come with recovery.”

Sponsored by Orange since its inception in 2002, The National Business Awards for Scotland is pleased to announce its 2009 finalists. Nearly sixty organisations have been short listed this year including Crieff Hydro, SgurrEnergy, STV Group, Telefonica O2 UK, Axa Insurance, Innis & Gunn, SELEX Galileo, Aberdeen College and Churchill Drilling Tools. The finalists represent both public and private organisations based in Aberdeen, Airdrie, Arbroath, Argyll, Edinburgh, Forfar, Glasgow, Motherwell, Paisley, Perth and Uddingston.

Paul Tollet, Vice President of Business, Orange UK said: "We wish the best of luck to all finalists of The National Business Awards for Scotland. Nobody can doubt that this is an extremely difficult period for commerce, however, the National Business Awards provides the opportunity to revive some confidence in Scottish business through the recognition of our most talented organisations and individuals. This year's finalists clearly demonstrate the resilience, adaptability and success needed to drive the economy forward."

Made up of eight categories, finalists will now be preparing to make their presentations in person before an independent, expert judging panel from 18th – 22nd May. Winners will be unveiled at a glittering gala award dinner on the 24th June at the at the Glasgow Hilton hotel.

“The entry for this year’s programme of The National Business Awards For Scotland is very encouraging. Without exception every entrant is forecasting some expectation of growth for the 12 months ahead which appears to indicate that even in the prevailing market conditions, well run, professionally operated organisations are able to develop and implement effective success strategies. And, while Scotland plc may not be looking towards its best year ever neither is it looking ahead to its worst”, said Philip Forrest, Chairman of Judges, since the programme’s inception in 2002.

The National Business Awards for Scotland, sponsored by Orange, is United Business Media’s flagship business recognition platform with its particular emphasis on success, innovation and ethical business. Acknowledged as Scotland’s leading showcase for achievement in business, The National Business Awards for Scotland connects the nations’ professionals through its business recognition platform and annual awards ceremony.

Last year’s winners included Martin Oliver of Kwik-Fit Financial Services; James Watt and Martin Dickie of BrewDog; Bright Grey, beCogent; Petroleum Experts and Lloyds TSB.

For further information on the 2009 finalists, go to www.businessawardsforscotland.com, telephone 020 7234 8755 or email nbapressoffice@ubm.com.

- Ends -

*Photography is available upon request For further information please contact:

The National Business Awards Henriette Svensen, PR Manager Telephone: 020 7234 8753/0750 091 7628 Email: henriette.svensen@ubm.com

Editors Notes:

THE NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS FOR SCOTLAND

The 2009 Finalists are:

The Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award:

Aberdeen College, Aberdeen, AB25 1BN

beCogent Ltd, Airdrie, ML6 9BY

Cordia, Glasgow, G4 9XE

ExtraMed, Edinburgh, EH2 1AW

Mercurytide, Edinburgh, EH6 6AY

Onesearch Direct, Glasgow, G3 8EP

SynGro Ltd, West Lothian, EH54 7GA

The Scotsman Entrepreneur of the Year Award:

Tracey Devine, Angels, Aberdeen, AB25 1BO

Tony Banks, Balhousie Care Group, Forfar, DD8 2AD

Dr Rabinder Buttar, ClinTec International, Glasgow, G3 8HB

Hannah Sutter, golower limited, Edinburgh, EH6 7BN

Christian Arno, Lingo24, Edinburgh, EH3 6AA

Denice Purdie, Purdies The Scottish Soap Co, Argyll, PA27 8BU

The Glasgow University Business Innovation of the Year Award:

Aquamarine Power, Edinburgh, EH2 2AF

Clyde Valley Drilling Ltd, Motherwell, ML1 4YF

flexlife, Aberdeen, AB21 9BG

Kwik-Fit Insurance, Uddingston, G71 5PU

Selex Galileo, Edinburgh, EH5 2XS

The Town House Collection, Edinburgh, EH4 2BG

The Hilton Customer Focus Award:

Axa Insurance, Glasgow, G2 8JH

Balhousie Care Group, Forfar, DD8 2AD

Bright Grey, Edinburgh, EH2 1BG

Business Stream, Edinburgh, EH10 6XH

Cattles Invoice Finance, Glasgow, G2 2QD

Sykes Global Services, Kirkliston, EH29 9EL

Inver House Distillers Ltd, Airdrie, ML6 8PL

Kwik-Fit Insurance, Uddingston, G71 5PU

The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ

Telefonica O2 UK Limited, Glasgow, G3 8EP

The Symon Media Growth Strategy of the Year Award:

Churchill Drilling Tools, Aberdeen, AB1 19Q

Fake Bake, Glasgow, G71 8DA

IDE Group, Edinburgh, EH3 7DX

SgurrEnergy, Glasgow, G2 4GZ

STV Group, Glasgow, G51 1PQ

The Body Toning Clinic & Beauty Zone, EH28 8TB

The Business of the Year Award:

Balhousie Care Group, Forfar, DD8 2AD

Business Stream, Edinburgh, EH10 6XH

MediaCom Scotland, Edinburgh, EH6 6LU

Petroleum Experts Ltd, Edinburgh, EH7 4HG

Selex Galileo, Edinburgh, EH5 2XS

The Employer of the Year Award:

Angus College, Arbroath, DD1 3EA

Bellcom Ltd, Glasgow, G2 7DA

Bright Grey, Edinburgh, EH2 1BG

Business Stream, Edinburgh, EH10 6XH

Campbell Dallas, Paisley, PA1 3QS

Crieff Hydro Ltd, Perth, PH7 3LQ

Glasgow Marriott Hotel, Glasgow, G3 8RR

HLM Architects, Glasgow, G2 2SD

Kwik-Fit Insurance, Uddingston, G71 5PU

Selex Galileo, Edinburgh, EH5 2XS

The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year:

Churchill Drilling Tools, Aberdeen, AB1 19Q

flexlife, Aberdeen, AB21 9BG

Heritage Portfolio, Edinburgh, EH6 4HJ

IDE Group, Edinburgh, EH3 7DX

Innis and Gunn, Edinburgh, EH3 8EG

Maxymiser, Edinburgh, EH3 7XE

Odin Consulting Engineers, Glasgow, G4 0HW

SgurrEnergy, Glasgow, G2 4GZ

SynGro Ltd, West Lothian, EH54 7GA

Totseat Limited, Edinburgh, EH3 6DY

About The National Business Awards for Scotland. The National Business Awards for Scotland, sponsored by Orange, is United Business Media’s flagship business recognition platform with its particular emphasis on success, innovation and ethical business. For further information, go to www.businessawardsforscotland.com.

James Watt and Martin Dickie - BrewDog, Lloyds TSB Scotland, beCogent and Kwik-Fit Insurance Services were among the companies whose successful feats of business and commerce were celebrated at the 2008 National Business Awards for Scotland, sponsored by Orange. More than 500 business leaders, press and other VIPs attended the glittering gala ceremony and dinner at the Hilton Glasgow Hotel hosted by BBC’s David Robertson.

About United Business Media UBM focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetisation of B2B communities and markets. UBM’s businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities - from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists – with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.