SCOTLAND’S top family firms were celebrated last night at The Herald’s Scottish Family Business Awards in association with Business Gateway.

The event saw the likes of Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group, Anderson Maguire Funeral Directors and Robert Graham and Graham’s the Family Dairy take home awards.

The event was hosted by Sanjeev Kohli and attended by over 320 guests who gathered at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow to hear keynote speaker Jeanette Forbes from the PCL Group and find out who had won.

Hugh Lightbody, from Business Gateway National Unit, said “Well done to all of the winners and finalists. Every entry made the judging process extremely difficult but illustrated the high standards that many businesses in Scotland’s SME community operate to every day. Business Gateway continues to support thousands of SMEs every year, including many family businesses, and it is particularly pleasing to see two businesses supported by our advisers winning awards this year.”

The Outstanding Contribution Award, supported by Strathclyde Business School, was won by Dr Robert Graham and Grahams Family Dairy, for the valuable contribution he has made to the family business sector in Scotland.

Dr John Anderson, Strathclyde Business School, said: “Many congratulations to all the finalists who are fantastic representatives of the real wealth creators of Scotland. It was a great pleasure to have presented the award for outstanding contribution to Dr Robert Graham, chairman one of Scotland’s most successful family businesses – Graham’s The Family Dairy - 70 years of dairy farming, innovating and creating prosperity.”

The Scottish Family Business of the Year (Small/Medium) accolade, supported by Clydesdale Bank, went to Anderson Maguire Funeral Directors.

Brian Colquhoun, Clydesdale Bank said: “The Scottish Family Business Awards is one of highlights of the business calendar and yet again, we saw some fantastic business talent on show. Congratulations to all those who were nominated and of course all of the winners. I would encourage all family businesses, large or small, to get involved next year.”

The Scottish Family Business of the Year (Large), supported by Craig Corporate, went to DRG – Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group.

Tom Craig, from Craig Corporate, said: “The 2016 awards have again been a great success. In the category which we sponsored - Large Family Business of the Year - the quality of the finalists was particularly high and we were delighted for DRG – Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group who emerged as worthy winners. The awards are a fantastic way to celebrate the importance of family businesses in Scotland and having worked with family businesses for over 30 years, Craig Corporate is once again delighted to have sponsored the event.”

Business Gateway supported the Fastest Growing Family Business Award, which was awarded to Campbell & Kennedy.

The Business Innovation award, supported by Campbell Dallas, was presented to Douglas Laing & Co for its use of branding and marketing.

Fraser Campbell from Campbell Dallas, said, “Once again the winners and finalists at The Herald’s Family Business Awards demonstrated their ability to embrace innovation, strategic thinking, re-invention and continuous development to help transform and grow their businesses for the future.”

This year the International Growth Award, supported by Burness Paull, was awarded to RP Adam (Arpal Group) which employs more than 100 people in the UK and Middle East.

Grant Stevenson, from Burness Paull, said: “I’d like to congratulate all winners of the Scottish Family Business Awards. I was extremely impressed by the strength of submissions in each category, and all the winners should be very proud of their achievements. At Burness Paull we were delighted to sponsor the International Growth Award again this year, as this category recognises the enviable position Scottish businesses have in the global marketplace. In particular it highlights how innovative and ambitious our family business sector is. I look forward to hearing of the future success of all nominees.”

The Customer Service Excellence Award, supported by TL Dallas, was scooped by Scotlight Group for impressive customer satisfaction.

Bernard Dunn, from TL Dallas, Glasgow, said: “What a night last night, to celebrate family businesses, large and small. Their commitment to their businesses, people and customers was plain to see and this shone through across many of the winners. It was great to see so many new finalists and winners, which shows that these awards are becoming larger and more prestigious year by year. We are delighted to be part of it, and can’t wait for next year already.”

The Green Family Business of the Year, new for 2016, was given to Elan Hair Design.

Robin Stevenson, of sponsor The William Tracey Group, said: “The William Tracey Group is delighted to have sponsored The Herald Scottish Family Business Awards, an event which recognises the success of the diverse, dynamic and innovative family business sector. It has been a privilege to celebrate the outstanding successes of local business which make a significant contribution to the wider economy. The quality and standard of finalists was exceptionally high, all finalists should be proud of their achievements.”

The awards also celebrate family businesses that play vital roles in rural communities. This year the Rural Family Business Award (Small/Medium) supported by Supplier Development Programme went to two businesses Hutton Stone Co. Ltd and Scotlight Group.

The Rural Family Business (Large) was handed to Gleaner Oils, judges being impressed with their staff of 190 and the support they provide for their employees.

Gillian Cameron, Supplier Development Programme, said: “We are delighted to have been involved in this year’s awards and congratulate all the winners, particularly Hutton Stone Co Ltd and Scotlight Group, the joint winners of the Rural Family Business (Small/Medium) category. The awards recognise the exceptional work of our family businesses and the contribution they make to their industries and to the wider Scottish community.”

Robbie Corbett, from Oakbank Products Ltd, the official drinks sponsors for the evening, said: “Attending The Herald Scottish Family Business Awards was a great experience and a wonderful opportunity to meet other family-run businesses. We had a great time and will certainly be attending again in the years to come. I would encourage anyone thinking of attending the awards in future to do so as it really highlights the calibre of business in Scotland.”

For full details of the evening, please visit, www.herald-events.com/familybusiness.

To get involved in the 2017 Herald Scottish Family Business Awards please contact Lynsay Wong on 0141 302 6082, or Lynsay.wong@heraldandtimes.co.uk.