Women-led businesses from across Scotland were recognised in front of a sell-out audience at Thursday night’s Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards 2025.
The Awards ceremony took place at Glasgow’s voco Grand Central Hotel, with established and emerging businesses being celebrated in ten categories. The keynote speech was delivered by Annie Stewart, co-founder of Highland textile and interiors brand ANTA.
In notable highlights, Fort William based The Highland Soap Company was named Outstanding Business of the Year, sponsored by HFL Holistic Financial Leadership, whilst Oscha Slings, based in Midlothian took the Sustainable Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Scottish Enterprise.
Scotland’s most northern point was acknowledged on the night, with Shetland based Seabirds-and-Seals picking up the Service Excellence Business of the Year Award. Heading westwards, Kintyre Veterinary Services in Campbeltown received the Rural Business of the Year Award, sponsored by The TEFL Org.
Nami Surgical, a spin-out from the University of Glasgow developing miniaturised ultrasonic surgical scalpels, was named Business to Watch of the Year, sponsored by HFL Holistic Financial Leadership. Studio Lutalica, a non-profit design studio dedicated to uplifting women and LGBTQ+ communities, picked up the Purpose-Led Business of the Year Award.
Carolyn Currie, CEO of Women’s Enterprise Scotland, commented: “Huge congratulations to the finalists, and ultimately the winners at last night’s awards.
Their determination to achieve their goals is greatly admired by us all. Scottish businesses in general have faced increasing pressures over the past few years. Add to this the additional challenges faced by women-owned and led businesses to gain a fair, proportionate share of business support resources and we rightly celebrate their innovation, talents and vision in achieving success.
The Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards showcase women business leaders who embody our country’s diverse, innovative and progressive business ecosystem.
These visible and vocal business leaders are Scotland’s future. They are entrepreneurial in spirit, and precise in action. These women are exactly the role models to inspire our next generation of business leaders. At a time when our economy is under increasing pressure, it has never been more critical to unlock women’s economic potential by closing the persistent gender gap in Scotland’s business landscape.”
The Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards was attended by over 250 guests from across Scotland and supported by Business Gateway, Scottish Enterprise, HFL Holistic Financial Leadership, YOURGB, The TEFL Org and Bright Red Triangle at Edinburgh Napier University.
Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES) was established in 2012 as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) working to close the gender gap in enterprise participation. The WES vision is for Scotland to be world leading in its approach to supporting women business owners, enabling equal access to resources and opportunities as they develop successful and sustainable businesses.
WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE SCOTLAND AWARDS 2025
Rural Business of the Year – Kintyre Veterinary Services
Sponsored by The TEFL Org
Business to Watch of the Year – Nami Surgical
Sponsored by HFL Holistic Financial Leadership
Sustainable Business of the Year – Oscha Slings
Sponsored by Scottish Enterprise
Purpose-Led Business of the Year – Studio Lutalica
Innovation Business of the Year – GLITCHERS Limited
Start-up Business of the Year – LOOP Agencies
Sponsored by Business Gateway
Service Excellence Business of the Year – Seabirds-and-Seals – The Original Noss Boat Tours
Growth Business of the Year – XEYEX Ltd
Inspiring Leader of the Year – The Dance Business Coach
Sponsored by YOURGB
Outstanding Business of the Year – The Highland Soap Co. Ltd
Sponsored by HFL Holistic Financial Leadership
