THE VERY best businesses in West Lothian with a flair and passion for innovation, ingenuity and entrepreneurship have been acclaimed at this year’s West Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards – the first ‘in person’ showcase awards gathering held by The Chamber since 2019.
Over 150 guests attended the sparkling Gala Dinner Awards Ceremony at The MacDonald Houston House Hotel, Uphall, to see Workflo Solutions pick up the prestigious Best Business Award, sponsored by The Glenmorangie Company.
The Livingston-based managed services and IT support service specialist was described by the judges as a ‘Beacon of Success’ for West Lothian which ‘continually excels in a highly competitive market’. The Award also recognised the company’s strong philanthropic and charitable ethos and its ability to exceed customer demand, under the guidance of founder and Managing Director, Michael Field.
Workflo Solutions was one of six award recipients across the evening.
The Innovation and Resilience Award sponsored by West Lothian Chamber – is presented to a business which demonstrated an innovative approach to resilience in response to business disruptions, overcoming challenges to thrive. It was won by Bathgate-based Fitwise Management Ltd, an employee-owned Professional Conference Organiser and developer of an online platform to host virtual events.
Pumpherston environmental specialist Brewster Brothers picked up The Environmental Champion Award, sponsored by Shin-Etsu Handotai Europe. This award recognises companies that have made changes to have a positive impact on the environment. Brewster Brothers directly mitigates the detrimental impact from construction, demolition, and excavation industries by recycling waste aggregates, having introduced a ‘unique backload system’ where recycled aggregates have helped them save over 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The Employer of the Year accolade, sponsored by Joint Force Alba and The Chamber, went to Livingston-based accountancy firm, Glen Drummond Ltd. employer with a commitment to staff through their approach to the learning and development. The judges cited Glen Drummond’s strategy to help each employee to reach their full potential by taking a personal and tailored approach to learning. This has led to more enthusiastic and engaged staff and ultimately better retention and better business performance.
The DYW (Developing the Young Workforce) Regional Employer Award sponsored by DYW-West Lothian Regional Group, is presented to an employer who has demonstrated commitment to inspiring and developing young people in West Lothian.
This year, the award went to whisky distillers, Glenmorangie Alba.
The company strongly believe in the apprenticeship family that gives all young people a solid foundation of transferable skills with practical experience that will support their future career aspirations.
Glenmorangie recently committed to “‘The Young Person’s Guarantee’ to ensure they continue to develop and work with the local community to create the best possible talent pipeline for a sustainable future.
This year’s Shona Sibbald Woman in Business Award, which recognises the outstanding contribution to the local economy made by a businesswoman, went to Jackie Galbraith, Principal ofWest Lothian College since 2018. Her vision for the College is to develop a highly skilled resilient and enterprising workforce and by modernising the College facilities to make sure right for the courses for industries served.
Commenting on the 2022 awards Billy MacLeod, President, West Lothian Chamber, said.
“My sincere congratulations to all the winners and I also extend my thanks to every company who entered this year’s awards. Since our last in-person gathering to celebrate the very best of West Lothian’s burgeoning business community in 2019, we’ve had the global pandemic and its impact on our personal and professional lives will never leave us.
However, the resilience and ability of our West Lothian businesses to bounce back and achieve remarkable growth and prosperity is reflected in the high calibre of entrants we saw this year. It was humbling to witness a bumper crop of entries, reflecting the increasing popularity and continued credibility of these awards and the ongoing success of our local businesses.”
Keynote address at the awards was given by John Ward, Chief Executive, Livingston Football Club. As part of the evening, a Charity Draw was held to raise £1400 for local charity West Lothian Financial Inclusion Network.
The charity aims to ensure that all West Lothian residents are aware of their financial choices and promotes access to financial advice, financial products, and other services, particularly for the most excluded social groups; essential at a time when so many are affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
Full details on all winners, finalists and award sponsors can be found at –
