Two Edinburgh businesses were named winners at the British Business Awards on Thursday night (30th April) alongside some of the UK’s most recognisable and leading companies at the event, which featured special guest George Clooney and helped to raise almost £2 million for homelessness charity Social Bite.
The title of Legal Firm of the Year went to Shepherd & Wedderburn, while Large Business of the Year was awarded to homebuilder Miller Homes.
Major multi-nationals including AstraZeneca, Octopus Energy and Vanguard Asset Management were among the winners at the ceremony, which boasted a glittering line-up of celebrity guests including comperes Rob Brydon and Elaine C Smith, Keynote Speaker Sir Bob Geldof and international superstar, George Clooney, who did a fireside chat with Rob Brydon.
Other winners included Mackies of Scotland, Scottish Power and Morrison Community Care. The winning companies were named as judge’s top picks from the inaugural British Business Leaders List, a new designation recognising the organisations setting the benchmark for modern enterprise and shaping the UK’s economic future.
All 150 companies shortlisted this year, were independently evaluated across five core pillars: business performance, innovation, workforce and culture, customer impact, and contribution to society and the wider economy.
The highest performing businesses across all categories were then selected by 18 key figures from British industry, chaired by the former CEO of Unilever, Alan Jope CBE, and Emma Crystal, CEO of Coutts Bank.
Gleneagles
George Clooney
Chosen charity partner, Social Bite, will benefit from the almost £2 million raised at the event and a fundraising dinner which took place on Wednesday (29th April) at Gleneagles Hotel, allowing it to continue delivering a range of services to people who are experiencing homelessness.
The charity’s services range from free food services, employment programmes, and social enterprise coffee shops which generate money to support the amazing work Social Bite does across the UK.
Additionally, the generous donations from eventgoers will also support the Social Bite Villages which offer quality, bespoke built housing with around-the-clock support for people experiencing homelessness.
Josh Littlejohn, founding partner of the British Business Awards said: “The huge turnout to the awards tonight is testament to the strength in the business community, and the extremely high standard of the winners speaks to the strength and bright future of our economy.
“A huge thank you to all the winners, those who came to celebrate with us, everyone who donated, and, of course, to our wonderful keynote speakers and hosts throughout the evening.”
Alan Jope CBE, Chair of the judging panel, said: “Congratulations to all the winners! It was a tough shortlist – the calibre was extremely high, so the winners were up against some impressive competition.
“The money generously donated by guests at the awards will go a long way to supporting people in our communities who need it thanks to Social Bite.”
Rick Haythornthwaite, NatWest Group Chair, said: “The British Business Awards were a fantastic celebration of the ambition, creativity and excellence that is at the heart of so many great British businesses.
“It was fantastic to pay heed to the creativity, innovation and enterprising spirit of so many people all while raising vital funds for Social Bite which does such great work throughout the UK.”
For further information on the awards visit www.britishbusinessawards.co.uk
To find out more about Social Bite or donate, visit https://www.social-bite.co.uk/
Follow @britishbusinessawards on socials for pics from the night and join the conversation with #BritishBusinessAwards and #BBA.
