PUBLIC VOTING NOW OPEN!
We're inviting members to vote for the business they think should win. Tell us who your Champion of the region is from our five catagories, Net Zero, Future Skills, Digital Innovation, Internationalisation and People Pioneer.
Public voting is now open and will run from the 18th August to the 1st September so please vote for your winner in either one or all of the categories, get behind the company you think should win!
Nominations can be made using the forms found at the bottom of the page!
Award Categories
We're delighted to have the support of Michelin Development Ltd on our Chamber Business Champion Awards. Part of the Michelin Group's CSR programme and set up in 2002 its aim is to assist the development of SMEs in the manufacturing, engineering and service sectors (B2B) throughout Dundee & Angus by providing the necessary support and funding to encourage the growth of employment.
Each category will have a winner announced at our Champions Lunch on 5th September, one of the five will also be crowned as overall winner on the day.
Is your business supporting the region on its mission to become more sustainable?
Sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland
Zero Waste Scotland exists to lead Scotland to use products and resources responsibly, focusing on where we can have the greatest impact on climate change.
How are you supporting the future skills of your workforce and future workforce?
Sponsored by Castle Water
At Castle Water we’re committed to providing businesses with market-leading water services.
We're the UK’s largest independent business water retailer, with the scale to compete nationally, and the flexibility of being independent of any network owner.
We offer a service to suit a range of requirements, from large multi-site customers with complex needs to SMEs, start-ups, and sole traders.
Have you invested in integrating digital technology into your business?
Sponsored by DACC
Are you leading the way internationally in our region? Product or services that shine a light on Dundee and Angus?
Sponsored by CAM Ventures
The CAM Ethos
Our ethos is to implement strategies that are simple, modern and effective resulting in increased performance across all areas. Whether your business is a start-up or already established, we take the time to understand your business and focus on developing strategies that will make the most significant gains first. When you work with CAM Ventures you work with highly engaged individuals that want to deliver, but want to deliver in a way that is bold, creative and fun.
Find out more HERE
Are you investing in your people, developing them or have a workplace that is led by your people?
Sponsored by STV
STV is a Scottish free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the STV Group. It is made up of the Central Scotland and Northern Scotland Channel 3 public broadcaster licences, formerly known as Scottish Television (now legally STV Central Ltd) and Grampian Television (now legally STV North Ltd) respectively.
Dates for your diary
14th June - Awards Launched
12th July - Nominations closed
21st July - Shortlisted Businesses Announced
14th & 15th August - Pitch Day for Finalists.
18th August - 1st September - Public Voting
5th September - Awards Lunch @ Carnoustie Golf Hotel
PUBLIC VOTING
Public voting is now open and will run from the 18th August to the 1st September so please vote for your winner in either one or all of the categories, get behind the company you think should win!
Utilitay said they should win because:
Our mission to support businesses through education and awareness along with our championing of other Tayside businesses and products not only benefits us as a company but also provides a more sustainable and carbon reducing economy across the Region and beyond.
Every £1 saved on energy can be reinvested into businesses, jobs, products and services which directly impacts the wider econ system and economy.
Re positioning from a brokerage that makes money from increased energy consumption and prices to a company that champions energy reduction and improves other businesses financial resilience and cash flow has been at the heart of the changes implemented by MD Craig Elder following the heart breaking conversations he was having with SMEs following the dramatic increases in price in 2022.
We champion SMEs and our local communities.
Here's the Plan said they should win because:
Here’s The Plan has championed the region’s Net-Zero push and has supported Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce in various projects within this field. We love being members of the Chamber and engaging with the network and trying to support whenever we can. Two members of our team participated in the litter pick at Broughty Ferry beach which was very enjoyable and a great opportunity to meet other people in the region with similar values. In the past, we have been very active in the Circular Tayside group hosted by the Chamber, in which we have received a silver certificate, and have offered advice to many other members on the challenges of sustainability.
With the Scottish and UK Government targets looming ever larger, and with a lot of conflicting information available to businesses looking to start on their Net-Zero journey, we are pleased to offer a joined-up service that provides a bespoke roadmap to what sustainability looks like to each individual business, considering their resource, budget, and timeframes.
Forbes of Kingennie said they should win because:
Given the boost of investment over the last 2 years, we feel we have implemented and installed projects which do not only benefit the business but also the guests visiting the resort. The projects we undertook have put us at an advantage to our other competitors in the industry and with another proposal to include solar panels and ac units in 2024 allows us to reach a further goal towards our Net Zero.
Hillcrest said they should win because:
Hillcrest consider ourselves ambassadors for developing our young workforce and influencers of our future workforce. A key part of this commitment is our Young People’s Group. Our group meets monthly and provides our young people with a forum where they can develop their own potential and which gives them the opportunity to contribute to important decision making processes within our organisation. Unfortunately we cannot put a price on the commitment Hillcrest provides to our young and future workforce however we are keen to consider our social value around this part of our business. Social Value looks beyond price alone and considers the collective benefit to the community. Social Value includes such things as happiness, well-being, inclusion, equality, employment and environment therefore our commitment to our young workforce encompasses a number of those. In relation to our work experience Hillcrest’s social value equates to £35,092 in monetary terms and for apprenticeship recruitment it accounts for a Social Value of £143, 568. These figures coupled with all the other social value indicators is astounding and certainly contribute to Hillcrest being an employer of choice for our local young people.
High School of Dundee said they should win because:
The High School of Dundee’s Innovation and Enterprise courses are not only unique within Dundee schools, but across Scotland and the UK as a whole. No other school routinely schedules such interdisciplinary, collaborative, longitudinal learning opportunities into their curriculum.
The incorporation of year-long cooperative learning projects is something that is usually left in primary schooling. The context to develop and market their own Mars Missions is both inspirational and aspirational, yet current and pertinent to these pupils - this will happen in their lifetimes. Few schools are embedding future skills in this way and the High School of Dundee’s STEM Innovation and Enterprise course could serve as a local and national exemplar to other schools and educational authorities, particularly in light of the recent news that the current national qualifications authority (SQA) is to be scrapped in favour of a more skills-based holistic assessment system. Winning the Future Skills Champion Award would provide welcome recognition and credibility to our cause and help promote and share this new future-led pedagogical approach within the region and beyond.
McIntyres Chocolate Systems said they should win because:
MCS deserves to win the this Award due to their exceptional commitment to fostering skills development and providing valuable opportunities for growth within their workforce. Through their efforts, MCS has trained four apprentices, one graduate, and an accountant, showcasing their investment in developing talent and providing individuals with valuable professional experience.
By actively engaging with Dundee and Angus College courses, MCS not only demonstrates their dedication supporting higher education institutions but also their commitment to equipping their employees with the latest industry knowledge and expertise. This collaboration allows MCS to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and maintain a highly skilled workforce, ensuring their continued success in a competitive marketplace.
MCS's training initiatives enable apprentices to gain hands-on experience in various aspects of the business, fostering a well-rounded skill set and preparing them for a successful career in the industry. By offering these opportunities, MCS not only contributes to reducing youth unemployment but also plays a vital role in developing future leaders.
MCS's investment in talent development not only benefits their employees but strengthens the local community and industry as a whole. Their commitment to supporting apprenticeships and providing educational opportunities positions them as leaders in promoting skills development.
Voting Continued
Public voting is now open and will run from the 18th August to the 1st September so please vote for your winner in either one or all of the categories, get behind the company you think should win!
Clootie Mctoot said they should win because:
Over the past 6 years I have grown my business from the ground. I have helped to increase economic growth within the UK and Internationally . We have a good reputation are well known within the local area and our brand awareness is increasing globally. I like to think that my story is inspirational for entrepreneurs. That if you believe in your ideas , love what you do, work hard, know your capabilities, collaborate with others, then nothing is impossible!
Al Maktoum College said they should win because:
We should win the Internationalisation Champion Award for our chosen category because of our unwavering commitment to promoting intercultural understanding, fostering global partnerships, and creating a positive impact on our staff, customers, and suppliers.
Our college has demonstrated exceptional dedication to internationalisation through strategic collaborations with local educational institutions, businesses, and community organizations. These partnerships have not only enhanced the educational experience for our staff and students but have also facilitated economic growth in the region by providing valuable opportunities for local suppliers.
We have created a vibrant multicultural environment that attracts students from around the world, offering them a quality education in Islamic studies and equipping them with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a global society. Our staff has undergone cross-cultural training and professional development, ensuring they possess the necessary expertise to engage with international stakeholders effectively.
By championing internationalisation, we have opened doors to global markets, promoted cultural exchange, and fostered mutual respect and understanding. Our efforts have positioned our college and the region as leaders in intercultural dialogue and educational excellence, making us deserving recipients of the Internationalisation Champion Award.
MacIntyres Chocolate Systems said they should win because:
Macintyre Chocolate Systems should win the International Champion Award due to their remarkable success in expanding their presence across the globe, with operations spanning over 114 countries. This feat demonstrates their ability to effectively penetrate and cater to diverse international markets.
Additionally, Macintyre Chocolate Systems' commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability sets them apart from competitors. They continuously develop cutting-edge technologies and techniques, allowing them to produce high-quality chocolate refiners that meet the evolving demands of customers worldwide.
In summary, Macintyre Chocolate Systems should win the International Champion Award due to their impressive presence in numerous countries, their commitment to innovation, their collaborations with local partners, and their achievements in elevating the reputation of the region globally. Their global reach, combined with their dedication to excellence, positions them as a worthy contender for this esteemed award.
Clootie Mctoot said they should win because:
I am not sure why I should win above other companies as I am sure there are a huge amount of companies within Tayside that should win this award. Although I would love to win an award like this
I like to think I make a difference to my employees, their families, support teams and to the community! My business is not all about profitability it is also about implementing values and developing a diverse workforce. A workforce where inclusivity is paramount!. A united team is a winning team!
I developed , implemented and have a proved recruitment model for inclusivity. We recruit in a very different way often recruiting wild cards!. I believe if other companies were to implement our recruitment model the skills gap would reduce far quicker and they would have the most reliable and committed workforce.
Street Soccer Scotland said they should win because:
As an organisation that prides itself of ensuring everyone is part of the #SameTeam, we continue to work tirelessly to provide a new angle of providing support to people that are in need.
Our holistic approach is to ensure that we can provide the most efficient service by enabling a human-to-human connection first, knowing that operational and facility duties are completed by the digital solutions in place.
We believe we have shaped numerous platforms to help the local community at need by knowing the end user has the best service and experience possible. This award would be to celebrate the teamwork that every single person that has engaged in the centre in the past 12 months.
Shaper Caper said they should win becuase:
We are a creative organisation that ‘don’t just think out of the box but creates a new one’- as it has been said about us. Since 2020, we have worked with a counsellor to provide safe group spaces for discussion, as well as 1:1 private conversation to ensure our staff can be emotionally and mentally supported to achieve a personal and professional balance. The group discussions have led to identify further needs in the organisation, directing us to seek external consultancy services to design the next strategic plan, which acknowledges staff’s needs, including flexible working. We provide safe opportunities for discussions, listen, and devise means of actioning these with stakeholders.
We have two extra ‘Health and Wellbeing Days’ in addition to a larger than average annual leave allowance.
We are a learning organisation that turns potential crises into learning opportunities, swiftly adapting and responding to the needs of the environment. Our working approach is people-centred and people-led, with supported open spaces for people to develop their own practice and interests as part of their role and professional growth, including secondments and sabbatical leave.
Voting Continued
Public voting is now open and will run from the 18th August to the 1st September so please vote for your winner in either one or all of the categories, get behind the company you think should win!
M3Networks said they should win because:
Embarking on a complex software project is a major undertaking. Not to mention the cost (we've invested around £500k into this). I can't say how much time we've invested, only that it is 000's of hours.
We could have just carried on with our day-to-day business at m3. That would have been very easy, as the company is successful and growing year on year, even through the 'C' years (I won't say it!)
I feel we've been extremely innovative by working to create a solution for a problem that we experienced first hand. A solution that did not exist in the world before HighGround.io.
The feedback and interest we've generated with major players in the security sector globally shows we're on to a winner.
The best part is that HighGround.io is free to use. Of course there are paid levels for business that need more than the free option. But the free option still costs us money to provide. This shows our commitment to improving cyber security for all businesses.
Ryse Digital said they should win because:
I believe that Ryse Digital should win the Digital Innovation Champion Award because digital innovation is ingrained into our very being. We believe that all business owners should have access to a premium website that conveys to their customers exactly who they are and what they believe in and we are championing our own digital skills and philanthropy by giving back to those who have been a position that we have been in ourselves. We believe in using online platforms to streamline your business, automating processing that often take up time, leaving you time to do the bits you enjoy. We believe in creating digitally innovative websites that remove the admin from business owners, and allow the website to take care of the day to day tasks like renewing memberships, creating shipping labels, sending customers emails and more. We believe in using digital tools to keep our team motivated and on top of their tasks, and working together to meet all deadlines and targets. Ryse was built in a digital world and will continue to grow as the online space does.
Doqaru said they should win because:
We have worked with sales teams not just in Scotland and the UK but worldwide. We think Doqaru should win the Future Skills Champion Award because we are actively uplifting the sales function digital skills that sales teams and sales leaders need to be successful in the future.
Research shows that 80% of buyer and seller interactions will be on digital platforms by 2025, and we’re training commercial people on how to use platforms like LinkedIn to build relationships, identify their ideal customers, and generate sales leads. We’ve also developed a data-driven tool to identify gaps and opportunities within sales teams so we can provide support and training to fill those gaps.
We’ve partnered with a company in Ireland to develop sales education that matches and achieves those gaps and opportunities we find using the tool.
Sales is a function that is the lifeblood of any organisation, and the future team really is going to make or break the economy of not just Scotland and the UK, but certainly the world. We are pioneering and uplifting this function using technology, helping them develop the right skills using coaching mechanisms to ensure that we stand ready to reap the performance.