THE 2020 Fife Business Awards, in association with principal sponsors Blackadders and University of Dundee: Graduate Apprenticeships, may have looked a little different this year, but the sheer talent from businesses throughout the region was palpable.

Taking the annual award ceremony online was a tough decision, but after businesses endured one of the toughest years on record the sentiment behind the awards felt more important than ever.

From a studio in Glasgow, Fred MacAulay (pictured) was a commendable host that kept all finalists, sponsors, and viewers entertained and engaged throughout the ceremony last Friday, 11 December.

A TEAM EFFORT

Sponsors and finalists enjoyed a Celebration of Fife box, courtesy of Condies Accountants and Advisors. The idea for the box was born out of the desire to bring people together and to share in the same experience, despite being in their own homes.

Condies Accountants and Advisors had initially been excited to give each of 2020 award winners some real VIP treatment in their - and Fife Business Awards first ever - Winners Press Room, where the winners would have been made to feel extra special. Instead, Condies chose to treat not just the winners, but also the sponsors and guests, to everything needed for a night of celebration.

“We are delighted to be involved in this year’s Fife Business Awards, looking at the business success stories that the Kingdom has to offer and hearing more about how businesses continue to adapt and thrive Thursday, December 17, 2020 DUNFERMLINE PRESS 33 in the current environment,” a representative at Condies explains.

A GOOD CAUSE

As a result of the 2020 Fife Business Awards, a number of charity causes have benefitted to funds equating £7000. Seescape and Brag Enterprises were the two charities chosen to receive all monies raised from the postponed March awards ceremony prize draw.

Fife Chamber made the decision to honour their pledge of giving much needed financial support to both charities, and will therefore be donating £2000 to both Seescape and Brag Enterprises.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Chief Executive of Fife Chamber of Commerce, Alan Mitchell says, “What a fabulous occasion. Being online didn’t stop anyone having a great time celebrating.

“The energy and the enthusiasm of all the finalists and the obvious delight of the award winners was palpable. Through their passion, hard work, energy and ambition, FBA winners have always been an inspiration for others. The ‘class of 2020’ certainly are inspirational and that will be so important in the challenging months that lie ahead.”

The 2020 FBA is brought in partnership with Blackadders and University of Dundee. Dr Judith Halliday, University of Dundee Graduate Apprenticeships, offers her congratulations to all winners, “We have taken great pride in being a part of this year’s awards, as we have been able to witness some of the fantastic work that is being carried out across Fife by so many hard working and inspirational businesses.” “It is this hard work, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit that makes the Kingdom of Fife what it is today.”

Donna Reynolds, Partner, Employment Law, at Blackadders echoes, “The awards are an excellent opportunity to showcase and give recognition to the individuals and businesses who are making a great contribution to the region.”

BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN Sponsored by Semefab 

THE WINNER: The Buffalo Farm

ABOUT THE WINNERS: Set up in 2005, The Buffalo Farm has Scotland’s largest herd of Water Buffalo.

ALSO NOMINATED: Fife College Stagecoach East Scotland

THE JUDGES SAID: With clear objectives, innovative approaches, responsiveness to market signals and personality, this was a textbook campaign. It exceeded all the criteria set for this award category and has achieved impressive business results.

Pic of Steve Mitchell winner attached.

BEST PERFORMING BUSINESS WITH OVER 50 EMPLOYEES Sponsored by EQ Chartered Accountants 

THE WINNER: Diageo

ABOUT THE WINNERS: Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with brands across spirits and beer.

ALSO NOMINATED: Gray & Adams Stagecoach East Scotland Lauriston Nursery

 THE JUDGES SAID: The company has achieved sector-leading, year-on-year performance improvements across all parts of the business, increasingly driven by significant shop-floor/operator ownership of key operational processes and decision making.

Pic of Aidan Finnegan Operations Manager at Diageo attached.

INSPIRATION AWARD Supported by MP Fife Ltd 

THE WINNER: Coul Brewing

ABOUT THE WINNERS: Coul Brewing Company is a family owned and operated craft beer microbrewery, founded in Glenrothes in 2017.

 THE JUDGES SAID: This business has, in a very short space of time, achieved remarkable results and levels of operational sophistication that sets a template and benchmark for any new business and aspiring entrepreneur. On this basis, the judges felt they deserved to be recognised for their efforts in the form of an Inspiration Award, created just for them. The Inspirational Award was made for Coul Brewing,

Pic of Andrew Dean is Head of Operations at the Brewery in Glenrothes attached

BEST SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP Sponsored by Exxon Mobil

THE WINNER: Hand Picked by CR Smith

ABOUT THE WINNERS: An employer sponsorship programme for young people.

ALSO NOMINATED: Fife College Oceaneering Technip FMC

THE JUDGES SAID: This exciting venture provides a template for any aspiring partnership between schools and local businesses. It is embedded and thus sustainable, and it focuses on giving pupils honest and practical insights into the world of work that will make a real difference.

Pic of Pauline McGeevor, Project manager, Handpicked by CR Smith attached

BEST PERFORMING BUSINESS WITH 10 TO 50 EMPLOYEES Sponsored by Thomson Cooper Accountants 

THE WINNER: The Buffalo Farm

ABOUT THE WINNERS: Now developed into a full butchery business.

ALSO NOMINATED: Holiday Inn Express, Glenrothes VeriCall 

THE JUDGES SAID: The founder of the business had the ambition to make it “something to be proud of” and he has succeeded. The company has been able to consistently grow its sales and expand its markets, it is able to successfully see and exploit new opportunities.

Pic of Winner Steve Mitchell on his farm with some of his Buffalo.

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Sponsored by Rennies Coaches 

THE WINNER: Boogie Bounce Buckhaven

ABOUT THE WINNERS: Boogie Bounce is a complete exercise programme.

ALSO NOMINATED: Dunnikier Park Golf Club Kingdom FM Smith Anderson

THE JUDGES SAID: From its inception, this company has consistently sought every opportunity it can to ‘give back’ to the local community from which it came and which has made its tremendous success possible. They live and breathe community

Pic of Caroline Cunningham, Fitness Instructor at Boogie Bounce.

EXCELLENCE IN CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION Sponsored by MHA Henderson Loggie 

THE WINNER: Bluebox Aviation Systems

ABOUT THE WINNERS: Bluebox specialises in software solutions for the aviation industry.

ALSO NOMINATED: Kingdom Housing Association Growers Garden Managed IT Experts

THE JUDGES SAID: This is an impressive business with a constant and targeted company-wide focus on product and process innovation to improve its customers’ experiences and open up new markets and revenue streams for the company

Pic of CEO of Bluebox Kevin Clark was thrilled his company won.

EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE Sponsored by Diageo 

THE WINNER: Lime Salon

ABOUT THE WINNERS: The Lime Salon Group consists of three salons, the biggest of which is in Dunfermline. Opened by John and Ryan Baillie-Walker.

 ALSO NOMINATED: CORGI HomePlan Fife Migrants Forum Bay & Bridge

 THE JUDGES SAID: How to create a great customer experience has clearly been first and foremost in its thoughts in every major decision and at every significant stage of the company’s business planning.

Pic of John and Ryan Baillie-Walker own and manage Lime Salons

EXCELLENCE IN PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT 20+ EMPLOYEES Sponsored by Leviton 

THE WINNER: MP Fife Ltd

ABOUT THE WINNERS: MP Fife Ltd is an electrical installation and maintenance company that specialise in Domestic Rewires, Testing and Inspection services.

ALSO NOMINATED: Diageo Lauriston Nursery

THE JUDGES SAID: The business has a professional and structured approach to developing its staff and embedding the future skills that it needs that go well beyond its peers in the industry. Quite simply, it plans training well and delivers it very effectively.

Pic of N Drew McIndoe Managing Director at MP Fife with Lindsey Baxter Business Support Manager

GREENEST BUSINESS Sponsored by Kettle Produce Ltd 

THE WINNER: Diageo

ABOUT THE WINNERS: Diageo produce a collection of over 200 alcohol brands.

ALSO NOMINATED: MWP (Muir Walker Pride) Jo Macfarlane Luxury Candles Willow & Plum Soap Co

THE JUDGES SAID: They passionately presented their impressive environmental ambitions, plans and successes. The site has structures and processes in place that are driving outstanding environmental performance across the business without compromising operational excellence.

Picture of Jay Christie is the Enviromental Manager at Diageo.

BEST PERFORMING BUSINESS WITH UNDER 10 EMPLOYEES Sponsored by Ingenico Group 

THE WINNER: DOS (Discounted Office Supplies)

ABOUT THE WINNERS: DOS is a family business supplying local businesses with consumable goods.

ALSO NOMINATED: Coul Brewing Company Dunnikier Park Golf Club

THE JUDGES SAID: The management team has built an exemplary business through a combination of hard work, giving customers a great deal, strategic acquisitions and well thought out organic growth, and the company is now perfectly positioned to see impressive sales growth.

Pic of  Roger and Chris Hunt, Directors at DOS in Dalgety Bay.attached.

OUTSTANDING BUSINESS Sponsored by Fife Economy Partnership 

THE WINNER: Exterity

ABOUT THE WINNERS: Exterity are a provider of IP Video, Digital Signage and Guest Experience technology.

THE JUDGES SAID: This company is undoubtedly one of Fife’s great business successes of recent years, with its international expansion, technological leadership and its commitment to creating a highly skilled and engaged workforce, while never losing sight of its roots in, and obligation to give something back to, Fife. Great businesses have won this award in the past, and the latest recipient is a worthy successor to them.

Pic of Colin Farquhar, co-founder and CEO of Exterity winning the award for Outstanding Business at the Fife Business Awards.