PICTURES: Celebrations at 2022 Highland Business Awards organised by Inverness Chamber of Commerce
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It was an afternoon of celebration as organisations from across the region were acknowledged for their achievements.
The 2022 Highland Business Awards took place at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness, where businesses were recognised last Friday for strides made in areas such as environmental sustainability, innovation and employee wellbeing.
Organised by Inverness Chamber of Commerce, the keynote speaker was Stephen Leckie, president of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce.
He gave an encouraging and relevant talk to the business community on the challenges that are currently being faced.
Those who won awards, were delighted to be recognised by others in the region for their success over the past 12 months.
Ben Hosie, product manager at sfG Mentornet, winner of the digital initiative category, said: “We are delighted to have been nominated along with many other great businesses. To win means so much to us and we get to see how important mentoring is to many from all walks of life.”
Winner of the young employee of the year award, Grace Macleod of Ness Walk hotel, said: “I was completely surprised and honoured. I feel over the moon and really excited.
“I wouldn’t have won without the support and guidance of Ness Walk colleagues. I couldn’t have done it without them. My future lies in hospitality because that’s where my passion is.”
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said that the judges found it hard to pick between all the businesses that had been shortlisted and provided some words on the cost-of-living crisis.
Mr Nicol said: “We had tough choices to make and it led to worthy winners.
“For the business community just now, it’s tough but it’s rewarding.
“In general, we’ve got to see this through. This is where our innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience will be tested to the full. But I believe we’ll get through this.
“We really need to collaborate and partner up in ways that we haven’t done before to benefit each business and also for the benefit of the region to prove that we have the resilient, dynamic economy that underpins all that we want our society to be.”
