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24/10/2008 - Striking a blow for the best in Scots business



The line-up of the winners at the Glasgow Business Awards, from left: Laurence Clarke for Taylor Clarke Partnership; David Bunton for Biopta; Jackie Lindsay for Capita Life & Pensions; Jim McColl for Clyde Blowers; Paul Slater for Slaters; Claire Ferrie for beCogent; Lesley Ballantyne for John Lewis Partnership; Fiona McBain from Scottish Friendly Assurance; Alastair Watson for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport; Graeme Gibson for Radisson SAS Glasgow.

MULTI-MILLIONAIRE Jim McColl was on top of the world after his company Clyde Blowers took the main award at the Glasgow Business Awards. The city's business elite saw the company walk away with the Bank of Scotland award for most outstanding business. And Glasgow retailer Slater Menswear won the title of Glasgow's favourite business - as voted for by readers of the Evening Times. Champagne corks popped as Mr McColl celebrated a double win with Clyde Blowers also winning Business Deal of the Year.

But the man whose "fantastic" leadership was praised, confessed he almost missed his big moment after only flying in from China on the day of the ceremony. He said: "It's good having your success recognised by your peers in the Glasgow business community, particularly at a time when there is so much bad news. The butcher's son from Carmunnock, who left school at 16 and is now one of Scotland's richest men, added: "It shows that if you make up your mind to do something, there's always a way to do it."

Clyde Blowers had a spectacular year, buying city engineering firm Weir Pumps and four separate businesses from a US firm in a complex $1billion (£500million) deal.

Last night's glittering awards ceremony in the Crowne Plaza hotel was hosted by TV presenter Bryan Burnett with guests taken by double decker buses to an after-show party at the Alea casino.

The awards were sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate, hosted by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and partners included the Evening Times. Despite the credit crunch, there was much to celebrate. As Claire Dunning, president of the Chamber, told around 400 guests: "Nobody can deny this is a difficult time but your imagination, resolve and determination will help see us through the present downturn."

Evening Times deputy editor Tony Carlin was delighted our readers voted Slater Menswear as Glasgow's favourite business. He said: "Slaters is a Glasgow institution and well-deserving of this award." Owner Paul Slater said he wished his father, Ralph, the founder of the business, was alive to see the company triumph. He said: "It's a fabulous honour. My father was born in the Gorbals and he would have absolutely loved this. As I walked through the shop floor tonight in my Slater's dinner suit, all the staff were going good luck' so I'm really chuffed for them."

Slater now has 24 branches across the UK, stocks 20,000 suits at a time and has made the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest menswear store in the world.

Stuart Yuill, of Bank of Scotland Corporate, said: "The Glasgow Business Awards has highlighted that Glasgow has a tremendous calibre of businesses. The awards also allow us to recognise that Glasgow has a wealth of business talent. I have no doubt this talent will continue to grow and diversify, ensuring Glasgow is a key player in the wider business world."

Richard Cairns, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "Our nominees and winners should be held up as examples of business excellence and reminders that there still exist great opportunities to those who have courage, ability and the right business offering."


Paul Slater is flanked by host Bryan Burnett, left, and Evening Times Deputy Editor Tony Carlin who presented the award for Glasgow's Favourite Business

Fiona McBain was honoured as Business Leader of the Year by Dominic McVey, of Crowne Plaza

Claire Ferrie, of beCogent Ltd, collected the Excellence in Skills and Learning Award from Aileen Ponton of The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership (SCQFP)

David Bunton, of Biopta Ltd, accepts the International award from councillor George Ryan

Jim McColl got two awards for Clyde Blowers and is seen with Claire Dunning, of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Stuart Yuill of the Bank of Scotland

ALL THE WINNERS


Bank of Scotland Corporate Award for Most Outstanding Business

Clyde Blowers Ltd - a multi-national business with a portfolio of engineering manufacturing companies.

Glasgow Business Award for Business Deal of the Year

Clyde Blowers Ltd - the group announced a complex and groundbreaking $1billion deal to acquire an entire business unit from American Fortune 500 company Textron.

Evening Times Award for Glasgow's Favourite Business

Slaters - A Scottish institution and few Glasgow men are without a Slaters suit in the wardrobe.

Glasgow Business Award for Best Performing Business (over 25 employees)

John Lewis Partnership, Glasgow - The store has had continued growth over the last three years - 2007 was a year of record growth.

Glasgow Business Award for Best Performing Business (25 employees or under)

Taylor Clarke Partnership Ltd - A values based, independent, employee owned, leadership and organisational development consultancy who has succeeded in building strong relationships at home and abroad and has acheived steady growth and financial stability. Their turnover has increased six fold over the past seven years.

Glasgow Business Award for International Business

Biopta Ltd - A life sciences company spun out from Glasgow Caledonian University, it provides contract research for pharmaceutical companies. Sales doubled year-on-year with 72% outwith the UK.

Glasgow Business Award for Creative Marketing

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport - Created and ran the UK's first subway festival in April. Passenger numbers rose 10,000 over two days.

Glasgow Business Award for Business Leader of the Year

Fiona McBain, Chief Executive, Scottish Friendly Assurance - Chief executive for nearly two years, an inspirational leader in a crucial period of change.

Glasgow Business Award for Sustainable Development

Radisson SAS Glasgow Hotel - Five-Star hotel implemented initiatives resulting in benefits to the environment, including a recycling scheme with Glasgow City Council.

Glasgow Business Award for Contribution to Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs)

Capita Life & Pensions - The UK's largest business process outsourcer worked with JobCentre Plus and other agencies to identify untapped potential in the lone parent, mature and long term unemployment sectors.

Glasgow Business Award for Excellence in Skills & Learning

BeCogent Ltd - Employs 2750 staff across four call centres in West Scotland and averaged 13 days' training per employee last year.

Article available at Evening Times

 

23/10/2008 - Glasgow firms going for gongs


EVENING Times Award for Glasgow's Favourite Business and Glasgow Business Award for Excellence in Skills and Learning - these are two of the trophies some of the West of Scotland's top businesses will be hoping to get their hands on tonight.

The Bank of Scotland Corporate-sponsored Glasgow Business Awards take place at the Crowne Plaza, with some of the companies up for gongs this year including Clyde Blowers, beCogent, John Lewis and SPT.

And six firms will hope to walk off with the Evening Times Favourite Business Award - a special category chosen by Evening Times readers.

We will be first with all the news from the awards night in tomorrow's newspaper.

Article available at Evening Times

 

15/10/2008 - Boss of Mister Singh makes a capital move

THE son of Glasgow curry king Satty Singh is to take over one of Scotland's top Indian restaurants. Ryan Singh has been given charge of Roti in Edinburgh city centre , the sister restaurant of the award winning Oloroso eaterie. Ryan is the manager of Mister Singh's India in Elderslie Street, Glasgow - a nominee in the Evening Times Favourite Business Award at next week's Glasgow Business Awards - but this week makes the move to the capital. The move will see Roti take on Mister Singh's India's style of dressing waiters in kilts, and Ryan has been told by its owner to shape the business as he sees fit.

The owner is Edinburgh restaurateur Tony Singh, who is Ryan's cousin. Ryan says he will retain all Roti's original chefs and staff while bringing a touch of his own influences to the 100 place restaurant and wine bar. Tony will remain in an associate chef capacity at Roti. He has chosen to transfer the business to his cousin after deciding to focus on the development of Oloroso and look at further investment opportunities in the city.

Tony Singh said: "It makes perfect sense to hand over the management and ownership of Roti to such an experienced and legendary Indian restaurateur - to keep it in the Singh family is an added bonus! I'm confident that with Ryan at the helm Roti will go from strength to strength." Tony has independently owned and run Roti since it opened to critical acclaim in 2006.

Ryan Singh added: "I'm looking forward to building on Tony's phenomenal success with Roti and bringing a wee bit of Mister Singh's Indian' to Edinburgh's Indian restaurant scene. The opportunities in Edinburgh are massive, whereas we have reached saturation point in Glasgow."

Mister Singh's India, which has been in operation for 40 years and is the cornerstone of Satty Singh's Curry Empire, is one of the firms in the running for the Favourite Business title at the Glasgow Business Awards, which are sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate with the Evening Times as media partner.

The business is up against some other city institutions. They include: Slater Menswear, Powerleague, McGhee's Bakery, M&D's Funpark and Rainbow Room International. The winners will be announced at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on 23 October.

Article available at Evening Times

 

06/10/2008 - Stage set for city’s Business Awards

CLYDE Blowers, Thales and beCogent have all been named as finalists at the city's biggest awards event. They are just three of the 33 firms in contention for a gong at this year's Glasgow Business Awards. The Evening Times is media partner of the awards, which are sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate. The awards night is now in its 11th year and organisers say the quality of entrants is better than ever.

Richard Cairns, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are delighted with the entries, taking the standard to a new level and making it an extremely competitive contest. I would like to congratulate those businesses that have reached the final stages. They are testimony to the wealth of talent which Glasgow and Scotland's business community can be proud of. By working together we can help nurture and foster these businesses and drive our economy forward during difficult economic times. I look forward to meeting with the finalists and wish them good luck on the night itself, which is guaranteed to be a superb evening, showcasing some of the very best of Glasgow businesses."

The event has been overhauled this year, with new categories including Business Leader of the Year and Business Deal of the Year. It is the latter category that Clyde Blowers has been nominated for. The engineering firm, which took over Weir Pumps in 2007, bought four businesses this year in a £565million deal that doubles its number of employees to 5000, and boosts turnover from £700m to £1.2bn.

The Evening Times Favourite Business category is being fought over by Powerleague, Rainbow Room International, McGhee's Bakery, Mr Singh's India, Slater Menswear and M&D's. This award is unique as it is voted for by readers. The evening has also been refreshed. The ceremony is taking place at the Crowne Plaza on October 23, but afterwards, winners and guests are being whisked off to a private party at the Alea Casino, which is one of the finalists in the marketing category.

Nicola Mackenzie, marketing manager at Alea said: "We are delighted to be named finalists in the creative marketing category. To get this far is a great achievement as we were competing against some talented marketing people." Commenting on La Bonne Auberge's short-listing, general manager Denis MacCann said: "Given that we launched over 30 years ago, it is wonderful to be recognised in this way and to know we are still highly regarded in the city."

Finalists:


CREATIVE MARKETING
Alea Casino; Buchanan Galleries; Strathclyde Partnership for Transport

BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Bellcom Ltd; Scottish Friendly Assurance; Thales

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Buro Happold; Radisson SAS Glasgow Hotel; Strathclyde Partnership for Transport

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Biopta Ltd; Frank Sammeroff Ltd; Thales

CONTRIBUTION TO LOCAL EMPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIPS (LEPs)
Bellcom Ltd; Capita Plc; The Glasgow Marriott

BEST PERFORMING BUSINESS (25 employees or under)
La Bonne Auberge; The Taylor Clarke Partnership Ltd; Thin Film Innovations Ltd

BEST PERFORMING BUSINESS (over 25 employees)
Buro Happold; John Lewis Partnership, Glasgow; Thales

BUSINESS DEAL OF THE YEAR
Clyde Blowers Ltd; Eastlake Work Group Ltd; The Taylor Clarke Partnership

EXCELLENCE IN SKILLS & LEARNING
beCogent Ltd; Bellcom Ltd; City Building (Glasgow) LLP

Article available at Evening Times

 

25/09/2008 - Who will you choose for our top award?

YOU have less than a week left to make sure your vote counts in the Glasgow Business Awards. For the past four weeks we've been asking who you feel deserves the Evening Times Favourite Business Award in the West of Scotland's biggest business contest. Six finalists have been chosen and their fate is in your hands - this trophy is decided not by judges but by who gets most votes. The firms battling it out are:

The reaction of Douglas Taylor, of M&D's, was similar to that of all this year's finalists. He said: "I don't know if we'll win but it's nice that what we are doing is attracting the attention of the public and they like what we do." Last year, Auchentoshan won the award. Distillery manager Ian Macallum said: "Receiving the award was a great honour. It showed us the city cares for whisky."

Voting couldn't be easier. All you need to do is send an e-mail to awards@eveningtimes.co.uk by Wednesday. The winner will be announced at the Glasgow Business Awards on 23 October at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Article available at Evening Times

 

16/09/2008 - City business award is tailor-made for Slater

IF YOU are a man in Glasgow, there's a very good chance at least one suit in your wardrobe is from Slater Menswear. The family firm, based in Howard Street, is an institution, the place where so many young men were taken by their dad for their first suit. And now current boss Paul Slater is hoping the public will give him the perfect reason to put on his dinner suit and black tie. For Slater is in the running for the Evening Times' Favourite Business at the Glasgow Business Awards.


Paul, the third generation of Slaters involved with the business, said: "It was a total surprise to hear we were nominated. It is an award well known to anyone who runs a business in Glasgow so we're delighted to be in the running. My father would have been delighted. He was raised in the Gorbals and this has always been a Glasgow business, so it is great."

The Slater story begins back at the turn of the last century. Paul's grandfather, who was from Latvia, set up the business, and as the years passed the rest of the family - Paul's dad Ralph, his uncles, and aunt - all joined the firm, which manufactured suits from its base in Cathedral Street. However, a fire destroyed the factory, and in 1973, Paul's father decided to branch off and start selling suits at a 3000sq ft space on Howard Street. Today, at 40,000 sq ft, the Howard Street branch is in the Guinness Book of Records. However, it is no longer just a Glasgow concern, with stores across the UK, including a women's line. But the core value of the business - customer service - has not changed.

Paul said: "By the late 1970s we saw a lot of our competitors close or change, moving towards self-service, but we have always stuck with the old way of doing things, of having a salesperson who can measure you up, who will take the time to talk to you and find out what you want. That is why it is funny to see the return of that style of service, even if it is called personal shopping these day. We are delighted to have been nominated, and if we are chosen by the public as their favourite business we would be very proud."

The Evening Times Favourite Business Award is a unique category as the winner is decided by you - Evening Times readers. We want you to tell us who deserves to win. Just fill in the form or send an e-mail to: awards@eveningtimes.co.uk The Glasgow Business Awards are organised by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate. The gala final will be held on October 23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Article available at Evening Times

 

11/09/2008 - Bakery is all fired up to challenge for your vote

IT is as much of an institution as the food it produces - McGhee's Bakery has been keeping the city in rolls, pies and cakes for 72 years. The family run firm supplies everyone from Glasgow City Council to the city's famous Horseshoe pub, where drinkers tuck into their Scotch Pies. And now it is in the running for the Evening Times Favourite Business Award at the Glasgow Business Awards.

The firm, founded in 1936 by Dugald McGhee at the original bakehouse in Oran Street in Maryhill, is now run by the third generation of the family - but is light years away from those early days. From a state-of-the-art production unit at Keppochill Drive, the business produces 1.4 million rolls per week. Its fleet of vans with the famous signage of supplier of the Glasgow favourite Crispy Rolls' has customers as far away as Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Stirling and Perth.

Ian McGhee, one of the company's directors, said: "We were amazed when we heard we had been nominated. This award is special as it is chosen by your readers and the public, not other business people so it means a lot just to be nominated. The business has changed a lot over the years, but it is still a family run affair. We are a big employer now and supply more than 1600 wholesalers across the country. But we still like to think of ourselves as a company that gives Scotland a taste of Glasgow."

The business has become one of the biggest players in Scotland, buying out several competitors. It has more than 130 staff and turnover is low - the average person working for McGhee's has been there for 12 years. Last year it bought Hayes Bakery, transferring the work to its Keppochill unit and it has strong links with its Maryhill roots through sponsorship of Partick Thistle Football Club.

Ian said: "I think the term is business partners' these days, but we wanted to give something back to the community that we come from and Partick Thistle is the nearest club to us. If we won the Evening Times Favourite Business Awards we'd be delighted. It would be a huge pat on the back for all of our staff and great recognition for everyone's efforts."

The Evening Times Favourite Business Awards is a unique category at the Glasgow Business Awards, organised by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate.

Rivals for top award: Mr Singhs India; M&D's Funpark; Clothing retailer Slater; Hairdressing group Rainbow Room International and Five-a-side football firm Powerleague.

 

The winner is decided by you - Evening Times readers. Send an e-mail to awards@eveningtimes.co.uk. Entries have to be received by October 1. The gala final will be on October 23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Article available at Evening Times.

 

04/09/2008 - Family favourite M&D’s on our award shortlist

IT BEGAN more than 40 years ago with one antique amusement ride and has grown to become one of Scotland's biggest crowd pullers. M&D's Theme Park at Strathclyde Country Park attracts 650,000 visitors a year. Run by brothers Matthew and Douglas Taylor, it has won accolades from VisitScotland and praise from the business community. Now the family-run firm is a contender for the Evening Times Favourite Business Award at this year's Glasgow Business Awards.

Douglas, 55, said: "It is always nice to see what you have spent your life working towards being recognised by the public. I don't know if we'll win, and we'll need to see what happens when the votes are counted, but it's nice that what we are doing is attracting the attention of the public and they like what we do."

Although M&D's as a business was launched in 1996, it actually began in 1966. Strathclyde Country Park had been created, and Douglas and Matthew approached the council about creating a funfair at the site. The council was supportive, but some of the financial institutions weren't.

Douglas said: "They listened to what we were suggesting but were completely unsupportive. Bigger companies had suggested doing the same and here we were, two boys from Bellshill with hardly any money, suggesting the same. But we went for it." And their gamble paid off. At M&D's, £350,000 is being spent on the new centrepiece building in the shape of a Spanish galleon ship.

Douglas said: "We'll keep adding attractions until the day comes when we add a new ride and the numbers visiting don't increase. When you're in business you can't tell where the end point is going to be - we didn't know that this is how big it would become. But we always knew this was a business built by local people, for local people, and would employ local people. And we've stuck to that."

The Evening Times Favourite Business Awards is a unique category at the Glasgow Business Awards, organised by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate. The winner is decided by you - Evening Times readers.

Every week, we'll focus on another two contenders, telling you a little more about them. On Tuesday we'll be speaking to the team behind one of the city's best loved restaurants, Mr Singh's India.

The other firms in the running are: McGhee's Bakery, Mr Singh's India, Clothing retailer Slater, Hairdressing group Rainbiow Room International and Five-a-side football firm Powerleague.

We want you to tell us who deserves to win, send an e-mail to awards@eveningtimes.co.uk Nominations from businesses for other awards are being accepted until September 5 and the gala final will be held on October 23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Article available at Evening Times

 

27/08/2008 - Powerleague’s goal is to win Euro success

SCOTLAND'S major football success stories can be counted on one hand - Celtic in Lisbon in 1967, Rangers in Barcelona in 1972, Aberdeen in Gothenburg in 1983. But if you want real results look no further than Powerleague. The five-a-side football pitch company, which began life 21 years ago on a tennis court in Paisley, has grown to become one of the biggest names in business.

It is used by 125,000 footie enthusiasts every week at 43 centres nationwide. It has operations in almost every major city in Britain and performances on the markets that make stockbrokers celebrate like they have won the league. Little wonder, then, it is one of the contenders for this year's Evening Times Favourite Business Award at the Glasgow Business Awards.

Chief executive Sean Tracey said: "We have always had a strong identity in Glasgow. The business started in Paisley, but our first major centre was in Glasgow (at Townhead) and it has always been popular. I even played there while I was a student and people who were playing alongside me 16 years ago are still making block bookings there!"

Some of those who use it today also played there as children. The company has a policy of allowing children to play free at its centres. Every week 20,000 children from across the UK play on its pitches for nothing. The business also operates 13 school sites'. These are pitches built close to schools that are given over to schools during the day, and only used by Powerleague in the evenings and weekends. The loyalty of customers is matched by the loyalty of the workforce. Staff turnover is low.

Mr Tracey has been with the company 16 years, but Angela Croley has been there even longer, and climbed the ranks in the process. She has risen from part-time receptionist to general manager at the Townhead centre. Like the Old Firm and Aberdeen, the company wants to be a success in Europe.

Mr Tracey said: "We have ambitions to make inroads into Europe - people are just as passionate about football abroad as they are here. It is nice to look at our achievements and remind everyone we are a Scottish success story. You can't say that very often in football!"

Powerleague is up against five other famous names for the Evening Times Favourite Business Award. The others are: McGhee's Bakery; restaurant Mr Singh's India; clothing retailer Slater; M&D's Funpark; and hairdressing group Rainbow Room International.

We want you to decide who wins. Simply write or e-mail to tell us who you think is the worthiest winner. Send your choice with your name and address to: Evening Times Favourite Business Award, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow, G2 3QB. Or send an e-mail to: awards@eveningtimes.co.uk The award is one category in this year's Glasgow Business Awards.

Organised by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, the awards celebrate the success and achievements of firms large and small, and categories are open to all across Glasgow and west Scotland.Nominations are being accepted until September 5 and the gala is on October 23 at the Crowne Plaza hotel.

Article available at Evening Times

 

19/08/08 - So which business would you say is a cut above?

WE want to find Glasgow's favourite business - and who better to ask than the people who know this city best - our readers? This year looks set to be the biggest in the history of the Glasgow Business Awards, of which the Evening Times is media partner. One of the highlights of the awards is the battle for the Favourite Business title, which is the only category where YOU vote the winner.

The event, sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate, is now in its 11th year and we are looking for a company that will join the ranks of Tennent's and the Pavilion Theatre, which previously won the title. Whisky firm Auchentoshan won the award last year, while Bradford's Bakers picked it up in 2006. The bakery firm even had celebrities voting for it, with actor Robert Carlyle having taken the time to fill in a form.

We have drawn a shortlist of firms we think are deserving of the title. So what are we looking for in this year's winner? It could be a business that you believe gives something back to Glasgow, or one that has helped reinforce the city's reputation as a major player on a global stage. It could even be a firm you hold dear to your heart or one you like to deal with. Those in the running are: Rainbow Room International, Slater's Menswear, Mr Singh's India, McGhee's Bakers, M&D's and Powerleague.

Stuart Yuill, head of business banking at Bank of Scotland Corporate, said: "We have been working in partnership with companies across Glasgow for many years and are aware of the hard work and determination many put into their business to ensure they are successful. The Glasgow Business Awards help recognise this hard work and the Evening Times' Favourite Business Award has always proven a very popular contest. It helps highlight the important role businesses play within the community."

The Favourite Business category is just one of 10 in this year's awards, which have been revamped by Richard Cairns, the new chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. Companies can nominate themselves for the other awards. This year new titles, such as Business Deal Of The Year have been introduced, and firms from across Glasgow and the west are being encouraged to enter, whether they are members of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce or not.

Mr Cairns said: "We are delighted to have teamed up again with Evening Times this year to recognise and celebrate the huge contribution business makes to the life of our city. I would encourage all firms, large and small to enter. We have deliberately designed the awards so there is room for every kind of business to put themselves forward. The Evening Times Favourite Business is always a special and hotly contested category. It is one Glasgow businesses are very proud to win. I am sure this year will be no exception."

CHOOSE YOUR WINNER
Use the form published in the Evening Times to cast your vote for Glasgow's favourite business or email your choice to AWARD VOTES

POWERLEAGUE
Powerleague has grown from a five-a-sides pitch at Townhead to become arguably Britain's biggest five-a-sides company. Run by Strathclyde University graduate Sean Tracey, the businesss looks after 44 football centres across the country, and is adding 10 more this year. It has turned its owners into millionaires and the firm may open centres in mainland Europe.

SLATER MENSWEAR
For generations of men, buying a suit means one thing: a walk to Howard Street and a trip to Slater's. Opened in 1973 by Ralph Slater, the family business has grown into a national brand and has made it into the Guinness Book of Records as the largest men's outfitters in the world, stocking 20,000 suits at a time.

M&D's
Known as Scotland's theme park, at Strathclyde Park, it picked up Lanarkshire's Business Excellence award in tourism development in 2006, and is famed thanks to its T in the Park connection it was the first firm to loan a ferris wheel to the music festival.

MCGHEE'S BAKERY
Planning on bacon rolls tomorrow morning? Then there's a good chance that the rolls you'll eat were baked at McGhee's Bakery in Port Dundas, Glasgow. The firm sponsors city's Partick Thistle football team.

MR SINGH'S INDIA
Mr Singh's India is a true city institution, beloved of curry fans footballers and other celebrities. Since launching in 1994, the family-owned restaurant has opened a sister operation at Mearns Castle Golf Club.


RAINBOW ROOM INTERNATIONAL
Award-winning hairdressers Linda and Alan Stewart founded Rainbow Room more than 30 years ago and now enjoy a global reputation.

We're stylists to the stars
WHEN Alan and Linda Stewart opened their first salon nearly 30 years ago on Buchanan Street, little did they think they would one day employ 250 people, become one of the biggest hairdressing academies in Britain and be named one of the best salons in the world. Back then they were just young hairdressers, although they did have big ideas. Linda said: "We started out just wanting to cut hair, but Alan has always had these ideas of things he would like to do and like to try. Someone once said to him he always seems to think out of the box. But, as he admits, it's easy because I don't think he has been in the box to start with!" As well as 10 hair salons and two beauty and spa salons across west Scotland, another two salons are on the way for East Kilbride and Uddingston. And some famous names have entrusted their barnets to them. Robbie Williams, Girls Aloud and Denise van Outen have all had their hair styled by the Rainbow Room team. But one of Alan and Linda's biggest projects has been their Academy.
The £1million venture on Howard Street, in Glasgow city centre, was launched in 2006 and has facilities to train 300 hairdressing apprentices a year. It was one of the first academies in Scotland to introduce electronic learning and internet training programmes. Little wonder that this year Alan and Linda headed to Hollywood to pick up an award after being named one of the world's top salons at the Global Hairdressing Awards. Now their eyes are on the Evening Times Favourite Business Award.
Linda said: "The majority of awards we are nominated for are trade awards or are trade competitions. This is different as it is the public that decides. It is great recognition for everyone who works here."

Article available at Evening Times

 

05/08/08 - Who do you back for a city business award?

THE city's biggest business awards are back - and they promise to be better than ever before. Entries for the Glasgow Business Awards open this week and the call is going out to every firm to enter. The competition is the most important in Scotland's business calendar, and the Evening Times is media partner. Organised by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, some of the city's best-known and best-loved names have been honoured during its history.

Arnold Clark, Allied Vehicles, Barrhead Travel and Rainbow Room International are just a few of the names to have triumphed at the event. This is the 11th year of the awards, and to mark the occasion, the biggest party yet and some new awards categories have been created.

Richard Cairns, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "I'd like to encourage all businesses based in Glasgow and Greater Glasgow to enter. The awards allow us to acknowledge the immense amount businesses across Glasgow and beyond contribute to the economy, ensuring Glasgow remains Scotland's economic powerhouse. Businesses are at the heart of life in Glasgow, and deliver so much of what makes Glasgow great. That's something we should celebrate. This year's awards will be even bigger than before. We are introducing new award categories that are accessible to everyone, new entertainment and a new event format."

Some of the changes include the introduction of the Business Deal of the Year title, and Glasgow Business Leader of the Year - a category aimed at recognising the people making a difference to their firms and Glasgow as a whole. But the changes don't end with the categories - the whole night is being revamped. Taking place at the Crowne Plaza, the party is to continue until the wee small hours. Winning firms are being taken across the Clyde Arc to the Alea Casino on Springfield Quay where the winners will be whisked away to a private VIP reception. TV star Bryan Burnett is being lined up as the compere and new entertainment is aimed at creating a fun atmosphere.

One thing that hasn't changed, however, is the category chosen by you - The Evening Times Favourite Business Award. We want you to tell us which firm deserves the honour. It could be a place that delivers great service or a restaurant you love eating in. We want to hear your suggestions, and next week we will draw up a shortlist of six firms. Then you will get to vote for the finalist you think deserves to win.

Last year, Auchentoshan won the award. Ian Macallum, Manager of the distillery, said: "Receiving the award was a great honour. It showed us the city cares for Scotch Whisky."

Article available at Evening Times

 

01/08/08 - Learning steps to glory show you mean business

Business across the city are about to be shown the steps to achieving awards glory. Just as entries for this year's Glasgow Business Awards are about to open, the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce is to host workshops showing firms how they can get their hands on silverware - and why they might want to do it. The organisation is hosting a workshop this month entitled "How to Win a Business Award.

Hosted by the Chamber's training manager and judge at this year's Barclays' Bid Awards, Elaine Rodger, the two-hour workshop will show businesses the press and promotional benefits of taking part in business competitions, how to prepare an entry and how the feedback received from judges can help a business - even if they don't win."

The worskhops will also feature case studies from people who have won at the Glasgow Business Awards in the past. Last year Allied Vehicles received top honours at the event, picking up the main award, as well as the title of best performing business with 50 employees or over. It was quite an accolade for the Possil-based taxi manufacturer, run by brothers Michael and Gerry Facenna.

Elaine said: "We'll use our experience to show the route to success. We will help them realise how beneficial competitions can be in terms of raising profile. We can't promise everyone who attends will win an award - but it will help!"

The workshop is timed to coincide with the launch of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Awards - of which the Evening Times is media partner. From Monday, firms across Glasgow and the West of Scotland will be able to enter one of Scotland's best business competitions. Taking place on October 23, it is to be sponsored once again by the Bank of Scotland Corporate, but this year there will be new categories and the event is to be revamped. We will be revealing all the details of the new format in Tuesday's newspaper. There will also be the chance for readers to choose a business which they feel deserves an award in our special Evening Times Favourite Business Category.

Article available at Evening Times

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