Business Star Awards

PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BUSINESS AWARDS 2025

Entries open today (Friday 20th June) for Perthshire Chamber’s prestigious Business Star Awards, sponsored by Binn Group

The Perthshire Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce that entries open today for its annual Business Star Awards, a celebration of enterprise, innovation, and community impact across the region. Now in its 2025 edition, the awards shine a spotlight on outstanding local businesses, teams, and individuals.

Binn Group – Scotland’s largest independent waste management and recycling company – returns as headline sponsor and Allan MacGregor, Chief Executive of Binn Group, commented on the continued partnership:

“Keeping business local is really important to us as a local family‑run business. If you work in the local area, you should support other businesses in your area, and we’re delighted to again be the main sponsor of the Business Star Awards. They showcase superb local companies, and we know from our own experience how much of a buzz it provides to the people and businesses involved, whether they are finalists or winners.”

Perthshire Chamber Chief Executive Vicki Unite said:

“We are always amazed by the resilience, innovation and determination of Perthshire businesses. Their ability to adapt and grow is incredible. More than ever, it’s absolutely critical that we continue to foster a culture of local businesses supporting each other.”

This year, entries will be accepted across up to 18 categories, including Employee of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, Most Promising New Business, Excellence in Customer Service, and the coveted overall Perthshire Business of the Year.

Key Dates & Details

Tickets on sale for Awards ceremony & annual dinner: Friday, 29th May 2026 at Crieff Hydro Hotel

Categories are open to businesses at every stage from start-ups to established firms across Perthshire as well as individuals making exceptional contributions to their workplaces and communities. Judging is conducted in two rigorous stages by an impartial panel, with shortlisted finalists meeting with the judges in person for the final stage ahead of the glittering awards night.

All businesses operating in Perthshire are invited to apply. Entry is free and open to non-members of the Chamber.

Allan MacGregor added:

“The Chamber’s priority is Perthshire. Supporting local has always been at the heart of Binn Group and that’s why we are involved.”

Binn Group is one of Scotland’s leading waste management and recycling specialists. Based in Glenfarg, the company is a major regional employer and a passionate advocate of sustainability which values its people.

Tickets for the event – with fizz on arrival, a delicious three course meal with wine, coffee and petit fours, hosted awards ceremony, fundraiser and live music with Groove Culture into the wee small hours are available:

£95+vat pp for a member or £900 + VAT for a table of 10.

Non-members are £105 + VAT pp or £1000 + VAT for a table of 10.

Price is per person or bookings of ten to twelve – tables sit from 10-12

Free return coach transport leaving Mill Street (outside the Foundry Bar) at 18:00 and then leaving the Hydro at 01:00 sponsored by Stagecoach Group.

Accommodation rate available for Crieff Hydro Hotel – £150/160 single/double occupancy.

1. Employee of the Year Award

Do you have real star employee? Does one of your workmates deserve special recognition? Or do you come across a worker in your day-to-day life that goes the extra mile to do their job well? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, then nominate them for this Star Award.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Business/Education Body Nomination of Individual: Online form collecting business, education body and employee necessary details as well as up to 750 words on why this Employee should win this award.

2. Apprentice of the Year Award

Judges will be looking for entries that showcase the difference the Apprentice has made to the organisation they work in with clear demonstrations of ability, outstanding achievements through practical and theoretical practice and the personal qualities, skill and commitment to make them stand out as a worthy winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award. Open to both Modern and Graduate Apprentices.

Nominations can be for apprentices who have been or will be certificated between January 2025 and December 2025 or at least 85% completed.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Business/Education Body Nomination of Individual: Online form collecting business, education body and employee necessary details as well as up to 750 words on why this Apprentice should win this award.

3. Most Promising New Business Award

If your business has been operating for three years or less (as of the 31^st March 2025), why not enter the Most Promising New Business Award? Entrants should provide details of how the company has performed and what its future projections are. You should explain the background to the business, the markets it operates in, the business vision and the research that was undertaken when the business was in development. By doing so you could receive the reward you deserve for successfully setting up your business.

NB: The business entering this award must have been trading for 3 years or less on 31st March 2025. You will not qualify if your business has trading activity of over 3 years at this date.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Self Nomination: Online form collecting business necessary details as well as up to 750 words on why you feel your business should win this award. Judges may request sight of financials if shortlisted.

4. Excellence in Customer Service Award

Open to all businesses and organisations of all sizes in all sectors. Judges will look for evidence of, and commitment to, delivering excellence in customer service that generates positive, measurable, repeat and additional business.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

5. Excellence in Business Innovation Award

If your business has been innovative in creating a new product, system, model or way of working, perhaps using technology, to excel in today’s market place this is the Award for you. The judging panel is interested in uncovering how the use of this innovation – adopted within the last three years – has made a difference in your business.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

6. Excellence in Digital Media

This category is for those businesses which have a strong online presence and have harnessed the power of social media for success and survival.

Whether through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok or any other online platform, businesses should be able to clearly demonstrate how their creative and targeted use of digital platforms has helped them engage, drive business and increase their brand profile over the past 18 months, while ensuring a high level of customer care.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

7. Contribution to the Environment

This Award is open to any business that can demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability. You will be able to show leadership in projects that may for example include savings in CO2 emissions or working towards net-zero targets, improved recycling, the circular economy, reduced use of hydrocarbons or sourcing alternative energy supplies.

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8. Commitment to the Community Award

Open to all businesses, organisations and charities of all sizes who can demonstrate a commitment to the community in which they operate.

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9. Excellence in Tourism & Leisure Award

Open to all businesses and organisations of all sizes that can demonstrate measurable success in the field of leisure tourism and/or business tourism or associated leisure activities.

Entrants should be able to demonstrate commitment to growth and success in achieving planned objectives – for example in terms of visitor numbers, turnover, employment, quality assurance ratings, or local and national impact. Entrants should be able to prove a track record in customer satisfaction and a continued commitment to exceeding customer expectations by providing a unique customer experience.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

10. Beyond Scotland Award

Award for Trading Internationally or in the Rest of the UK.

This award is aimed at companies which have managed to grow and sustain their business by trading goods or services internationally or with the rest of the UK and are an example to local businesses who wish to start exporting their products & services.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

11. Business Growth Award

Open to any business from any sector. Businesses should demonstrate strong business initiatives, sustained growth in turnover and profitability, together with a clear strategy and plan to drive sustainable growth in the future.

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12. Independent Retailer of the Year Award

Open to shops and on-line retailers of all sizes and all types. Judges will look for innovative development and presentation of product ranges, sound business planning and commitment to quality service delivery.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

13. Excellence in Food & Drink Produce Award

Open to a business responsible for growing or producing a food or drink product. This category is seeking those who are producing something uniquely excellent. The winner could come from any area of food and drink.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

14. Employer of the Year Award

Open to commercially successful companies who are exemplary employers in relation to their staff and customers and also play an important role in the local community.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

15. Health and Wellbeing Business of the Year

Open to all businesses operating in the Healthcare sector. Judges will look for innovative development and presentation of products and/or services, sound business planning and commitment to quality delivery. They will also be looking for an organisation that demonstrates its patient-centred focus and how they are responding to the rapidly changing environment in healthcare provision.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

16. Outstanding Young Business Person

This award celebrates an extraordinary young business person aged 30 and under (as of 31^st March 2025) who exhibits qualities that inspire the business community. Open to young entrepreneurs building their own business or employees that have had an outstanding impact on their business.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Self, Open or Business Nomination: Online form collecting business necessary details as well as up to 750 words on why you feel this individual should win this award. NB: Enough business information needs to be available to judge accordingly.

17. Business Leader of the Year

This award recognises a leader who has done some or all of the following:

Led and grown a company significantly whether it be by turnover / profit / market share / staff
Enhanced the profile of the company on a local/national or even global basis
Led the company to excel in certain areas, such as service or quality
Enhanced the reputation of Perthshire

Established a clear purpose and vision and lead the organisation with passion, enthusiasm and energy
Led others, aligned people, motivated, empowered and inspired them
Brought about meaningful change, and led the organisation forward into the future
Developed a culture that fosters leadership development e.g. encouraging employees and colleagues through coaching, training or mentorship
Demonstrated commitment to good practice in their sector
Have gone the extra mile, making a difference to organisational effectiveness
Have demonstrated leadership in moments of crisis or change
Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity within the business
Demonstrated commitment to the local community within Perthshire

APPLICATION PROCESS:

18. Perthshire Business of the Year

This will be announced on the night, selected from category/categories winner.