Wood Group was last night crowned company of the decade at the Northern Star Business Awards.
The honour – to mark the tenth anniversary of the annual ceremony – celebrated the commitment, integrity and ambition the company has shown over the past 10 years.
The group beat finalists Aberdeen Asset Management and First Group.
Robert Collier, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, which organises the awards, paid tribute to the firm.
“Wood Group has enjoyed a long tradition of success, from its early days in the 1900s when the Wood family’s business began,” he said.
“We are delighted to honour them tonight for their outstanding contribution and their well-deserved place as a leading member of the north-east business community.”
The Outstanding Contribution to the Energy Sector went to Aker Solutions, which has announced plans to recruit 400 people in Aberdeen.
Michael Griffin, managing director of Aker’s drilling technologies business in the UK, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and we are absolutely delighted to have won this prestigious award.
“To have our commitment to both the region and the energy sector recognised by the business community is a great endorsement of the hard work delivered by our employees.”
The lifetime achievement award went to Sir Malcolm Bruce, MP for Gordon, and was presented in recognition of more than 30 years’ service representing the region.
A Liberal Party member since he was 17, Mr Bruce has recently announced that he is to stand down at the next election.
He has been a tireless campaigner on issues which affect his constituents, from bypasses for Ellon, Blackburn and Inverurie to campaigns for health services and community hospitals.
President of the chamber, Alec Carstairs, said: “Sir Malcolm is a long-time supporter of the oil and gas sector and has a clear understanding of the economy in the region.”
As well as these awards, there were 35 finalists in 12 other categories which were announced at the ceremony last night at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
It was fourth time lucky for the catering company facilities management company Entier as they received the award for overall business of the year, having reached the finals every year since 2009.
The winners were:
- Lifetime Achievement – Sir Malcolm Bruce MP
- Student placement – Simmons and Company International / Craig Shand
- Rising Star – Brian Chalmers, Wood Group PSN
- Outstanding Contribution to the Energy Sector – Aker Solutions
- The Green Award – ARR Craib Transport Ltd
- Achievement in International Business – activpayroll
- Commitment to People Development – Swire Oilfield Services
- Outstanding Contribution to Society – Cornerstone
- Business Diversity Award – The Spotty Bag Shop
- Best Campaign of the Year – Tricker PR
- Excellence in Customer Service – Indigo Technologies
- Commitment to Innovative Use of Research and Development – Spex Group
- Overall Business of the Year – Entier
- Company of the Decade – Wood Group
Click on the pictures below to open up our gallery of the evening’s winners:
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