Four winners crowned at annual Moray Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon
FOUR local businesses were crowned winners at the annual Moray Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon.
The luncheon, held at the Laichmoray Hotel in Elgin on Tuesday April 19, saw R-evolution For Good, Duffus Estate, Mackenzie and Cruickshank and Brightwork named winners.
Nearly 60 business guests were present for the event, which was sponsored by Highland and Islands Enterprise.
Sarah Medcraf, chief executive of the Moray Chamber of Commerce, said: “All four were very worthy winners.
“I know the judges had a very tough decision narrowing down the numbers and picking the winners, but I’m thrilled with the results and hope the winners are too.
“Everybody’s had a tough couple of years, so coming back to the fight and being able to give out awards of this caliber has been great.
“We hope this is just the start of the Covid rebound.”
The winners were all thrilled to be recognized for two years of hard work during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Mackenzie and Cruickshank Garden Center in Forres was named Small to Medium Business of the Year.
Director Peter Wilson said: “From starting the business 20 years ago with nothing to winning this award in your own country, voted on by judges who know the whole county, it’s just brilliant.
“I’m very surprised. It’s a huge honour, but the award is for the team.”
The Resilience Award was won by Duffus Estate, led by Caroline and Ed Dunbar.
Caroline said: “We are absolutely delighted. When lockdown hit we had to close all of our chalets.
“We were in shock, but we got over the shock and decided to focus on what we could do to get back into action.”
The most promising venture was won by R-evolution For Good, a newly launched training and development charity.
The company’s profits all go directly to its charitable goal of ending child poverty.
Founder Debi Weir said: “As an organization that was founded at the very beginning of the pandemic, it was very difficult but it was worth it.
“We’ve gone from one employee to 23 in two years, so it’s getting better and better. I’m just thrilled for the team, it’s going to mean the world to them.”
The Corporate Social Responsibility award was won by Brightwork’s Elgin office.
Director Shan Saba said, “We are a company that believes doing the right thing is the right thing to do.
“Having morals and ethics in the recruitment industry is important and being recognized for it has such a big impact on us.
“Our success is based on the relationships we have in the community.”
