Marine Harvest and Gael Force scoop awards

The country's biggest salmon farmer, Marine Harvest Scotland, was named both Highland Business of the Year, and Exporter of the Year, at the Drumossie Hotel event.

And Inverness-based aquaculture and marine equipment supplier Gael Force Group took the award for Outstanding Performing Business (25+ employees).

MH Scotland business development manager Steve Bracken said: "We are just delighted to receive both of these awards. They mean a great deal to the business and to all our staff; it is a terrific achievement. We were delighted to receive the Highland Business of the Year Award, given the other companies that were there at the awards. This is not an award that you apply for, it's one you have to be nominated for."

Massive team effort

Bracken said he didn't know exactly what the Business of the Year award was judged upon, but added: "I think it's probably your overall performance as a business, which would probably take in many aspects, not just about sales but how the business is run and, I guess, ultimately how it's perceived. This is a massive team effort and all our employees will be justly proud of having received this award."

Referring to the Exporter of the Year award, he said a speaker at the awards, John Holland-Kaye, CEO of Heathrow Airport Ltd, told the audience the value of salmon passing through the airport in 2016 was £250 million.

He added: "It was a great afternoon for aquaculture and we wholeheartedly congratulate Gael Force on their achievements, they did extremely well."

MH Scotland also won the Developing the Young Workforce award for the West Highland region. The overall winner in that section was Mackays Hotel of Wick.

Outstanding performance

Gael Force marketing manager Marc Wilson said: "We're very honoured to have received this special accolade as a recognition of the outstanding performance we are seeing at Gael Force this year. This award, along with the three picked up by Marine Harvest Scotland, shows that aquaculture is being recognised for its contribution to the Highlands and Islands. Special thanks go to all our stakeholders, including our excellent team, suppliers and of course, our customers."

The Highland Business Awards, part of the fifth Highland Business Week, recognises and celebrates the achievements of businesses and individuals throughout the region. It is organised by Inverness Chamber of Commerce.