I am proud to have witnessed Scotland shine while also playing a small part in supporting this year’s British Business Awards, which raised an outstanding £1.2 million for charity.
That figure alone should be enough to make headlines – but it was just one of many reasons the night will stay with me.
Having been a part of the event on April 24, it was a privilege to sit on the judging panel and witness firsthand the entrepreneurial talent, innovation and sheer grit that define British business today.
As someone who spends much of their time dissecting bottom lines and tracking market trends, it was a breath of fresh air to focus on the people behind the figures – the founders, innovators, and risk-takers moving the needle.
The calibre of finalists was, without exaggeration, exceptional. Whether it was a pioneering fintech from Leeds, a sustainability trailblazer from Bristol, or a Glasgow-based scale-up rewriting the rules on retail logistics, the diversity of sectors and ideas was staggering. And the energy in the room? Electric. It’s not every day you see suits up and dancing to Sting performing live, but that’s exactly what happened at the EICC in Edinburgh.
Yes, that’s right – Sting. The legendary Police frontman gave a performance that was as soulful as was expected, followed by a candid fireside chat about his own journey and charitable ventures. Add in a rousing keynote from Sir Bob Geldof – who reminded us all that profit without purpose is a hollow pursuit – and a healthy dose of Rob Brydon’s comedy to keep us laughing between courses, and you’ve got a night to remember.
But let’s bring this back home to Scotland. For all the national and even global recognition the British Business Awards commands, what struck me most was the prominent role played by Scottish enterprise. From host companies to shortlisted nominees, and of course the vibrant setting of Edinburgh, Scotland was not just represented – it led.
At my own company table, it was a pleasure to co-host alongside Susana Garcia Barreiro and Graham Buchan as we welcomed a powerhouse guest list. The conversations around our table were sharp, forward-thinking, and, crucially, generous in spirit.
There’s something about getting ambitious people in the one room together – the ideas bounce faster, the energy lifts, and suddenly you’re reminded why we do what we do.
But the buzz around tables at the event reflected a wider theme of the night: how collaboration between sectors is no longer a ‘nice to have,’ but a must. The future of British business isn’t siloed – it’s integrated, it’s bold, and it’s building bridges.
While the glitz of the night certainly made for a great spectacle, what stayed with me most was the message: that success isn’t just about margins and market share. It’s about community, collaboration, and having a broader purpose.
The British Business Awards, held on a not-for-profit basis, had a target of raising £1 million for charity – and absolutely smashed it. This year’s chosen cause, the homelessness charity Social Bite, will now benefit from over £1.2 million in funds. That kind of giving-back at scale is exactly what makes the business community so vital to societal progress.
And for those wondering whether they or their company might be a contender next year – the answer is probably yes. If you’re breaking new ground, showing leadership, delivering commercial results, or making meaningful impact, the British Business Awards is the platform to put your name on the national map. Recognition isn’t just about prestige; it’s about visibility, credibility, and opening new doors.
For Scotland, that means pushing our businesses into the UK-wide spotlight where they belong. We already punch above our weight in innovation, tech, renewable energy, and financial services. Awards like this simply confirm what many of us already know: that Scottish businesses are leading from the front – not just keeping pace.
So, here’s to the winners, the nominees, and every table that contributed to a record-breaking total. It was a privilege to be in that room – and a reminder that in business, as in life, the best results come when we bring people together with purpose.
Side (234)
Through my business, SRA Ventures, I’ve always done my best to think outside of the box when it comes to providing commercial property opportunities for promising up-starts and SMEs across the country.
However, we’ve recently taken this phrase a little too literally, with a recent acquisition of the Linlithgow-based storage firm BOXXS Self-Store.
Located within Mill Road Industrial Estate, BOXXS is a 24/7 storage facility that provides a space for companies and local residents alike to store items, belongings and overflow stock.
Through this acquisition, we’re looking to build upon the fantastic offering that BOXXS already provides, investing in the business to upgrade and modernise its facilities and provide a vital amenity for current and future companies that call the industrial estate home.
This acquisition is yet another massive step forward in our long-term vision in investing in, developing and operating smarter, high-value real estate assets for businesses across Scotland.
It’s vital for us to think of what additional advantages that businesses and companies will need for their premises, their workforce and their operations, for example the on-the-door storage options that BOXXS currently provides.
This ‘outside the box’ all-encompassing way of thinking is something that I will always do myself, as well as encourage business leaders to do. Only then can we look to solve issues and continue to push for a prosperous Scotland that growing companies and SMEs are proud to call home.
Laugh (125)
In a galaxy not so far away – Fife, to be exact – it’s been lights, camera, lightsabers for one local business.
Cupar business Scaramanga has taken a starring role behind the scenes of Star Wars: Andor.
Lifelong fan Carl Morenikeji and his team had their dreams come true after they were approached by Disney for vintage products and props for the second season of Andor.
The business, which supports commercial and domestic firms as well as film and tv productions, provided items such as cutlery, chairs, tables and even chicken coops to help decorate sets of the sci-fi series.
Props to the Carl and the team at Scaramanga for this recent success – proving that Scottish businesses are always a force to be reckoned with.
Weep (127)
A quote from a recent business closure story this past week really stuck with me, with owners of a Leslie high street takeaway stating that the current climate is ‘too hard for a small business to survive’.
Closing after just nine months of providing sandwiches and burgers to locals, The Sizzling Sarnie on High Street shut up shop with owners finding trading conditions too challenging, despite giving it everything they had.
Citing rising costs of living, bills, council tax and rent as the main culprits, it’s maddening that some smaller ventures aren’t able to make it through a full year anymore.
More needs to be done to support smaller businesses across Scotland, who are just looking to support the community and earn their own bread and butter.
