Employee-owned businesses triumph at prestigious business awards

Employee-owned firms delivered a great showing in the recent WeDO Scotland Business Awards, announced at a glittering ceremony on Friday 5th November.

November 6, 2021

Congratulations to David Narro Associates who won the Employee Owned Business of the year award.  The consulting engineering firm, employee-owned since 2014, beat off fierce competition in the category that attracted the most entrants. Close runners up were Network ROI.  Both firms made excellent submissions, involving the wider employee groups in their videos. Network ROI were clear on the company’s strong values and the need to promote understanding of the business financials. The David Narro team impressed with their passion for their work anprojects, and the evidence demonstrating the strong ownership culture within the practice.

Employee-owned firms also won through in the other categories, testament to the success of the employee-owned model. Both finalists in the International Entrepreneur Awards companies are owned by their employees.  This was a very close call, with the judges having to reconvene, unable to agree which of the two strong contenders should win. The TEFL Org impressed the panel with their commercial success, leadership philosophy and culture. Woollard & Henry were announced winners on the basis of their ambitious strategy, their impressive growth, and their commitment to promoting Scotland’s engineering skills across the globe.

Paul Heat Recovery picked up the Eco Award. The judges were bowled over by the achievements of the firm and the commitment of Founder and MD, Stefan Huber, to “never compromise on ethics.” The Dunfermline based company advises, installs and promotes energy efficiency, supplying solutions for heat recovery ventilation systems and indoor climate solutions for sustainable homes. The Paul team members spoke passionately about their work in the firm and how the company operated with a strong family ethos. Paul Heat Recovery has been in employee ownership since January 2021.

A massive well done to all employee-owned firms who participated.  By doing so, you raise awareness amongst the mainstream business community and demonstrate clearly that employee ownership is for winners.