Businesses and individuals from across the Highlands came together at the Highland Business Awards to celebrate a year of achievement and ambition, with Serimax named Highland Business of the Year.
More than 270 business leaders, finalists, sponsors and guests gathered at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, on Friday 25 September for the culmination of Highland Business Week 2026.
Supported by Principal Sponsor The Highland Council, the Awards recognised achievements across 11 categories, with one then crowned the overall Highland Business of the Year, celebrating the contribution businesses and individuals are making across the Highland economy and communities.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity to hear from leaders with very different perspectives on business and the wider economic landscape. Helen Inkster, Managing Director of Pentland Ferries and newly appointed Inverness Chamber Board Director, delivered the keynote address, sharing reflections from her career and Pentland Ferries’ 25-year journey as a family-run business connecting Caithness and Orkney. Richard Oppenheim, Director of the Diplomatic Advisory Hub, s a joint initiative between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the British Chambers of Commerce, also addressed the audience, highlighting the support available to businesses navigating international markets and an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
As Principal Sponsor, Derek Brown, Chief Executive of The Highland Council, addressed the business audience, setting out the Council’s priorities for business and the economy and the opportunities ahead for the region. The Council’s current economic priorities include supporting sustainable growth, investment, infrastructure, housing and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Colin Marr, Chief Executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said, “The Highland Business Awards celebrate the people and businesses who make an important contribution to our region, and this year’s finalists and winners have shown just how many successful businesses and individuals we have across the Highlands.
“What really stood out this year was the breadth of their achievements. From pioneering technology and international growth to community impact, environmental action, developing young talent and creating opportunities for others, our winners are all making a difference in their own way.
“Not just the winners but all our finalists should be incredibly proud. Reaching the shortlist in such a competitive field is a significant achievement in itself.
“It was also a privilege to hear from Helen and Richard, alongside Derek Brown, and to bring those perspectives into a room full of businesses thinking about their own future.
“Congratulations to every finalist, winner and highly commended business. Your achievements are something to celebrate, and we look forward to seeing where your journeys take you next.”
Highland Business Awards 2026 winners
Innovation – sponsored by University of the Highlands and Islands
Winner: MoROV Subsea Solutions
MoROV impressed the judging panel by turning insight from the aquaculture industry into innovative, Highland-designed solutions – growing from a local start-up to having systems operating in Japan, with interest from around the world.
Highly Commended: MAKAR
Positive Environmental Impact – sponsored by Pentland Ferries
Winner: ILM Highland
It was the breadth and everyday impact of ILM Highland’s work that stood out, with the organisation creating positive change for communities and people across the region.
International Success – sponsored by Heathrow
Winner: Serimax
With operations in 130 countries and cutting-edge automated welding solutions supporting the future of offshore wind, Serimax demonstrated the international reach and specialist expertise the judges were looking for.
Most Promising New Business – sponsored by Business Gateway Highland
Winner: Oliver’s Highland Pet Crematorium
Lisa turned a gap identified through personal experience into a business with care at its heart, earning 122 five-star reviews from the public and veterinary practices in its first year – an achievement that caught the judges’ attention.
Best Marketing Campaign – sponsored by STV
Winner: Highland Coast Hotels
Highland Coast Hotels showed how a global cultural phenomenon can be turned into a measurable business opportunity, with its The Traitors campaign delivering significant increases in direct bookings across the group.
Outstanding Community Engagement – sponsored by Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport
Winner: Eden Court Highlands
Reaching communities across the Highlands is at the heart of Eden Court’s work, with sustained projects creating opportunities for young people, rural communities, people with complex needs and those at risk of offending. It was this breadth of engagement that stood out to the judging panel.
Corporate Community Impact – sponsored by Sumitomo Electric U.K. Power Cables Ltd
Winner: Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
From dedicated trust funding and free festival stalls for local charities to working with small Highland businesses to solve challenges on the ground, Belladrum demonstrated a wide-ranging and practical commitment to its community.
Highly Commended: Kingsmills Hotel
Employer of the Year – sponsored by Azets
Winner: WePurpose Technology
For a decade, WePurpose Technology has combined high-quality IT services with a clear commitment to helping people who can face barriers to employment build sustainable careers – a mission that stood out in a highly competitive category.
Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by North Highland Chamber of Commerce
Winner: Matthew Robertson – Gow’s Lybster
Matthew’s exceptional technical skills at such a young age made him stand out, including multiple welding codings gained within the highly demanding nuclear industry, where precision is critical.
Young Employee of the Year – sponsored by The Springfield Group
Winner: Mia Keith – Morrison Construction
Mia’s impact extends beyond her own role as a Graduate Apprentice and Communities and Social Impact Coordinator, with her work bringing social impact to the forefront at Morrison Construction and inspiring more young people to consider careers in construction.
Business Leader of the Year – sponsored by Saffery
Winner: Kenny McMillan – Highland Coast Hotels
In just 18 months as Managing Director, Kenny has brought six distinct hotels together as one team while retaining their individual character, alongside delivering impressive growth and plans for further investment. It was a record of leadership that impressed the judging panel.
Highland Business of the Year – sponsored by Balfour Beatty
Winner: Serimax
After an exceptionally close decision, the judging panel unanimously selected Serimax for its combination of innovation, international reach and specialist expertise, recognising its potential to play a vital role in the future of renewable energy production in the Highlands.
The Awards were supported by Principal Sponsor The Highland Council, with category sponsors including University of the Highlands and Islands, Pentland Ferries, Heathrow, Business Gateway Highland, STV, Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, Sumitomo Electric U.K. Power Cables Ltd, Azets, North Highland Chamber of Commerce, The Springfield Group, Saffery and Balfour Beatty. Dynam sponsored the Awards trophies.
As Highland Business Week 2026 comes to a close, the Awards once again highlight the strength and ambition that define our business community. We look forward to seeing this year’s finalists and winners continue to drive growth and opportunity across the region.
Congratulations once again to all!