PICTURE GALLERY: Relive the highlights of the Highland Business Awards 2026

Chamber News

The Highland Business Awards 2026 brought the region’s business community together at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, for a memorable day celebrating the people and organisations helping shape the future of Highland business. From the excitement of the winners being announced to the big moments on stage, it was a fitting finale to Highland Business Week 2026.

This year’s celebrations featured an inspiring keynote from Helen Inkster, Managing Director of Pentland Ferries and newly appointed Inverness Chamber Board Director, who shared her career journey and the story of Pentland Ferries as it celebrates 25 years connecting Caithness and Orkney. Guests also heard from Richard Oppenheim, Director of the Diplomatic Advisory Hub, who shared his international perspective and insight into the support available to businesses navigating an increasingly complex global environment. Derek Brown, Chief Executive of The Highland Council, also addressed guests on behalf of our Principal Sponsor, highlighting the Council’s priorities for business and the Highland economy.

Expertly hosted by Nicky Marr, the Awards recognised achievement across innovation, international growth, community impact, environmental action, leadership and the development of Highland talent. Congratulations once again to all our finalists, highly commended businesses and winners – and thank you to our sponsors and partners, whose support helped make the celebrations possible.

Thanks to our digital partner, DP Digital Media, and media partner, Highland News & Media (photographer Daniel Forsyth), you can relive the atmosphere of the day through our highlights reel and picture gallery, capturing some of the people, moments and celebrations that made the Highland Business Awards 2026 such a memorable occasion.

Colin Marr – Chief Executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce.
Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Colin Marr – Chief Executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce.
Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Richard Oppenheim – Guest Speaker.
Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Richard Oppenheim – Guest Speaker.
Picture: Daniel Forsyth.



Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Helen Inkster – Keynote Speaker.
Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Helen Inkster – Keynote Speaker.
Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Nicky Marr – Event Host.
Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Nicky Marr – Event Host.
Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The Highland Business Awards 2026
Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The Highland Business Awards 2026
Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The Highland Business Awards 2026 Finalists.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Nicky Marr – Event Host.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Derek Brown – Principal Sponsor Address.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Derek Brown – Principal Sponsor Address.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Derek Brown – Principal Sponsor Address.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
MAKAR were Highly Commended in the Innovation category – sponsored by University of the Highlands and Islands.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
MAKAR were Highly Commended in the Innovation category – sponsored by University of the Highlands and Islands.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
MoROV Subsea Solutions won the Innovation category – sponsored by University of the Highlands and Islands.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
MoROV Subsea Solutions won the Innovation category – sponsored by University of the Highlands and Islands.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
ILM Highland won the Positive Environmental Impact category – sponsored by Pentland Ferries.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
ILM Highland won the Positive Environmental Impact category – sponsored by Pentland Ferries.


Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Serimax won the International Success category – sponsored by Heathrow.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Serimax won the International Success category – sponsored by Heathrow.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Oliver’s Highland Pet Crematorium won the Most Promising New Business category – sponsored by Business Gateway Highland.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Oliver’s Highland Pet Crematorium won the Most Promising New Business category – sponsored by Business Gateway Highland.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Highland Coast Hotels won the Best Marketing Campaign category – sponsored by STV.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Highland Coast Hotels won the Best Marketing Campaign category – sponsored by STV.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Eden Court Highlands won the Outstanding Community Engagement category – sponsored by Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Eden Court Highlands won the Outstanding Community Engagement category – sponsored by Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Kingsmills Hotel were Highly Commended in the Corporate Community Impact category – sponsored by Sumitomo Electric U.K. Power Cables Ltd.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Kingsmills Hotel were Highly Commended in the Corporate Community Impact category – sponsored by Sumitomo Electric U.K. Power Cables Ltd.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival won the Corporate Community Impact category – sponsored by Sumitomo Electric U.K. Power Cables Ltd.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival won the Corporate Community Impact category – sponsored by Sumitomo Electric U.K. Power Cables Ltd.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
WePurpose Technology won the Employer of the Year category – sponsored by Azets.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
WePurpose Technology won the Employer of the Year category – sponsored by Azets.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Matthew Robertson of Gow’s Lybster won the Apprentice of the Year category – sponsored by North Highland Chamber of Commerce.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Matthew Robertson of Gow’s Lybster won the Apprentice of the Year category – sponsored by North Highland Chamber of Commerce.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Mia Keith of Morrison Construction won the Young Employee of the Year category – sponsored by The Springfield Group.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Mia Keith of Morrison Construction won the Young Employee of the Year category – sponsored by The Springfield Group.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Kenny McMillan of Highland Coast Hotels won the Business Leader of the Year category – sponsored by Saffery.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Kenny McMillan of Highland Coast Hotels won the Business Leader of the Year category – sponsored by Saffery.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Serimax won the Highland Business of the Year category – sponsored by Balfour Beatty.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Serimax won the Highland Business of the Year category – sponsored by Balfour Beatty.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Award winners.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Murdo MacAngus of Serimax.

Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

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.