The Highland Business Awards 2026 celebrated the businesses and individuals making a difference across the region, recognising achievement in innovation, international growth, community impact, environmental action, leadership and the development of Highland talent. More than 270 business leaders, finalists, sponsors and guests gathered at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on Friday, to celebrate this year’s outstanding achievements.
From ambitious new businesses and emerging talent to established organisations making their mark at home and internationally, this year’s finalists demonstrated the breadth and ambition that continues to shape Highland business.
The Awards were supported by Principal Sponsor The Highland Council, alongside our category sponsors and partners who helped us celebrate the achievements from across the region.
Relive the highlights and atmosphere of the Highland Business Awards 2026 through our highlights reel and picture gallery here.
Congratulations to all our 2026 finalists, highly commended businesses and winners.
Highland Business Award for 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
Highland Business Award for 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.
Highland Business Award for 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.
Highland Business Award 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.
Highland Business Award for 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.
Highland Business Award for 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.
Highland Business Award for 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
Highland Business Award for 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.
Highland Business Award for 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.
Highland Business Award for 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.
Highland Business Award for 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.
Trophies sponsored by Dynam
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!