A 162-year-old Dundee mill took the top prize at the Courier Business Awards 2026, a Perth housebuilding legend was honoured by the First Minister, and 20 trophies went to firms across Tayside, Fife and Stirling.
Dundee fabric maker Halley Stevensons has been named Business of the Year at the 2026 Courier Business Awards, capping a night that celebrated companies from every corner of Courier Country.
Around 800 guests packed the Apex City Quay Hotel on Friday 30 October for the black-tie ceremony, held in partnership with accountants Henderson Loggie and hosted by broadcaster Jackie Bird. A record number of entries came in this year, and every shortlisted business was visited by senior staff from The Courier and Henderson Loggie before the judges made their decisions.
Story of the night: a Dundee mill that never stopped innovating
Founded in 1864 at the Baltic Works, Halley Stevensons started out weaving heavy sailcloth for the city’s whaling fleet. Over the past half-century it has become a world leader in waxed cotton, supplying Italian fashion houses, Patagonia and Barbour.
The Courier reported that a recent move to employee ownership has paid off, with sales up 36% last year to £14 million. The firm had already won the Medium to Large Business award earlier in the evening before its team went back on stage for the top prize.
An Outstanding Contribution from Geoff Brown
First Minister John Swinney presented a special Outstanding Contribution award to Geoff Brown, who founded Perth housebuilder GS Brown Construction in 1970. Now 83 and still in the office most days, he is also remembered for transforming St Johnstone after taking over the club in 1986, and for founding the Gesby Charity, which runs a riding centre for disabled people near Kinfauns.
It was a big night all round for the Brown family. GS Brown also won the Perthshire Family award and the Overall Family title.
Other highlights
Stirling’s Quickblock, which has landed global contracts with its stackable construction cubes, took Innovation and Technology. Scott & Fyfe managing director Michelle Quadrelli was named Business Leader, Assai Records won Brand Marketing and Social Media, and AJ Renewables claimed Transition to Net Zero after reaching three finals.
Closer to home, Dundee’s Economy Car and Van Hire won the Dundee Family award, and Verdala took Small Business.
Every winner and finalist
- Apprentice (sponsored by Apex Hotels)
Winner: Dave Cooper, JML SIPs
Finalists: Arran Ramsay-King (Gillies and Mackay), Dave Cooper (JML Contracts), Jamie Ross (MVV Environment Baldovie), Kieran Smith (Robertson Construction Tayside) - Brand Marketing and Social Media (sponsored by Alpha Projects)
Winner: Assai Records
Finalists: Assai Records, Money Bee Media, OnFife, The Crystal Shop - Business Leader (sponsored by Blackadders LLP)
Winner: Michelle Quadrelli, Scott & Fyfe
Finalists: Julie Cosgrove (Caledonia Housing Association), Michelle Quadrelli (Scott & Fyfe), Scott Pearson (THREE60 Energy) - Community (sponsored by Dundee and Angus College)
Winner: Kanzen For Life
Finalists: Dundee Bairns, Kanzen For Life, Montrose Community Trust, The Yard Dundee - Employer of the Year (sponsored by Dundee Science Centre)
Winner: Caledonia Housing Association
Finalists: Caledonia Housing Association, Robertson Construction Tayside - Family – Angus (sponsored by Thorntons)
Winner: Fallones Pizzas & Gelato Italian Catering
Finalists: Ashley Hutton (Ashley Hutton Hair Extensions), Fallones Pizzas & Gelato Italian Catering, Whyte Cargo - Family – Dundee (sponsored by Thorntons)
Winner: Economy Car and Van Hire
Finalists: Economy Car and Van Hire, Spaces Taylored - Family – Fife (sponsored by Thorntons)
Winner: Pettycur Bay Holiday Park
Finalists: Cookstars Dunfermline to Cowdenbeath, Home Sweet Home Estate Agents, Pettycur Bay Holiday Park - Family – Perthshire, and Overall Family (sponsored by Thorntons)
Winner: GS Brown Construction
Finalists: GS Brown Construction, JML Group, Wood Leisure Holiday Parks - Growth (sponsored by Montrose Port Authority)
Winner: THREE60 Energy – GA Engineering Sliding Head
Finalists: AJ Renewables, GS Brown Construction, THREE60 Energy – GA Engineering Sliding Head - Innovation and Technology (sponsored by SSEN Transmission)
Winner: Quickblock
Finalists: AJ Renewables, ATL Turbine Services, Quickblock - Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality (sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland)
Winner: Fairmont St Andrews
Finalists: Fairmont St Andrews, Homelands Trust Fife, The Pickled Peacock - Medium to Large Business (sponsored by Barratt Homes)
Winner: Halley Stevensons
Finalists: GS Brown Construction, Halley Stevensons, Hillcrest, Scott & Fyfe - Service (sponsored by Walker Luxury Jeweller)
Winner: ESP Group
Finalists: ESP Group, Morton of Pitmilly, Verus Financial Planning - Small Business (sponsored by Gilson Gray)
Winner: Verdala
Finalists: Discovery Stone, Precision Data Solutions, The Crystal Shop, Verdala - Transition to Net Zero (sponsored by Forth Ports)
Winner: AJ Renewables
Finalists: AJ Renewables, Fairmont St Andrews, Scarf, The Natural Energy Company - Young Business (sponsored by Space Solutions)
Winner: Pinchy’s Gelato
Finalists: Enriched Being, Harmony Homes Estate Agency, Pinchy’s Gelato, The Cart Shed Tearoom, TinyGyms
Business of the Year: Halley Stevensons. Outstanding Contribution: Geoff Brown, GS Brown Construction.
The judging panel was chaired by Courier editor David Clegg, alongside Scottish Government chief entrepreneur Ana Stewart, Direct Soccer director Joyce Gibson, former deputy first minister Kate Forbes, Courier business editor Rob McLaren and Henderson Loggie managing partner David Smith.
Congratulations to every winner and finalist. You can see the full set of pictures from the night and reaction from all the winners on The Courier.
Awards season isn’t over for Tayside firms. Dundee’s McIntyres Salons is a finalist in five categories at the British Hairdressing Business Awards 2027, with winners revealed in London on 1 March. Read more about McIntyres’ five nominations.
Sources
- Courier Business Awards 2026: Our Business of the Year revealed — The Courier, 30 Oct 2026
- Courier Business Awards 2026: Pictures and reaction from all the winners — The Courier, 31 Oct 2026
- Courier Business Awards 2026: Full shortlist ahead of tonight’s ceremony — The Courier
- 99 best pictures from Courier Business Awards 2026 — The Courier
- Courier Business Awards 2026 finalists revealed — The Courier, 25 Aug 2026
- Best pictures from the finalists’ reception at V&A Dundee — The Courier
