OilVoice - AquaTerra Celebrates Success at Grampian Business Awards

AquaTerra Celebrates Success at Grampian Business Awards

Monday, October 26, 2009

Rope access specialist for decommissioning and integrity services, AquaTerra Solutions, celebrates being named ‘Employer of the Year’ at this year’s annual Grampian Business Awards by Enterprise North East Trust.

The award recognises the organisation that can best demonstrate corporate success achieved through well-adopted business values that stimulate and support the business's workforce.

The honour was given to the company after they were shortlisted in two categories that also included Business Success over Three Years.

Under their management, AquaTerra has grown to become a global leader in the provision of specialist work-at-height services, where the skill and competence of their technicians sees them carrying out work in conditions and environments that many workers would find difficult to comprehend.

On receiving the award, Pete Robinson, Managing Director, says:
“I’m delighted and honoured that we have been recognised in this way. To have been shortlisted in two categories was already an achievement in our eyes so we’re delighted to have received this award and so thankful to our staff who insisted on putting us forward.

For us, this award validates the effort made by everyone which makes AquaTerra Solutions the successful business that it is today. No one would deny that the client is a very important part of any business process; but, depending on your perspective, they are not necessarily the only important part.”

Gary McEwan, chief executive of Enterprise says: “The awards are the perfect platform to celebrate talented individuals and businesses that are making their mark on the north-east economy.

This year’s finalists couldn’t be more different, however, they share the same ingredients required to be successful in business: tenacity, enthusiasm, commitment and innovation

AquaTerra is an excellent example of an organisation which is contributing effectively to the local economy and through their achievements, raising the profile of Aberdeen City.”

The event, which was attended by some 450 business men and women, began with a champagne reception on Thursday 22 October at the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel. The winners were announced at the black tie awards dinner. Dr Frank Dick OBE, former coach of Olympic gold medal winners Daley Thompson and Denise Lewis, delivered a keynote speech to finalists at the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise.

Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise 2009
The north east business community gathered on Thursday 22 October 2009 for the tenth Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise. The ceremony celebrated the business achievements and entrepreneurship of companies and individuals in the north east of Scotland. A diverse range of organisations shared the limelight at this year's event from oil and gas, food and childcare to pole dancing.

The annual Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise are organised by Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise) and sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council. Held at the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel, Dr Frank Dick OBE, former coach of Olympic gold medal winners Daley Thompson and Denise Lewis delivered the keynote address.

The category winners in the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise 2009 were:

Promising New Business Award: offshore caterers Entier Limited, Aberdeen
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Sian Ajose, Soul-POLE, a pole dancing and fitness school based in Aberdeen
The Alick Buchanan Smith Spirit of Enterprise Award: ITF (Industry Technology Facilitator), an Aberdeen-based promoter of offshore technology
Employer of the Year Award; AquaTerra Solutions, an Aberdeen-based provider of work at height and complex access services
Business Success under 3 Years Award: Abbeyfield Lodge Children's Unit, Fraserburgh which is a provider of residential care for young people aged eight to 18
Business Success over 3 Years Award: energy efficient ventilation system installers, Active Sustainable Energy Systems Limited from Aberdeen
Wood Group Award for Innovation: pipe project consultants, flexlife Limited, Aberdeen
Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Alfie Cheyne of hydraulic winch designers and manufacturers ACE Winches, Banff
Entrepreneurial Supporter of the Year Award: Bob Keiller, director of PSN based in Dyce

Special commendation was given to Grant Keenan of Keenan Recycling Ltd, Turriff, a finalist in the Entrepreneur of the Year category.

Gary McEwan, chief executive of Enterprise says, "Supporting entrepreneurial spirit is our key objective. The Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise is the perfect platform to celebrate talented individuals and businesses that are making their mark on the north east economy. This year's winners couldn't be more different, however, they share the same ingredients required to be successful in business - tenacity, enthusiasm, commitment and innovation. It is this winning combination that will help to lead the economy out of recession."

Mark Gall, regional director business & commercial banking, north of Scotland for The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) the main sponsor of the event, says, "We were extremely impressed by the lengths that some of our finalists have gone to, to make their business dreams become reality. They are truly an inspiration to us all and clearly show that even in difficult times there are opportunities to be seized."