Eligibility Criteria
Entrants must operate in the Highlands and Islands. There is no need for the business to be based in the region but there should be a significant element of business done – significant may refer to size or to impact.
Entrants should not be engaged in a current political campaign as an MP or MSP, or plan to do so in the next twelve months. Holding office as a Councillor will not stop nominations being accepted.
Sponsors may not enter the category they are sponsoring, but may enter other categories.
Entries for the awards will close at 5pm on Wednesday 8th July 2026.
This award celebrates the business or organisation working in the Highlands & Islands which best demonstrates a track-record of outstanding achievement in the global marketplace, involving a successful internationalisation or export strategy which underpins growth and an ability to innovate and break into new markets.
A commitment to purposeful business allows organisations to solve the problems of people and the planet profitably, without harming either. This award will recognise the small or medium sized organisation that has best demonstrated how business can be both purposeful and profitable.
Entrants will be able to evidence innovation in the development of products and/or services, within a culture of inclusion and openness which inspires employees to contribute towards business improvement, ideas and overall employee wellbeing.
This award recognises an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership, delivers sustained and measurable impact, and has helped drive strategic growth and performance across their organisation.
The award is open to women leaders at all senior levels. While C-suite nominations are welcome, we also encourage nominations of women in senior and emerging leadership roles who have demonstrated excellence, influence, and strategic impact.
Scotland’s natural capital is in abundance in the Highlands and Islands and must be preserved and enhanced on the journey towards net zero. The winner of this award will demonstrate how they are delivering positive environmental impact in their work.
This could include investing in peatland restoration, creating a circular economy within communities, innovation in recycling, investing in new greener production processes or becoming a net zero organisation. The award is open to organisations of all sizes, and the emphasis will be on the degree of commitment to action on sustainability and championing Scotland’s natural capital.
This award celebrates the business or organisation working in the Highlands & Islands that best demonstrates an exceptional record of community engagement and positive local impact.
Nominees will show evidence of meaningful community outreach and consultation, active participation and co-design of community-led initiatives, and/or staff volunteering and schools outreach, with clear examples of partnership, responsiveness and lasting benefit.
This award celebrates an organisation which develops new or innovative ways to build its workforce, recruiting local talent through pathways from school or further and higher education, by upskilling and reskilling its current workforce and by attracting talent to the area to fill skills gaps.
The winner will be contributing positively to its workforce and wider community by developing skills, unlocking potential, and creating opportunities for emerging and existing talent.