A Grantown-based care home operator and the boss of the Macdonald Aviemore Resort will be flying the flag for the strath at the fast-approaching Highland Business Awards.
Parklands Care Homes is shortlisted for employer of the year and best community engagement by a business while Kenny McMillan is vying for HBA’s business leader of the year.
care firm spokesman Donald Morrison said: “Over the years, our care homes have become true community hubs with initiatives such as playgroups, holiday clubs, lunch clubs and our own Parklands Pride events helping to bring people together.
“Our new Pathways Fund is already making a tangible impact, supporting local projects in education, health, sport and sustainability.
“We are equally proud to be finalists for employer of the year. Our commitment to staff development through extensive training programmes and initiatives like our new ‘Above & Beyond’ recognition scheme, helps foster a positive work environment.
“Our ongoing Mental Health First Aider campaign further ensures employee well-being, and we are excited to soon launch a new charity initiative that will offer further opportunities for staff engagement and community involvement.”
Mr McMillan is up against Angus Davidson of ADL Nature and Calum MacPherson, of Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, in his category.
A resort spokesperson said: “Kenny is incredibly honoured to be recognised alongside other outstanding leaders in the region.
“This nomination reflects his team’s dedication and hard work in achieving his vision for transformative changes at Macdonald Aviemore Resort.”
“Kenny is grateful for his team’s support and is excited about the future developments that will continue to enhance the resort.”
Mr McMillan has appointed a new senior management team to oversee operations and drive growth across key service areas—including leisure, conferences and dining.
As a result the resort reports significantly improvements to the overall guest experience and the resort’s offerings have been enhanced.
Over the past year, Mr McMillan has launched several initiatives to position Macdonald Aviemore Resort as a premier destination in the Highlands.
These initiatives include expanding the resort’s conference and corporate event offerings with the support of sales director Clare Armstrong.
The resort is hosting numerous high-profile events this year, attracting more than 2,000 delegates globally and contributing significantly to the local economy.
He has also focused on elevating the Osprey Arena and auditorium to meet the demand for high-quality entertainment in the Highlands.
Following the closure of the Ironworks in Inverness, this new market segment has introduced a new revenue stream by addressing the previously unmet demand.
Recent events such as the Beluga Lagoon Concert, Highland Comedy Club, and Desperados Eagles Tribute Band have sold out.
Mr McMillan is also passionate about nurturing future talent and community engagement, working closely with Developing Young Workforce (DYW).
He has also been exploring the creation of a hospitality training School at the resort to benefit the local community and industry.
This has involved partnering with stakeholders including the University of the Highlands and Islands, Cairngorms National Park Authority and Inverness Chamber of Commerce.
Mr McMillan believes that a good leader ‘inspires their team to innovate, excel, and maintain high standards in all areas’.
The winners will be announced at the Highland Business Awards ceremony and lunch which takes place on Friday 27 September at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness.
The shortlist involving Parklands are:
Highland Business Award for Community Engagement by a business sponsored by Vattenfall: Balfour Beatty, Murphy Group & Parklands Care Homes.
Highland Business Award for Employer of the Year: Highland BlindCraft, Mowi Scotland & Parklands Care Homes.
A shortlist for all of the contenders for the awards is available by clicking here.
A bit about the awards:
The Highland Business Awards is one of the flagship events of Inverness Chamber of Commerce that celebrates the achievements of businesses throughout the region.
The awards recognise the success of organisations large and small, new and well established, and across all sectors, while offering our business community the chance to socialise with colleagues, rekindle old connections and make new business relationships.
Colin Marr, CEO of Inverness Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the judging panel, explains: “The quality of entries we reviewed this year was outstanding, making the judging process very difficult but a very gratifying exercise – reading about all the amazing work, initiatives and people that makes our region such a unique place to do business.
“The discussions were intense, and the decisions in-depth, so we were extremely grateful to have the insights of our guest judges, from each of our sponsors, who brought their expert knowledge. We are therefore confident that the finalists represent the best of the best.”
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