Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the 20th annual ICON Awards on Friday, 20th September 2024, at Greenock Town Hall. The milestone event, sponsored by Diodes Incorporated, honoured the outstanding achievements of Inverclyde's businesses over the past year, with 11 distinguished companies and individuals receiving top honours.

This year's ICON Awards, marking two decades of excellence, introduced the highly anticipated "Rising Star Award", which recognises individuals under 25 who are excelling in their field. This new category underscores the Chamber’s dedication to fostering and nurturing young talent within Inverclyde.

Hosted by the dynamic Gerry McDade, the ceremony was a celebration of local business triumphs, attended by an enthusiastic crowd of over 180  guests. The evening began with a lively welcome from Gerry, setting the tone for an inspiring night of recognition and celebration. Attendees included prominent figures from the business community, local government, and national leadership, with distinguished guests such as Minister for Employment and Investment Tom Arthur, Dr. Liz Cameron CBE, MP Martin McCluskey, MSP Stuart McMillan, Council Leader Stephen McCabe, and Inverclyde Provost Drew McKenzie lending their support to the occasion.

Local DJ and music producer Bruce Glenny provided the entertainment for the night. At just 24 years old, the Gourock native is the founder of Summer Friends Productions (SFPR), a successful music events business. Bruce has built a strong reputation both locally and nationally, having performed at nearly all local venues and multiple times at the renowned TRNSMT Festival.

One of the evening's most memorable moments was the highly anticipated raffle, which successfully raised £1595 for Ocean Youth Trust Scotland, the Chamber's chosen charity partner for the event. This charity, selected by the Chamber’s members, is dedicated to providing transformative sailing experiences for young people, helping them develop crucial life skills and confidence. The raffle featured a range of attractive prizes generously donated by local businesses and sponsors, adding an element of excitement and generosity to the evening.

Reflecting on the success of the event, ICC President Lizzy Todd remarked, “We are thrilled with the success of this year’s ICON Awards, which provided a superb platform to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our local businesses. The introduction of the Rising Star Award was particularly exciting, as it showcases the emerging talent that will shape the future of Inverclyde’s business community.

“We witnessed a fantastic response from our sponsors, participating companies, and guests, and were delighted to welcome several new businesses to the Chamber. I’d like to extend my thanks to Jenna Lynn, Corey Beaton, and the entire Chamber board for their hard work leading up to and during the event. Their efforts ensured that our guests had a memorable experience and that the ceremony was truly special. Special thanks also to Greenock Town Hall and First Choice Catering for their unwavering support in making this event a success”. 

Full List of Winners:

ICON Award for Entrepreneurism (Sponsored by Tweetiepie Media): Downriver Coffee Roasters

ICON Award for Business Growth (Sponsored by Business Gateway Inverclyde): Fairlie Curved

ICON Award for Community Benefits (Sponsored by Golden Casket Group): Diodes Incorporated

ICON Award for Sustainability (Sponsored by AdSmart from Sky): J.G.B Steelcraft (UK) Limited

ICON Award for Business Resilience (Sponsored by Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce): Treasured

ICON Award for Skills Development (Sponsored by James Walker Devol): RIG Arts

ICON Award for Tourism (Sponsored by Tonino’s Pizzeria): Kilmacolm Farm Tours

ICON Award for Health & Wellbeing (Sponsored by Specsavers): Inverclyde Women’s Aid

ICON Award for Diversity (Sponsored by Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce): Ocean Youth Trust Scotland

ICON Award for Internationalism (Sponsored by PG Paper): Safer Group

Rising Star Award (Sponsored by Diodes Incorporated): Shaun Wiseman