The voice of businesses across the Scottish Borders is being heard louder than ever on the national and international stage, according to the keynote speaker at the Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards 2026.
Speaking to a capacity audience at Peebles Hydro Hotel, Charandeep Singh, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, praised the strength of the Borders business community and the growing influence of the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce (SBCC).
The annual awards brought together businesses of all sizes from across the region to celebrate achievement, innovation, growth and community impact over the past year.
Charandeep Singh told guests:
“The work that you are doing as businesses in the Borders, and in creating this amazing network and supporting each other through the Chamber, is quite incredible.”
“The Borders Chamber has really come to the fore with chairman Trevor Jackson and the team here, helping government and others to understand the challenges you face in making business work here.”
“As we see tonight, you are achieving real success on a local, national and international scale, and you can rest assured that the voice of Borders business is being heard loud and clear on the national and international stage.”
Scottish Borders businesses looking beyond the region
That international voice is set to grow further when the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce launches its first trade mission to Sweden, taking representatives from Borders businesses to Scandinavia to explore opportunities, make new connections and establish international trade links.
The initiative is part of SBCC’s wider ambition to increase the vision, visibility and voice of Scottish Borders businesses, while creating opportunities for local companies to build relationships beyond the region.
However, at the Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards, the focus was firmly on celebrating the businesses already making an impact at home and further afield.
Borders Competitions named Borders Favourite Business 2026
One of the biggest celebrations of the evening came when Borders Competitions was announced as the Borders Favourite Business 2026.
The company had previously been voted Berwickshire Champion in the district stage of the competition before going on to take the overall title ahead of fellow district champions Eden Café in Melrose, Café ReCharge in Galashiels and The Perfect Fit in Peebles.
Founder Jack Crowe, from Duns, described the win as “unbelievable”.
He said:
“I had the idea three years ago to create an online competitions site that supported people here and brought money back to the Borders, and I’m delighted that in that time so far we’ve been able to hand over £20m in prizes to people and £225,000 to local charities, schools and organisations.”
“It’s amazing to be at an awards night like this, among these incredible businesses, and be told that over 1,400 people in the Borders voted for the ‘Borders Favourite Business’.”
“It means a huge amount that this award has come from our customers, so thank you to them and the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce.”
Celebrating business excellence across the Scottish Borders
A total of 28 trophies, created by Oak & Black, were presented during the evening.
The awards recognised the breadth and diversity of the Borders business community, from major employers and internationally focused manufacturers to small businesses, start-ups and community enterprises.
Companies including Plexus, Emtelle, GoFibre and Farne Salmon & Trout were recognised for innovation, growth and manufacturing excellence, highlighting the increasingly important role Scottish Borders businesses are playing in national and global markets.
Smaller organisations and community-focused enterprises were equally well represented, with businesses including Sustainable Borders, HomePhysio by Nicola, Your Local Friend and Sea The Change recognised for their contribution to communities, wellbeing and quality of life across the region.
The awards were organised by the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, led by Chair Trevor Jackson and Engagement Manager Roz Haughey.
Representatives from other Chambers of Commerce across Scotland also attended, alongside organisations including South of Scotland Enterprise and the South of Scotland Destination Alliance.
Strengthening the voice of Borders business
Trevor Jackson said celebrating local success was an important part of the Chamber’s wider vision for economic growth.
“Celebrating what we do in this region is a huge part of the vision we have for growing the Borders economy, and another part of it is looking outward to strengthen the Borders’ voice and visibility globally."
“We are getting to the top tables with Scottish and UK governments, and shaping the thinking locally of Scottish Borders Council, South of Scotland Enterprise, South of Scotland Destination Alliance and many more, but we can’t do any of that without the Chamber network."
“So I’d urge anyone not yet part of the Chamber to join us.”
The Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce is open to businesses of all sizes and sectors across the region, providing opportunities to connect, collaborate, raise their profile and ensure the voice of Borders businesses is represented locally, nationally and internationally.
SBBEA 2026 Award Winners
Environmental Impact Award
Winner – Eildon Housing Association
Highly Commended – Sustainable Borders
Large Business of the Year
Winner – Farne Salmon & Trout Ltd
Highly Commended – Plexus Corp Ltd
Innovation in Business
Winner – Emtelle
Highly Commended – Plexus Corp Ltd
Developing Young Workforce (DYW) Business of the Year
Winner – Evolution BPS
Highly Commended – Wright Flow Ltd
Micro Business of the Year
Winner – HomePhysio by Nicola
Highly Commended – Motivity Solutions
Manufacturing Business of the Year
Winner – Plexus Corp Ltd
Highly Commended – Emtelle
High Growth Business of the Year
Winner – GoFibre
Highly Commended – Wright Flow Ltd
SME Business of the Year
Winner – Unique Cottages
Highly Commended – Pearsons of Duns
Food & Drink Producer of the Year
Winner – The Homestead Café and Farm Shop
Highly Commended – Grazers
Family Business of the Year
Winner – Pearsons of Duns
Highly Commended – Braw Retail Café at FINDRA
New Business of the Year
Winner – Fine Feathers
Highly Commended – Moira
Community Impact Award
Winner – Sea The Change
Highly Commended – Your Local Friend
Borders Favourite Business 2026
Winner – Borders Competitions
District Champions – The Perfect Fit, Café ReCharge and Eden Café
Find out more about the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, membership opportunities and upcoming events at borderschamber.com.
