Chance for Scottish businesses to celebrate their export success

Scottish businesses have until Thursday 4 May to submit their nominations to be included in the prestigious Scottish Export Index, launched to recognise the continued success of companies on the global stage.

Nicki Clark

The Scotsman is the media partner for the new Scottish Export Index which has 12 categories open to nominations from businesses that export goods or services. Scotland’s exporters are of vital importance to the economy, accounting for more than £87 billion of trade globally.

The Scottish Export Index is formerly known as the Scottish Export Awards, which were last held in 2018, and is run by business support services provider UMi. The awards garnered more than 150 nominations from companies across Scotland when they were last held before the Covid-19 pandemic. Previous winners include Bridge of Weir Leather, Pure Malt Products, Teknek UK and Trtl.

The index is designed to give businesses the chance to be recognised among the elite of Scotland’s export community. The campaign will culminate in an event at Brodies LLP in Edinburgh on 23 May to celebrate those businesses that have demonstrated what can be achieved in export markets.

With headline sponsors HSBC working alongside strategic partner Scottish Government, the index will see businesses recognised in a diverse range of categories. Organisers said the 2022 Scottish Export Index will have an underlying focus on sustainability, with a new dedicated award category for ‘Net Zero Exporter’. Judges will recognise businesses that can demonstrate themselves as responsible exporters who take action to reduce the carbon footprint of their export sales.

With the overall Scottish export market expected to grow to £30 billion by 2030, the judging panel - including a representative from The Scotsman - will be on the lookout for businesses that have demonstrated impressive growth in new markets and a bold willingness to invest in their future growth.

Nicki Clark OBE, UMi chief executive, said: “It’s never been more important that Scottish businesses are inspired, celebrated, motivated and supported to start or continue exporting their goods and services. We’re delighted to be launching this year’s Scottish Export Index, which will achieve that and much more.”

Since 2007, UMi said it has worked with more than 450,000 businesses across the UK, helped leverage over £650m of private sector investment, created or safeguarded more than 30,000 jobs and facilitated contract wins of over £30m.

Leigh Briggs, regional director of Global Trade & Receivables Finance for North of England & Scotland at HSBC, said: “This campaign is a recognition of the great efforts and excellence demonstrated by Scottish businesses exporting their goods and services, and a very timely celebration given the challenges that many have experienced in the last couple of years.”

Categories are: Micro Exporter; SME Exporter; Large Exporter; Macro Exporter; New to Export; Emerging Markets Exporter; High Growth Markets Exporter; E Commerce Exporter; Food and Drink Exporter; Net Zero Exporter; High Value Manufacturing Exporter and Digital Exporter.

Companies looking for more information and to register their interest, should visit https://www.scottishexportindex.co.uk/. All nominations will close on Thursday 4 May.