BUSINESSES were buzzing with excitement at the grand final of this year's 'Bee's Knees' awards.

Guests waited with great anticipation to hear the winners for the Chamber of Commerce prizes in the marquee at the Chartroom, Kip Marina.

The top accolade of the evening, 'The President's Award', was presented to Hugh McKechnie Currie in recognition of his significant contribution to Scottish business.

The 300-strong audience heard about Hugh's life and his impressive list of achievements over many years.

After leaving school, he studied at Glasgow University and London Business School before achieving a civil engineering degree and going on to become a chartered engineer and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Hugh was fully employed in engineering positions before entering Lithgow’s, where he rose through the ranks to become group managing director in 1992 - a post he held until his retirement in 2011 after 32 years of service.

Over the decades, Hugh, who is a Deputy Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, established himself as a key business influencer throughout Scotland, working in the positions of member, vice-chair and chair of various organisations such as the CBI, Regional Chairman’s Panel and the Scottish Manufacturing Working Group and Industrial Trends Panel.

Linda Scott, president of Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce, says Hugh is an inspiration.

She said: "Our warmest congratulations go to Hugh and another superb line up of Bee’s Knees Business Awards winners 2018.

"This awards initiative gives companies the opportunity to showcase their successes and their ambitions, which are providing the foundations for continued growth here in Inverclyde.

"We thank our sponsors for joining with us to celebrate the impressive achievements of both winners and finalists and helping us show how much we have to be proud of here in Inverclyde."

Also celebrating success were staff from the Holiday Inn Express who scooped the 'Proud to Be in Inverclyde' gong.

It was also a proud night for Wet Wall Works which took home the 'Most Promising New Business' award.

Morton in the Community were cheering when they claimed the 'Excellence in Skills & Learning' accolade.

Meanwhile, the 'Most Inspiring Sole Trader' gong went to Leapmoor.

The talented team from the Waterfront Cinema were thrilled to win the 'Outstanding Customer Service' prize.

Emma Smith from PG Paper was delighted to win the 'Emerging Young Talent' award while Caledonian MacBrayne received the Best Brand Promotional Campaign.

The 'Inspiring Professional of the Year' award was presented to McClure Solicitors while The Balmore Group took 'Best use of Innovation/ Digital Technology'.

Staff from Specsavers could not believe their eyes when they received the coveted 'Inverclyde Business of The Year' award.

The organisers were keen to thank everyone who made the evening so special including top Scottish comedy actor, Karen Dunbar and all the sponsors.

*photos courtesy of Alasdair Bryson, Feature Developments*