ICON Business Awards 2024

That the Parliament congratulates all the winners at Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 ICON Business Awards; understands that Fairlie Curved won an award for building a brand dedicated to creating stylish, affordable clothing for fuller bust women; notes that Downriver Coffee Roasters won the award for Entrepreneurism for launching a speciality coffee roastery within Inverclyde, which is providing fresh, ethically sourced coffee to numerous local businesses; recognises that, in the Diversity category, Ocean Youth Trust Scotland was announced as the winner for empowering over 15,000 young people from a range of backgrounds and challenging circumstances; understands that RIG Arts won the award for Skills Development, as its nurturing, person-centred approach when delivering local projects is helping people of all ages grow in confidence and self-worth; further understands that the JGB Steelcraft won the Sustainability award for the business’s ongoing efforts to integrate eco-friendly practices and innovative refurbishment programmes; notes that Inverclyde Women’s Aid was announced as the winner of the Health and Wellbeing award for the organisation’s strong commitment to addressing and alleviating the impacts of domestic abuse; understands that the award for Internationalism went to Safer Group for the company’s global expansion efforts, with its Safer POD technology setting new standards not only in the UK, but across six different countries; acknowledges that Diodes came out on top in the Community Benefit category in recognition of its dedication to improving the lives of Inverclyde residents, supporting charitable organisations and enhancing local businesses; understands that Kilmacolm Farm Tours was named winner of the Tourism award in recognition of husband-and-wife partnership Wendy and James’s hard work to establish a successful and growing tourism business within just three years; further understands that, when it came to Business Resilience, the award went to Treasured, for how Coleen, founder and owner of the business, has built the shop into a go-to destination for unique fits and jewellery, despite what it considers to be the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing economic challenges facing retail stores; congratulates 19-year-old Shaun Wiseman on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for being a dedicated supporter of Ocean Youth Trust Scotland since his first voyage, participating in various fundraising challenges, including a year of 20 gruelling tasks for the Trust’s 20th anniversary; believes that the ICON Business Awards provide a boost to local businesses and charities, and provides a space for their achievements to be celebrated; applauds all those who were nominated, and thanks Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce for all of its work in the community.