Monday October 31, 2022
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- Leading care provider recognised for business resilience, business leadership and named Business of the Year
Leading care provider Balhousie Care Group has swept the board at the prestigious Courier Business Awards, where it scooped three awards, including Business of the Year.
The Perth-based company, which runs 26 care facilities across six regions of Scotland, beat off stiff competition from businesses across Tayside and Fife to take home the awards, which recognised its business resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, and business leadership.
The Resilience and Recovery award is new to the Courier Business Awards. Balhousie won for its financial investment and future-proofing, despite the business hurdles created by the pandemic. Investment in the business included technology, communications and new employee assistance and wellbeing programmes. The company also set up a staff hardship fund.
Tony Banks, founder and former Chairman of Balhousie Care Group, was named Business Leader of the Year after three decades at the helm of the care provider.
A former Army Para and Falklands veteran, Tony founded the company in 1992 with a care home in Kirriemuir and a vision to provide a better alternative to older person’s care. Now employing more than 1400 staff, Balhousie Care Group is an influential force on Scotland’s business landscape.
Through innovation, strong community partnerships, enabling residents to ‘bust myths’ through peson-centred and meaningful activities, and a keen eye on how to stay ahead of the social care curve, Balhousie has redefined the meaning of ‘care’.
Balhousie Care Group was recently bought by Belgian company AcalisCare. Tony remains an investor in Balhousie and will concentrate on his other business ventures.
John Kirk, Deputy Chief Executive Officer with Balhousie Care Group, said: “These awards are for our staff, who worked tirelessly throughout the most challenging years the care sector has ever seen. We are grateful to The Courier Business Awards for introducing the new Resilience and Recovery category, which recognises how difficult the pandemic has been for the whole business community.”
He added: “In addition, being recognised as Business of the Year among such strong contenders means the world to us and our staff.”
Tony said of his Business Leader of the Year accolade: “I’m delighted to have this recognition for Balhousie and its staff, especially at the end of three decades in business. I have always said that buildings don’t deliver care, people do. I am thankful to have had such a dedicated, talented workforce come on this journey with me to create not just a major force in social care, but a major Scottish employer.”
Balhousie Care Group is also a finalist in the upcoming Scottish Care Awards, with two employees shortlisted; the Great British Care Awards, with another two finalists; and the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business STAR Awards.
For more information visit www.balhousiecare.co.uk
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Photo captions:
- Stage shot: Terry Banks, third from left, collects the Business Leader of the Year award on behalf of Tony. She is pictured with, second right, Cheryl Roy, Home Manager of Balhousie St Ronan’s, presenter and comedian Ed Byrne (far right) and representatives of sponsor Henderson Loggie (far left and first left).
- Group shot: Balhousie Care Group staff accept the Resilience & Recovery Award
- Tony Banks, founder and former Chairman of Balhousie Care Group
- Balhousie Care Group stock shot
- Link to more photos here: https://io100276128-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/gillian_drummond_balhousiecare_co_uk/EjgxNReuNFRMpA0FSy_YN1EBdANkfNv8Yiq-oO86aQu-5A?e=Tzmyw7
For media enquiries please contact Gillian Drummond on gillian.drummond@balhousiecare.co.uk or call 07365 284994.
Notes to Editors
About Balhousie Care Group
Balhousie Care Group was formed 30 years ago to fill a gap in quality residential care in North East Scotland. Today, with 26 homes in the area, it is one of the leading providers of care for the elderly in Scotland, providing care to almost 1000 residents.
Owned by AcalisCare, Balhousie Care prides itself on its person-centred approach to care. Putting people right at the forefront of everything they do; it’s inclusive of everyone. They capture this philosophy through the roll out of ‘Together We’re Great’, an initiative which recognises the skills, talents, attributes and support areas for each and every person involved in the organisation. Together We’re Great aims to value individuality and promote excellence across the organisation.
A Participation Charter – a first-of-its-kind in the care home sector – commits to residents getting a bigger say than ever in the care they receive, from writing care home policies to recruiting staff.
Balhousie Care Group is the recipient of numerous awards. These include three Scottish Care Awards, three 2022 Courier Business Awards including Business of the Year, a 2022 s1Jobs Shine Award and a 2021 Great British Care Award.
