United Wholesale (Scotland) picked up six awards at the annual Scottish Wholesale Achievers, with the business winning the categories for Best Innovation, Best Licensed Wholesaler – Off-Trade, Best Marketing Initiative (for its ‘Spin to Win’ retail initiative), Best Cash & Carry, as well as two individual gongs.
Fáilte Foods,. Booker, Brakes Scotland, Inverarity Morton and CJ Lang were also among the winners at the Achievers, which is now in its 23rd year and recognises excellence across all sectors of the wholesale industry and the achievements that have made a difference to individuals, communities and businesses.
Over 500 guests attended the Achievers gala dinner and awards presentation, hosted by sports broadcaster Eilidh Barbour, at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh, on Thursday, 19 February. Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon MSP, was in attendance.
Read more: SWA relaunches website as part of refreshed purpose and mission
Ms Gougeon is standing down as an MSP at the forthcoming Scottish Parliament election and was thanked for her long‑term support for the industry, the SWA’s Delivering Growth Programme, and the Wholesale Local Food Fund by SWA chief executive Colin Smith.
SWA chief executive Colin Smith said: “Tonight is all about celebrating the outstanding performance and innovation across the Scottish wholesale channel. But more than that, it’s about recognising the people who make this industry what it is. The dedication, the knowledge, the ideas – and yes, the sheer graft – that keep our sector moving every single day.
“The people who work in wholesale are the glue that binds our food and drink industry together – be it those who work in partnership with our producers and suppliers, or those who help support, develop and deliver into the local retailer, hotel, school or hospital.From warehouse assistants to delivery drivers, the people on the ground are the heartbeat of every wholesale business.”
ACHIEVERS 2026 – FULL RESULTS
Rising Star
Winner: Jordan McLay, United Wholesale (Scotland)
Runner-Up: Ewan Harvie, Brakes Scotland
Highly Commended: Katy Mullen, Bidfood Scotland
Wholesale Driver of the Year
Joint Winner: Wendy Blain, CJ Lang & Son
Joint Winner: Alec Cartoon, Brakes Scotland
Highly Commended: Andrew Nelson, Booker Ayr
Wholesale Local Food Champion
Winner: Matt Farmer, Brakes Scotland
Runner-Up: Ewan Harvie, Brakes Scotland
Highly Commended: Katy Mullen, Bidfood Scotland
Supplier Sales Executive of the Year
Winner: Isabelle Stedman, Budweiser Brewing Group
Runner-Up: Kirsten Blockley, Mackie’s of Scotland
Highly Commended: Mark Carlton, AG Barr
Employee of the Year
Winner: Jason Butler, United Wholesale (Scotland)
Runner-Up: Joanne Horne, Bidfood Edinburgh
Highly Commended: Matthew Wardropper, JB Foods
Best Delivered Operation – Retail
Winner: CJ Lang & Son
Runner-Up: United Wholesale (Scotland)
Highly Commended: The Cress Co
Best Delivered Operation – Foodservice
Winner: Fáilte Foods
Runner-Up: Bidfood Edinburgh
Highly Commended: Bidfood Glasgow
Best Foodservice Supplier
Winner: Rowan Glen
Runner-Up: AG Barr
Highly Commended: Jess Fine Foods
Best Symbol Group
Winner: Premier, Booker
Runner-Up: SPAR Scotland, CJ Lang & Son
Highly Commended: Day-Today, United Wholesale (Scotland)
Best Innovation
Winner: United Wholesale (Scotland)
Runner-Up: Sutherland Brothers
Highly Commended: CJ Lang & Son
Best Licensed Wholesaler – On-Trade
Winner: Inverarity Morton
Runner-Up: Dunns Food & Drinks
Highly Commended: Sutherland Brothers
Best Licensed Wholesaler – Off-Trade
Winner: United Wholesale (Scotland)
Runner-Up: Booker
Read more: SWA welcomes business rates movement in Scottish Budget
Great Place to Work
Winner: Brakes Scotland
Runner-Up: Bidfood Edinburgh
Joint Highly Commended: Booker Aberdeen
Joint Highly Commended: Booker Dunfermline
Project Wholesale
Winner: Tayto
Golden Wonder
Runner-Up: Pernod Ricard
Jameson Whiskey
Highly Commended: Wholesale Brand Management and VCT Diablo
Best Advertising Campaign
Winner: IRN-BRU
‘This Is Not A Soft Drink’
Best Marketing Initiative
Winner: United Wholesale (Scotland)
Runner-Up: Inverarity Morton
Highly Commended: Brakes Scotland
Sustainable Wholesaler of the Year
Winner: Booker
Runner-Up: Brakes Scotland
Highly Commended: United Wholesale (Scotland)
Best Overall Service
Winner: AG Barr
Runner-Up: JTI
Highly Commended: Imperial Tobacco
Best Cash & Carry
Winner: United Wholesale (Scotland), Queenslie
Runner-Up: Booker Glasgow
Highly Commended: Booker Dunfermline
