ALLOA Community Enterprises are the top social enterprise in Scotland, and that’s official – after last week’s award ceremony at the Scottish Parliament.

The local firm, which iscelebrating its 25th birthday this year, scooped first place in the category for enterprises with a turnover of £1 million plus at the first Social Enterprise Scotland Awards.

To win ACE had to overcome a challenge by two of the biggest players in their field, the Wise Group and Haven Products.

A delighted ACE boss Malcolm McArdle said the win was a tribute to all that had been achieved in the last four years.

He said: “We are delighted to have been chosen and to have received such positive feedback from the judging panel.”

“The board has put in a real concerted effort to turn around the business side of ACE and that what the judging panel voted for.”

The awards were presented by John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth.

Accompanying Malcolm on the night was ACE’s new chair The Rt Hon George Reid.

The former deputy presiding officer?and?ex-MSP?said: “Social enterprise has a bright future after the global economic crisis.  It means using best business practice to generate a profit for the community.  

“Clackmannanshire should be proud that it has a front-runner in ACE”.

Back in Alloa ACE staff were treated to an impromptu champagne reception.

Now the team have their sights set on winning the UK award, taking on the best from England, Ireland and Wales.

Travelling south to the awards ceremony in London next month as part of the ACE delegation will be employee Gary Kidd.

Gary was ACE’s first ever employee 24 years ago and he is still with the company today as a senior driver in the small business service.

Gary is married to Linda, who was ACE’s second employee. She is now operations superviser.

Malcolm praised the couple’s devotion saying: “Gary and Linda have brought up their family working for ACE and it’s only right that Gary gets to join us in London.”

As part of the prize the company wins £5000 cash which they now intend to donate to charity.

And it will be up to a group of workers to decide who is to benefit.

The employee liaison committee gets training from ACE that enables them to control their own budget and make the vital decisions.

This week reaction to the good news came from both MSP Keith Brown and MP Gordon Banks.

Mr Brown said: “Since ACE was set up in 1984 it has gone from strength to strength, proving to be a leader in the field of recycling as well as demonstrating what a social enterprise is all about.”

And he added that he was sure the company would do Clackmannanshire proud at the London awards.

Mr Banks praised ACEs ‘professionalism and hard work’,  adding: “To win the Scottish award is an excellent achievement for Malcolm and his team and I would urge everyone to get behind ACE and vote for them to bring the UK award back to Alloa.”

In the UK final ACE will be up against the Bryson Charitable Group, from Northern Ireland; the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales; and Global Ethics, from England.

But you can help influence the result by going to the online voting website which people across the UK can use to decide which are the best social enterprises and name one the Social Enterprise of the Year. 
Visit www.socialenterpriseawards.org.uk/awards_vote.php  to cast your vote – until November 30)