SCOTLAND’S First Minister has handed over a prestigious award to a unique county business.

Jerba Campervans, based at Halfland Barns, near North Berwick, won the First Minister’s Award for Manufacturing Leadership for its outstanding efforts in employee engagement and welfare.

Co-founders of the firm Simon Poole and Catherine Brookes, along with trustee David Miller, were presented with the award by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House in Edinburgh this month.

The accolade celebrates competitive and innovative manufacturing companies in Scotland which champion fair work and inclusivity while investing in the skills and wellbeing of their employees and contributing positively to the planet.

Mr Poole described it as “a great privilege” for the business to have been recognised in such a high-profile way.

He said: “To be rewarded for the work we are doing is very humbling and this achievement marks a really fantastic opportunity for both the company and employee ownership as a whole.

“We believe that staff are at the heart of any business and we hope that winning this award will open even more doors for us as we continue to highlight the advantages of employee ownership.

“Since its inception in 2006, Jerba Campervans has focused on an ethical approach to business and an inclusive approach to working with staff.

“We were guided through our transition into employee ownership by Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS), a core part of Scottish Enterprise – their experience and insight has certainly underpinned our continued growth and success.

“Employee ownership makes our workplace a fulfilling and positive experience that enables employees to have a real voice.”

During the application process, Jerba Campervans illustrated how the company was strengthened by employee ownership, how its staff had benefitted from the scheme and how staff had provided support in other aspects of the business, including eco-friendly initiatives.

As well as its 100 per cent employee-owned credentials, Jerba Campervans has recently joined the Good Business Charter, which measures and recognises responsible business practices through components such as employee wellbeing.

The business specialises in converting and customising Volkswagen Transporter vans for those passionate about adventure and the outdoors.

The First Minister said: “I am very pleased to announce Jerba Campervans has won the First Minister’s Award for Manufacturing Leadership. All of the applications received for the award were of a very high standard. However, with their responsive employee driven approach, Jerba Campervans best exemplified the ethos of the award.

“In demonstrating how a productive and growing company can at the same time offer real benefits to staff, community and the environment, they clearly demonstrated the principle that business for good is good for business.”