Scottish Wholesale Association announces Achievers 2026 winners

Scotland’s most innovative and forward-thinking wholesalers – and their people – were recognised at the Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards last night (19 February).

Some of the winners of Achievers 2026.

Now in its 23rd year, Achievers is organised by the Scottish Wholesale Association and recognises excellence across all sectors of the wholesale industry.

Over 500 guests attended the Achievers gala dinner and awards presentation, hosted by sports broadcaster Eilidh Barbour, at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh.

Categories up for grabs incorporated retail, foodservice, licensed, technology, sustainability and marketing. There was also an award for the wholesaler deemed Great Place to Work.

Recognising the importance of people within the wholesale industry, individuals were crowned Rising Star, Employee of the Year, Wholesale Local Food Champion, Supplier Sales Executive of the Year, and Wholesale Driver of the Year.

Each winner in the people categories received £1,000, while each runner-up received £500 and each highly commended candidate £250.

United Wholesale (Scotland) triumphed as the wholesaler with the most awards, claiming Employee of the Year (Jason Butler), Rising Star (Jordan McLay), Best Innovation, Best Licensed Wholesaler – Off-Trade, Best Marketing Initiative (for its ‘Spin to Win’ retail initiative) and Best Cash & Carry.

Suppliers were recognised for their support of the wholesale sector, and AG Barr won two of the five awards – Best Overall Service and Best Advertising Campaign for IRN-BRU – ‘This Is Not A Soft Drink’.

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 results

Rising Star
Sponsored by KP Snacks
Winner: Jordan McLay, United Wholesale (Scotland)
Runner-Up: Ewan Harvie, Brakes Scotland
Highly Commended: Katy Mullen, Bidfood Scotland

Wholesale Driver of the Year
Sponsored by Volvo Trucks
Joint Winner: Wendy Blain, CJ Lang & Son
Joint Winner: Alec Cartoon, Brakes Scotland
Highly Commended: Andrew Nelson, Booker Ayr

Wholesale Local Food Champion
Sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink and TWC
Winner: Matt Farmer, Brakes Scotland
Runner-Up: Ewan Harvie, Brakes Scotland
Highly Commended: Katy Mullen, Bidfood Scotland

Supplier Sales Executive of the Year
Sponsored by Unitas Wholesale
Winner: Isabelle Stedman, Budweiser Brewing Group
Runner-Up: Kirsten Blockley, Mackie’s of Scotland
Highly Commended: Mark Carlton, AG Barr

Employee of the Year
Sponsored by Pernod Ricard UK
Winner: Jason Butler, United Wholesale (Scotland)
Runner-Up: Joanne Horne, Bidfood Edinburgh
Highly Commended: Matthew Wardropper, JB Foods

Best Delivered Operation – Retail
Sponsored by Red Bull
Winner: CJ Lang & Son
Runner-Up: United Wholesale (Scotland)
Highly Commended: The Cress Co

Best Delivered Operation – Foodservice
Sponsored by Premier Foods
Winner: Fáilte Foods
Runner-Up: Bidfood Edinburgh
Highly Commended: Bidfood Glasgow

Best Foodservice Supplier
Sponsored by SWA
Winner: Rowan Glen
Runner-Up: AG Barr
Highly Commended: Jess Fine Foods

Best Symbol Group
Sponsored by Philip Morris
Winner: Premier, Booker
Runner-Up: SPAR Scotland, CJ Lang & Son
Highly Commended: Day-Today, United Wholesale (Scotland)

Best Innovation
Sponsored by AG Barr
Winner: United Wholesale (Scotland)
Runner-Up: Sutherland Brothers
Highly Commended: CJ Lang & Son

Best Licensed Wholesaler – On-Trade
Sponsored by Sazerac UK
Winner: Inverarity Morton
Runner-Up: Dunns Food & Drinks
Highly Commended: Sutherland Brothers

Best Licensed Wholesaler – Off-Trade
Sponsored by Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I
Winner: United Wholesale (Scotland)
Runner-Up: Booker

Great Place to Work
Sponsored by Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I
Winner: Brakes Scotland
Runner-Up: Bidfood Edinburgh
Joint Highly Commended: Booker Aberdeen
Joint Highly Commended: Booker Dunfermline

Project Wholesale
Sponsored by Orderlion
Winner: Tayto – Golden Wonder
Runner-Up: Pernod Ricard – Jameson Whiskey
Highly Commended: Wholesale Brand Management and VCT – Diablo

Best Advertising Campaign
Sponsored by Tapestry
Winner: IRN-BRU – ‘This Is Not A Soft Drink’

Best Marketing Initiative
Sponsored by JTI
Winner: United Wholesale (Scotland)
Runner-Up: Inverarity Morton
Highly Commended: Brakes Scotland

Sustainable Wholesaler of the Year
Sponsored by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Winner: Booker
Runner-Up: Brakes Scotland
Highly Commended: United Wholesale (Scotland)

Best Overall Service
Sponsored by SWA
Winner: AG Barr
Runner-Up: JTI
Highly Commended: Imperial Tobacco

Best Cash & Carry
Sponsored by Carlsberg Britvic
Winner: United Wholesale (Scotland), Queenslie
Runner-Up: Booker Glasgow
Highly Commended: Booker Dunfermline