This year’s Living Wage Scotland Awards took place on Thursday 13 November at Tynecastle Park, home to the only accredited Living Wage football club in Scotland. Everyone who was there deserves recognition for the incredible work they do championing the real Living Wage, supporting their staff and communities, and staying committed to building a fairer Scotland for all.
The event was hosted once again by the wonderful comedian Susan Morrison. Our special guest speaker was the amazing John Loughton, Chief Executive of leadership training company Dare2Lead, Founder of education charity Scran Academy and one of the UK’s most sought-after motivational speakers and facilitators. John is a passionate and inspiring speaker who kept the audience enthralled!
We were also joined by Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Government Minister for Transport who was delighted to announce the winner of the Living Hours Awards, and we heard about the challenges and successes of the Living Wage campaign journey in Scotland from Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager.
This year our Award categories were sponsored by a wonderfully generous group of accredited Living Wage employers. We are also grateful to EVH for their sponsorship of welcome drinks, Nacor Healthcare for their sponsorship of the beautiful centrepieces, and Rossie Young People’s Trust for their sponsorship of our coveted trophies!
We would like to say a huge thank you to the fantastic staff at Hearts FC, FoSho Studios for video content, The Grassmarket Community Project for our unique trophies. Guests enjoyed goodies from COCO, Dear Green Coffee, LUSH, Molton Brown, Tantrum Doughnuts, The Glenmorangie Co, The Portobello Bookshop, The Scottish Bee Company and Weleda who all added a little extra sparkle to the evening!
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all the employers and employees who continue to champion the real Living Wage. Your commitment plays a vital role in tackling in-work poverty and helping Scotland become a fairer nation – one where everyone has the opportunity to lead a happy, healthy life.
Newcomer of the Year Award – Land Energy Girvan
Land Energy Girvan impressed the judges for actively promoting their Living Wage accreditation, engaging employees in the process, and demonstrating clear benefits from paying the real Living Wage. Their application featured powerful employee testimonials, including one highlighting improved financial stability and achieving the goal of buying a home. The judging panel also praised their employee recognition scheme and commitment to economic resilience and job stability in South Ayrshire.
This Award was proudly sponsored by Fat Buddha
Trailblazer Award – Quarriers
Quarriers have been strong advocates for the real Living Wage: speaking out in the media, engaging with politicians, and playing an active role in the Glasgow City Region Living Wage Action Group. As the first large social care provider in Scotland to gain accreditation in 2018, they’ve continued to champion the movement, recognising the dedication of their colleagues and committing to support them in delivering the best outcomes.
This Awards was proudly sponsored by Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal
Employee Choice Award – Passion4Social
Passion4Social put people before profit, creating a community of diverse talents and experiences that drive their social mission. Employees say earning the real Living Wage has given them greater independence and freedom of choice. Beyond pay, their flexible, remote working model supports individual needs—especially for those with disabilities, health conditions, caring responsibilities, or financial pressures.
This Award was proudly sponsored by The Richmond Fellowship Scotland
Living Hours Award – Rowan Glen
Rowan Glen’s journey is one of resilience and renewal. After closing under previous ownership, they rebuilt with a clear vision and strong values, prioritising fair work practices from the start—despite industry challenges around pay and job security. Today, they take pride in their reputation as a supportive and inclusive workplace.
This Award was proudly sponsored by POS Group
Living Pension Award – The Lines Between
The Lines Between has made bold, values-driven choices to prioritise staff wellbeing, even when resources were tight. As one of the few organisations in Scotland with triple accreditation – Living Wage, Living Hours, and Living Pension – they demonstrate a holistic commitment to fair work, covering pay, job security, working hours, and future financial resilience.
This Award was proudly sponsored by APSE
Local Champion Award
This year there were 2 Awards presented to Local Champions!
CFINE
CFINE were recognised for championing fair work practices, delivering positive impacts for employees, and advocating for sector-wide change. They create an environment where people feel respected, valued, and empowered, with fair pay and secure hours rooted in their mission to support disadvantaged communities. Through these efforts, CFINE strengthens both its workforce and society, promoting fairness and resilience.
Kanzen For Life
Kanzen for Life stood out for exceptional community engagement and creative promotion of the Living Wage message. Judges praised the youth-led efforts of Oliver, who championed the cause through TikTok, Instagram, and a blog post. Kanzen’s approach is rooted in long-term relationships, with staff drawn from the communities they serve, reflecting their ethos: “Community engagement is about listening, staying present, and contributing to long-term change. The Living Wage helps make that possible.”
These awards were proudly sponsored by Glasgow City Region Action Group
Outstanding Leadership Award – South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE)
SOSE’s commitment to the real Living Wage reflects its belief that economic development must be inclusive, sustainable, and fair. By championing fair pay and secure hours across the South of Scotland, SOSE aims to lead by example—showing that fair work is not a cost but an investment in people, wellbeing, and long-term success.
This Award was proudly sponsored by Morton Fraser MacRoberts
Once again, thank you so much everyone. We really couldn’t do this without you. See you all next year!