PERTHSHIRE-based shed manufacturer, Gillies & Mackay, has been named ‘Best Business Leader in Manufacturing’ at the 2023 UK Business Awards.
For over 30 years, the firm has been handcrafting high-end timber buildings. The family business was founded in 1989 by Grant Gillies and John Mackay, combining their real-world lumbering experience and academic knowledge of horticulture respectively.
In May 2022, Gillies and Mackay officially became a second generation family business when Cara Mackay, daughter of John and niece of Grant, became part owner and CEO. Cara, who has worked at the company in various roles from woodcutting to delivering since she was a teenager, found her calling in the office when she was only 18, steering her towards embracing a leadership role within the business.
Since 2017, Cara has grown the business exponentially with a workforce of 22 and a turnover of £2 million. Under her leadership as chief executive, Gillies & Mackay has become a Living Wage Employer, a Scottish Business Pledge member and a proud voice of women in construction.
Cara has focused on making the business an inclusive, safe workplace and providing opportunities for growth in health, leadership and communication. This includes supporting those in the team with families, ensuring flexible working hours, carers leave and full maternity/paternity packages. Cara also introduced the Gillies & Mackay Mental Health Benefit in 2020, which provides fully-funded access to a professional therapist for any employee that needs it. Physical wellbeing is also provided for the team through fully-funded access to a chiropractor.
Gillies & Mackay is committed to developing the future workforce by providing youth employment opportunities, with a variety of apprenticeships and learning opportunities available.
The company innovates traditional garden building construction to its own methods which include three-tier wall specification garages, as well as introducing a hybrid garden room range made with Radiata Thermowood and aluminium double glazing from suppliers EC Aluminium, in Fife.
Looking to the future, Cara and her team plan to continue to drive innovation forwards in the timber building industry, with plans to invest in research and development to create timber buildings that eradicate industry ‘frustrations’ including the unpredictable Scottish weather.
Speaking about winning the Business Leader Award, Cara said, “Leadership is often a lonely, hard road. Having the ability and confidence to act in the best interest of the business as well as the overwhelming need to put your staff first is a balance that I am still very much learning.
“My mission has always been to create a legacy company, fit for generations to come but also to inspire other businesses in the manufacturing industry. You can create growth and success in your business through innovation whilst also improving your employee experience. Winning this award proves that it can be done.”
