W M Donald scooped the Family Business award - sponsored by RBS - at this year's Northern Stars Business Awards.
W M Donald, established in 1977, is a renowned family-run civil engineering construction company based in Stonehaven, with additional offices in Perth and Inverness.
Specialising in infrastructure works, it serves a diverse range of clients, including national housebuilders, local authorities and the Ministry of Defence. The company’s expertise spans sewer inspections, road surfacing, earthworks and utility repairs, contributing to major housing and commercial developments across the North of Scotland.
Family Business NSBA2025 W M Donald and sponsor RBS
Over the past year, W M Donald has seen impressive growth, projecting a turnover of £80million in 2024. A key factor behind W M Donald’s success is its strong family culture and succession planning. Owners Willie and Elaine Donald remain actively involved in the business, with their daughter Lynsey shadowing the CEO role and their grandson, Liam, working as an apprentice.
With 19% of the workforce comprising family members, the company has cultivated a work environment that values loyalty, growth, and collaboration. This emphasis on family is reflected not just in the leadership structure but across the business, where multiple generations contribute to the day-to-day operations, helping to create a unified and supportive atmosphere.
The company’s focus on development extends to its workforce as well. W M Donald has long invested in its people, with a strong emphasis on training and apprenticeships. Its commitment is evident in its two-year apprenticeship scheme, which has employed 47 apprentices to date, and its proactive approach to leadership development, with ongoing training programs and mentorship opportunities for employees at all levels. This strategy has resulted in low turnover, fostering long-term loyalty and strengthening the company’s position in an ever-changing industry.