Innovation Comes in Many Forms: Roper Toxicology Consulting Recognised at the Midlothian & East Lothian Business Awards 2026

On Thursday evening, Deborah and I had the pleasure of attending the Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2026 at The Venue, Eskmills, Musselburgh.

Roper Toxicology Consulting Limited was delighted to be recognised as a finalist in the Best Innovation in Business category. As a consultancy specialising in modern, animal-free approaches to safety assessment, we spend most of our time working with pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemical companies around the world. Therefore, it was especially rewarding to see our work recognised alongside a diverse group of innovative local businesses from across Midlothian and East Lothian.

Innovation was certainly on display throughout the evening. Our fellow finalists in the Best Innovation in Business category included Bond and Behave, The Bubbling Toad and Saltire Patisserie Ltd. While each organisation operates in a very different sector, all shared a commitment to finding new ways to solve problems and create value for their customers and communities.

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Congratulations to Saltire Patisserie Ltd, who deservedly won the award. Their innovative Circular Muffin project transforms brewers' spent grain into high-quality bakery products, demonstrating how sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the evening was the opportunity to meet fellow finalists and business leaders from across the region. We shared a table with representatives from The Radhuni, the award-winning family-owned Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant in Loanhead, the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, which combines conservation, education and visitor experiences to showcase Scotland's marine wildlife, and Yarrow Cookery School, a sustainable cookery school in East Lothian that promotes local food, environmental responsibility and low-impact hospitality.

Although our businesses are very different, the conversations around the table quickly revealed common themes. Whether developing alternative approaches to safety assessment, supporting wildlife conservation, providing exceptional hospitality or helping people make more sustainable food choices, each organisation was focused on creating positive impact while continually improving what they do.

We were particularly pleased to see Yarrow Cookery School recognised on the night, winning the Net Zero Champion Award. Their commitment to sustainable cookery education and environmentally responsible hospitality makes them worthy ambassadors for the growing number of businesses placing sustainability at the heart of their operations.

The awards also served as a reminder of the remarkable breadth of talent across Midlothian and East Lothian. From family restaurants and visitor attractions to scientific consultancies, conservation organisations and innovative start-ups, the evening showcased the strength and diversity of the local business community.

While the award ultimately went to Saltire Patisserie Ltd, being recognised as a finalist among such an impressive group of innovative businesses was a significant achievement and an honour for Roper Toxicology Consulting Limited. The nomination recognised our efforts to help organisations replace traditional animal testing approaches with modern human-relevant methods and NAMs, contributing to better science and safer products.

We would like to thank Hargreaves Land for sponsoring the Best Innovation in Business category, the Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce for organising an excellent event, and all the volunteers, sponsors and businesses who helped make the evening such a success.

Congratulations once again to Saltire Patisserie Ltd on winning Best Innovation in Business and to Yarrow Cookery School on securing the Net Zero Champion Award. Deborah and I were proud to represent RTCL and grateful for the opportunity to celebrate innovation, sustainability and business excellence alongside so many inspiring local organisations.