EY announces Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Scotland finalists

The leaders of 21 of Scotland’s most dynamic businesses, from East Kilbride to Aberdeen, have been listed as finalists for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Scotland 2017 programme.

Between them, they have a combined workforce of more than 5,900 people and turn over more than £520m.

EY said the shortlist highlights the vibrant diversity of the Scottish entrepreneurial landscape with companies from sectors such as technology, food and drink, oil and gas, automotive and health represented.

The finalists, who are now part of a global network of fast-growth business leaders, will convene at the Scotland awards ceremony at The Gleneagles Hotel in June. Similar events will also be held in London, the north of England, and the Midlands.

In Scotland, and each UK region, an independent panel of judges will select winners in each category, who will progress to the UK final held in London in October, to vie for the title ‘EY UK Entrepreneur Of The Year’. The UK winner, along with other country winners will then attend the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Forum in Summer 2018, which gathers the world’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, game changers and government leaders from more than 60 countries.

Now in its 31st year globally and 19th year in the UK, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year recognises the spirit and contribution of exceptional entrepreneurs, running in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries worldwide.

Annie Graham, EY Entrepreneur of the Year leader in Scotland, said: “Scotland has a hugely diverse and successful entrepreneurial community and it’s fantastic to showcase the achievements of some of the country’s most innovative businesses as part of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year.

“Scotland’s entrepreneurs have undeniable economic clout with our 21 finalists delivering a collective turnover in excess of £520m and providing more than 5,900 jobs. This year’s shortlist also indicates the talent and international capability of Scotland’s tech sector with more than a third of the finalists at the helm of technology companies.

“The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme brings together the most innovative and forward thinking business leaders at events held across the UK every year, where they can share knowledge and ideas, debate the challenges of the day, and form lasting contacts and even working partnerships.”

This year the awards will also honour an entrepreneur, in Scotland and each UK region, who is delivering positive social impact, with a special ‘Building a better working world’ award. A nod to EY’s organisational purpose, the special award acknowledges the role that business plays in driving change and making the world work better.

Despite market uncertainty, entrepreneurs reported a strong performance in the last 12 months and remain optimistic in their outlook, according to EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year Alumni survey released in February.

69 per cent of respondents quoted an increase in profits over the last 12 months, while 38 per cent experienced double-digit growth (greater than 10 per cent). In addition, 88 per cent created new jobs, with over half (54 per cent) taking on more than 20 new recruits in the same time period.

Looking ahead, despite 30 per cent of entrepreneurial business leaders describing their single biggest business challenge as ‘economic uncertainty’, 54 per cent predict a greater than 10 per cent profit growth in the next three years and nearly a third (32 per cent) plan to hire more than 20 people in the next 12 months.

The Scottish judging panel will be chaired by Keith Neilson who co-founded Craneware in 1999, a company recognised as a world leader in healthcare technology. Mr Neilson was also an EY Entrepreneur of the Year UK category winner in 2008.

He will be joined by: Sherry Coutu, Chairman, Founders4Schools; Chris Gauld, CEO, Spark Energy; Mark Kerr Head of Scotland, LDC; Mike Loggie, CEO, Saltire Energy; Andy Lothian, CEO, Insights; Amanda McMillan, OBE, CEO, AGS Airports Ltd; and Dr Deborah O’Neil, CEO, NovaBiotics.

Full list of Scotland 2017 finalists: