Scotland celebrates entrepreneurial success

Entrepreneurial Scotland, in association with Deloitte this week hosted its annual awards ceremony.

Organisers said the event was a celebration of entrepreneurial success, the role of individual entrepreneurial leaders and their vital contribution to developing a modern and successful Scotland.

The prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to Mike Loggie, chief executive of Saltire Energy.

Julie Wilson and Amy Livingstone of Cheeky Chompers were also announced as the Emerging Entrepreneurs of the Year.

The high profile awards ceremony, attended by more than 300 entrepreneurs at the Glasgow City Hotel on Wednesday night, also recognised Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, for his services to entrepreneurship in Scotland by announcing he was to receive the Chair Award for Outstanding Contribution to an Entrepreneurial Scotland.

One year on from the formation of Entrepreneurial Scotland, Bob Keiller, CEO of Wood Group plc and incoming Chairman of Scottish Enterprise, announced plans to launch ‘Fellows of Entrepreneurial Scotland’ in 2016.

This will recognise individuals who exemplify entrepreneurial leadership and who have made a substantial contribution to Scotland through mentoring and sharing their knowledge with others. Fellows, along with Leaders Exchange and Future Leaders, will complete the third and final tier of Entrepreneurial Scotland’s leader-to-leader support structure and its ambition to make Scotland the most entrepreneurial society in the world. The first cohort of Fellows of Entrepreneurial Scotland will launch in 2016.

Sandy Kennedy, Chief executive of Entrepreneurial Scotland, said: “Entrepreneurial Scotland’s purpose is to inspire, develop and connect a growing and diverse community of people with an entrepreneurial mindset. Mike Loggie, Julie Wilson and Amy Livingstone are great examples of that mindset in action, turning ideas, skills and sheer determination into success stories for Scotland. Showcasing their success and how they achieved it is vitally important if we are to succeed in making Scotland the most entrepreneurial society in the world and, if others follow their example, that will bring the achievement of our vision even closer.”

Mike Loggie, Saltire Energy, winner of Entrepreneur of the Year award, said: “To be recognised here in Scotland by fellow entrepreneurs for what the Saltire Energy team has achieved is immensely satisfying and a great honour.”

Amy Livingstone of Cheeky Chompers, joint winner of Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award, said: “We are delighted to receive this award. It is a huge honour to be recognised by our peers and Entrepreneurial Scotland. This award has been the icing on the cake for us, and yet it is only the beginning for Cheeky Chompers.”

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, said: “To be recognised in this way by Scotland’s premier community of entrepreneurs demonstrates their acknowledgement of the key role that Scotland’s Universities play in the country’s successes in enterprise and innovation. Strathclyde places an entrepreneurial spirit in the heart of our students’ education and our research programmes.

“I’m delighted that many of Entrepreneurial Scotland’s leaders and members play an enthusiastic role with us in moulding and supporting new talent that will have a major impact on Scotland’s economy.”

Chris van der Kuyl, Chairman of Entrepreneurial Scotland, said: “Professor Sir Jim McDonald is someone who has displayed outstanding entrepreneurial leadership in a non-traditional setting and I am delighted that we are able to recognise that.”

Richard Slater, Partner and Head of Private Markets for Deloitte in Scotland, and a member of the judging panel for the 2015 awards, added: “There’s a palpable confidence and energy around Scotland’s entrepreneurial community, and that was on very strong display in the entries from the award candidates.

“When there’s so much talk about economic difficulties, it’s enormously encouraging to see such a healthy crop of Scottish entrepreneurs who are finding new ways of creating success – not just in this country, but across many international markets.”