IoD Scotland recognised Scotland’s top directors at its annual Director of the Year Awards, which were held virtually for the first time last night. 

A total of 19 outstanding leaders collected awards in a ceremony that acknowledged the best in business across 12 key director categories, as well as seven regional and two special awards.

Jim Galbraith won the IoD Scotland Director of the Year award for Large Businesses while Sarah Deas won the Wheatley Group Director of the Year for Non-Executives.

The full list of winners is as follows:

• Mashhall Dallas, EICC - IoD Scotland Director of the Year - Small- Medium Business
• Colin Wade, Chemco International Ltd - IoD Scotland Director of the Year - International
• Ed Monaghan, Mactaggart & Mickel - Turcan Connell Director of the Year - Family Business
• Iain MacRitchie, MCR Pathways - SCVO Director of the Year - Third Sector
• Simon Milne, MBE, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - - IoD Scotland Director of the Year - Public Sector
• Rebecca Bell, Spectrum Service Solutions Ltd, Insights Learning and Development Director of the Year - Young
• Lynne Cadenhead, Women’s Enterprise Scotland - IoD Scotland Director of the Year - Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Martin Murray, Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd - Scottish Government Director of the Year - Innovation
• Dr Dave Hughes, Novosound - IoD Scotland Director of the Year - Start-up
• Martin McCrimmon, CMS Window Systems - Zero Waste Scotland Director of the Year - Social Value & Sustainability Impact

Commenting on two of the important awards of the night, the judging panel, which was chaired by Raymond O’Hare, said: “Jim Galbraith leads a very strong business with a track record of sustainable and profitable growth. The business has been revitalised through robust leadership and governance – a culture set at the top. Jim is a leader with impressive focus, purpose and ambition and is ensuring that he is building the right skill set to grow and enhance a well-known brand in a responsible and profitable way. The business looks well-placed to take on future challenges in a changing market.

“The judges were impressed with Marshall’s commitment to staff and team development and on the acquisition of knowledge and its application. Marshall’s contribution to Scotland is recognised by providing a venue and forum for commercial, academic and cultural exchanges. Resolution in overcoming challenges is apparent such as in tackling the shortage of hotel rooms in Edinburgh by planning to build a hotel linked to the EICC.”

The awards highlight the diversity of the business landscape in Scotland, with categories for SMEs to large businesses, charities to the public sector. They also honour those individuals whose creativity, leadership or innovative business practices have led to success for their organisation and the communities they serve.