ANN Johnson, co-founder of Laurencekirk-based Blaze Manufacturing Solutions, has emerged triumphant at last week’s prestigious Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards 2023 after being named Inspiring Leader of the Year.
Johnson launched Blaze Manufacturing Solutions in 2006 as a leading provider of fire safety systems for harsh and challenging environments, providing solutions to the oil and gas, renewable, nuclear, mining and industrial sectors.
In 2017, the company was named as one of the top 1000 UK Companies to Inspire by the London Stock Exchange Group.
Ann Johnson is on the Scottish Council of the CBI, co-chair of the Supply Chain Forum for OEUK, Board Member of YEG and co-president of the Association of Scottish Business Women.
The Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards ceremony took place at Glasgow’s voco Grand Central Hotel, with established and emerging business leaders being celebrated in ten categories.
Yvette Hopkins, Board Member of Women’s Enterprise Scotland, commented: “Huge congratulations to Ann Johnson on picking up the Inspiring Leader of the Year Award. Our judging panel were impressed by her open communication style, her approach to diversifying the business, her visibility in a traditionally male industry and her commitment to supporting and inspiring others.”
She continued: “At WES, we have an ambition for women-owned businesses. Our goal is to create a diverse, innovative and prosperous business ecosystem, fully unlocking women’s economic potential and consigning the gender gap in enterprise to history.”
The Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards was attended by over 250 guests from across Scotland and supported by Business Gateway, Royal Bank of Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, HFL Holistic Financial Leadership, N4 Partners LLP and The University of Glasgow.
