Local leaders from across Aberdeen have joined forces to support the city’s third sector as the judging panel for the inaugural Celebrate Aberdeen Awards is announced.
The awards event, which will take place at the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre on Saturday, September 8, aims to shine the spotlight on the city’s charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups, and the individuals who work for and support them.
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The judging line-up comprises a mix of representatives from the city’s business community, local authority and media.
The 14 judges are:
- Adrian Watson, chief executive, Aberdeen Inspired
- Alistair Mackenzie, chairman, Aberdeen Harbour Board
- Carol Benzie, managing director, Aberdeen International Airport
- Colette Cohen, chief executive, Oil & Gas Technology Centre
- Deirdre Michie, chief executive, Oil & Gas UK
- Donald John MacDonald, news editor, STV
- Gill Summers, partner, Brodies
- Cllr Jenny Laing, co-leader, Aberdeen City Council
- Margaret Vieira, former justice of the peace and burgess of the city
- Rita Brown, editor, Energy Voice – Press & Journal
- Ritchie Whyte, partner, Aberdein Considine
- Stephen Hepburn, head of customer banking, Clydesdale Bank
- Greg Herrera, senior partner, EV Private Equity
- Chris Foy, chief executive of VisitAberdeenshire
They will be joined by representatives of the business community from those organisations sponsoring award categories. Businesses which have already signed up as sponsors include: Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd, CNR International, CALA Homes, GSS Developments and Aberdeen Harbour Board.
The awards include categories such as: Large Charity of the Year; Small Charity Of The Year; Social Enterprise of The Year, Volunteer of the Year and Fundraiser of the Year.
Celebrate Aberdeen founder, Morven Mackenzie, said: “We have such a fantastic line-up of judges for the inaugural Celebrate Aberdeen Awards, which is testament to the high regard in which our city’s third sector is held.
“There are so many wonderful charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises in our Aberdeen and it’s vitally important that we continue to recognise their efforts and thank them publicly for everything that they do.
“We began our Celebrate Aberdeen journey back in 2011 when we organized the first third sector parade. It has since become an annual event and has grown in size year on year.
“The awards provide another opportunity to showcase the incredible efforts undertaken by our third sector, building on the great work undertaken by our own small team of volunteers.”
The event is expected to play host to more than 400 guests from across Aberdeen’s third sector and local business community.
For more information about the awards or the Celebrate Aberdeen weekend in August, please visit www.celebrateaberdeen.org
