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.
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.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
Why? Free to subscribe, no paywall, daily business news digest.
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.”
Full list of Scotland 2017 finalists:
Craig Anderson, CEO of The Scottish Salmon Company (SCC), based in Edinburgh – Scotland’s leading independent producer of Scottish salmon
Patrick Collins, CEO of Aubin Group, based in Ellon, Aberdeenshire – Aubin designs, develops and supplies chemistry-based, enabling technology to the global oil and gas industry
Alan Foy, CEO of Smart Metering Systems (SMS), based in Glasgow – SMS connects, owns, operates and maintains metering systems
Craig Gallagher, CEO of MB Aerospace Group Holdings Ltd, based in Motherwell – MB Aerospace is an international group providing complex engineering solutions to some of the key names in the Aerospace and Defense market
Jamie Graves, CEO of ZoneFox, based in Edinburgh – ZoneFox focuses on providing world-class security systems to combat the growing business issue of insider threats
Martyn Gray, Managing Director of Nairn’s Oatcakes Ltd, based in Edinburgh – Nairn’s is a manufacturer of oatcakes, biscuits, and gluten free products
Edel Harris, CEO of Cornerstone (Community Care), based in Aberdeen – Cornerstone provides health and social care services for people with disabilities and other support needs
Magnus Houston, Managing Director of Coast & Glen Ltd, based in Inverness – Coast & Glen Ltd is a seafood and game wholesaler with an innovative home delivery subscription retail product
David Hunter, CEO of Shot Scope Technologies, based in Edinburgh – Shot Scope is a smart wearable that automatically collects performance data for golf
Leah Hutcheon, CEO and Founder of Appointed, based in Edinburgh – Appointedd provides advanced cloud-based online booking and scheduling for businesses of every size, on any device, in any time zone
Neil Lapping, Chief Adventure Officer of Macs Adventure Ltd, based in Glasgow – Macs Adventure arranges active holidays for independently minded people interested in the world around them
Stuart Lunn, CEO of LendingCrowd, based in Edinburgh – LendingCrowd is the only peer-to-peer lending platform with headquarters in Scotland. The company specialises in in SME financing and has to date lent £10m to 120 companies
Edward Molyneux, CEO and Founder of FreeAgent Central, based in Edinburgh – FreeAgent offers a market-leading online accounting system specifically-designed to meet the needs of contractors, freelancers, micro businesses and the accountants they work with
Craig Nicol, Joint Managing Partner of Thornton’s Law LLP, based in Dundee – Thornton’s is a legal and property services company
Marie Owen, CEO of LS Productions, based in Edinburgh – LS Productions is a full service production company servicing global blue chip clients across Scotland and the wider UK
Kennedy Picken, CEO of Traveltek Group Holdings Ltd, based in East Kilbride – Traveltek delivers world-leading travel technology solutions to travel agents, tour operators and wholesalers worldwide
Andrew Reid, CEO of RHA, based in Glasgow – RHA is an international, portable audio company dedicated to the design and manufacture of innovative, technology-led consumer and high-fidelity products
Calum Smeaton, CEO and Founder of TVSquared, based in Edinburgh – TVSquared measures and optimises TV advertising campaigns
James Varga, CEO and Founder of The ID Co, based in Edinburgh – The ID Co. create a layer of trust in the internet that doesn’t currently exist
Mark Ward, Managing Director of Power 1 Group, based in Paisley – Power 1 Group is a privately owned contractor, operating in the infrastructure, transport and utility sectors
Bruce Wishart, Managing Director of Empteezy Ltd, based in Livingston – Empteezy is a manufacturer of Spill Control Products
