Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year awarded to Chris Gauld, Chief Executive, Spark Energy
Entrepreneurial Scotland, hosted its 20th annual dinner and awards last night (November 30th). The event was a celebration of entrepreneurial success, recognising the role of entrepreneurs at all stages, and their vital contribution to developing a successful Scotland.
Scotland’s awards featured two elite categories: ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ and ‘Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year’ – each honouring those individuals who have excelled in leading their organisations over the past 12 months.
The Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to James Milne CBE, Chairman and Managing Director of Balmoral Group.
Chris Gauld, Chief Executive of Spark Energy, was announced as the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.
“Awards and achievements matter because they recognise skills, determination, talent, tenacity and hard work. They highlight excellence and, most importantly, they provide an opportunity to focus on the characteristics that we want to see more of for ourselves, our businesses and our communities,” said Sandy Kennedy, Chief Executive of Entrepreneurial Scotland. “I am thrilled to congratulate both Jim and Chris. This year we received a tremendous response to the awards resulting in the highest-ever number of nominations. Each of the finalists was chosen after a rigorous judging process and they have emerged as Scotland’s most successful entrepreneurial leaders.”
The event also raised funds for the Saltire Foundation that strives to find, fuel and spark the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders – represented by several Saltire Alumni who were in the audience.
In 2015, the Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented to Mike Loggie of Saltire Energy. Julie Wilson and Amy Livingstone, co-founders of Cheeky Chompers, were awarded Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.
Richard Slater, Partner and Head of Private Markets for Deloitte in Scotland, and a member of the judging panel for the 2016 awards, congratulated all finalists and winners;
“This year we saw a real mixture of companies from a range of sectors on the shortlist for both awards, this is great news for Scotland, as the economy continues to diversify and breed new success stories. Uncertainty may be the word that currently pervades the Scottish economy – yet there are businesses, and people, who are finding ways to do incredible things, whatever the circumstances. The ambition and drive of Scotland’s entrepreneurial community continues to thrive.”