As anticipation mounts in advance of the Press and Journal’s prestigious Gold Awards, the host of the event has urged Aberdeen to celebrate its successes loud and proud.
Financial journalist and presenter, Steph McGovern, said she was “chuffed” to be involved in this year’s ceremony at the Marcliffe Hotel on September 8.
She maintained the strength of the entrants testified to the resilience of the north-east’s oil and gas sector, even at a time when it faced severe economic challenges.
The Press and Journal has pulled out all the stops to build on the roaring success of last year’s inaugural Gold Awards.
In an amazing scoop, the glittering occasion will feature a keynote speech from Iron Maiden’s global rock star and entrepreneur Bruce Dickinson.
Host Ms McGovern is an established part of the BBC Breakfast team.
She gained her first taste of BBC life, aged just 19, when she made a guest appearance on a programme about women in science.
She had just won the title of Young Engineer for Britain, after saving Black and Decker more than £1million on a design she created for their Leaf Hog product.
During the financial crash, she was the producer of financial news, working with the BBC’s then-business editor, Robert Peston, at the forefront of the corporation’s award-winning coverage of the banking crisis.
Ms McGovern, who is also a former champion Irish dancer, said: “I was really chuffed the Press and Journal invited me to host the 2016 Gold Awards, which aims to build on the great success of last year’s inaugural event.
“The Gold Awards is a standout occasion in the diaries of oil and gas leaders and shows just how resilient the businesses in the north of Scotland are.
“Despite the difficulties the sector is facing, the strength of the entries shows there is still much to cheer about in Aberdeen and I am really looking forward to being part of that celebration.
“To do as well as these firms have done while the oil industry is facing a downturn is particularly impressive.
“And, on top of all of the great work the industry has to celebrate, the Press and Journal has arranged some cracking entertainment, so I’m sure the Gold Awards will be a night to remember.”
Eight prizes will be presented next week. The categories are: large company of the year; small company of the year; best employer; innovation award; emerging industry leader; new energy award; and entrepreneurial awards. A further Hall of Fame accolade will be decided by the event’s illustrious panel of judges.
The judges are Alan Dick, vice-president of industry and technology at Simmons & Co; Kevin Milne, group treasurer of Aberdeen Asset Management; Prof Rita Marcella, dean of faculty of RGU’s Aberdeen Business School; industry veteran Malcolm Webb; Energy Voice editor Rita Brown; and Jeremy Cresswell, the Press and Journal’s energy editor.
The award ceremony and dinner, held in association with Aberdeen Asset Management, will take place on Thursday, September 8, at The Marcliffe Hotel.
To book a table or individual places for the evening, which will start with a drinks reception at 7pm, contact Victoria Tait on 01382 575631 or Victoria.tait@ajl.co.uk
Visit www.pandjgoldawards.com for more information.