Some of the north and north-east’s leading businessmen and women are vying for top honours in the Scottish Business Awards.
They include Martin Gilbert and Alfie Cheyne, the chief executives of Aberdeen Asset Management (AAM) and Ace Winches respectively, who are among eight contenders for the entrepreneur of the year award.
This region accounts for half of the eight-strong list in with a chance of being named female entrepreneur of the year, with Brenda Bryant at Bryant Group, Elaine Duthie of Elaine Properties, Victoria Erasmus of Glen Mhor Hotel and Faith Simpson of Faith Simpson Accountants up for the honour.
First Oil Expro owner Ian Suttie and Wood Group chief executive Bob Keiller are among eight top bosses, also including Brodies’ managing partner Bill Drummond, battling it out to become Scotland’s chief executive of the year.
Befriend a Child’s Karen Farquhar-Marr and George Bruce at Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre are among eight potential winners of the social entrepreneur of the year award.
All of the winners will be unveiled at a ceremony attended by Virgin Group boss Sir Richard Branson on Monday, May 12, in Edinburgh.
Mr Gilbert said it was an honour to have been nominated for an award, adding: “Thirty-one years ago, I was involved in the creation of what was to become Aberdeen Asset Management. Little did I realise then that in 2014, we would be managing assets of £324billion.”
Mr Suttie said: Having won the entrepreneur of the year award in 2012, I am delighted both to be shortlisted for the 2014 CEO of the year award and in addition First Oil being shortlisted for the 2014 plc of the year.”
A raft of north and north-east organisations have been shortlisted for some of the other awards.
They include AAM, Craig Group, Donald Russell, First Oil, Hunter Adams, John Clark Motor Group, Opito, OPS Group, Plexus Holdings, SengS, SFF Services, Stewart Milne Group, Subsea Technologies, Sureclean, Sutherland Brothers, Wood Group.