WeDO Scotland announces 2017 Entrepreneur Award winners

The 2017 WeDO Scotland Awards this year took place on Friday the 24th of November at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh. Our guest speaker was Malcolm Mackay of United Employment Lawyers who won our 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award – sponsored by the Edinburgh Watch Company.

The Judging Panel from our Executive Team was this year chaired by Stuart Hunter, who was joined by fellow Ambassadors, Mike Christopherson, Pete Higgins, Dougie Walker & newly appointed Ambassador in our Edinburgh Executive team, Val Wishart of Beyond the Numbers.

“At the beginning of 2017, the Executive Team set out with the aim of identifying the highest calibre of Scottish entrepreneurs and this was certainly achieved. The panel thoroughly enjoyed the judging process and meeting the finalists at their interviews. It’s always interesting to meet people face-to-face, having read their nomination forms and watched their videos. We were extremely impressed by the fantastic talent, innovation and tenacity shown by all of the winners and were delighted to have a very diverse range of industry sectors too. We congratulate all of the winners on their fantastic achievements to date and look forward to seeing where your future journeys take you.” Stuart Hunter – Awards Judging Panel Chair

The Judging Panel – from left: Pete Higgins, Dougie Walker, Belinda Roberts – WeDO Founder, Val Wishart, Mike Christopherson & Judging Panel Chair, Stuart Hunter

WeDO Scotland ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Claymore Global Solutions

WINNER: Marcus Pickering of Pickering’s Gin

“A wise person told me very early in my career that the way to do well at business was to know your strengths, and for everything else- make sure you surround yourself with those who excel in what you don’t. It’s true- Pickering’s Gin is a team effort and without my business partner Matt Gammell and the fab team at the distillery, none of this would be possible. They turn my wild ideas into reality, and keep pushing us ahead in a very competitive industry.

Standing up and receiving the Entrepreneur of the Year award was one of my biggest achievements and it really makes all the challenges of the past three years worth it. I am incredibly honoured to have been given the award, but I won’t ever forget the people around me who put me up there.”

RUNNER-UP: Gareth Biggarstaff of Be-IT Resourcing

WeDO Scotland INSPIRING LEADER OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Paul Atkinson of Taranata Group & Par Equity

“My sincere thanks to WeDO Scotland, the individuals and the teams I have worked with along the way. I’ve been very fortunate on both sides of my business, with Par Equity and all the inventive businesses we are involved with; and more recently with the creation of Taranata Group, which we are working to build into an international recruitment supergroup. Above all, working in Scotland, with its tradition of innovation, curiosity, grit and pioneering spirit, continues to be an inspiration and a privilege.”

WeDO Scotland HIGH GROWTH COMPANY OF THE YEAR – sponsored by Everycare Edinburgh

WINNER: Barry Park of OEM Group

“We are so proud to win such a prestigious Award. It’s great to see the whole team within OEM, along with our support network, getting recognition for the great work they have done. The team over the past 5 years have worked so hard toward the growth of the company across the globe and I am honoured to be associated with them all.”

RUNNER-UP: Danny McIntyre of Primestaff

WeDO Scotland YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR – sponsored by OEM Group

WINNER: Eddie Robb of Make It Social

“I’m delighted to finally win this Award at the third attempt! WeDO is a huge reason as to why I had the confidence to have a go at running my own business and I’ll always be grateful for that. This show what can happen if you just get your head down and work hard. The recognition eventually comes. The first of many I hope …”

RUNNER-UP: Bruce Walker of We Are The Future

WeDO Scotland NEW START BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by Elev8 by Mazars

WINNER: Gary Burns of Cargoseat

“We are very proud to be recognised by our peers and win the 2017 WeDO Scotland New Start Business of the YearAward. It has been a tough journey to bring CarGoseat to market and it could not all have been achieved without collaboration and assistance. We look forward to being part of the WeDO fraternity and hope to leverage any assistance from people who have been on this journey and indeed help others following in our footsteps.”