Cream of Grampian Business Leaders in Running for IoD Directors Awards

Published:   15th Feb 2006, 14:52

The Institute of Directors (IoD) Scotland have announced that 15 of the Grampian region's most successful and influential company directors have been short listed to compete for a prize at this year's Director of the Year Awards.

Grampian is well represented in this year's shortlist of nominees, which will see a total of 57 directors from across Scotland compete in 12 categories. Finalists now face a nail-biting wait until the gala final awards ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, February 16, 2006, at the Radisson SAS, Glasgow.

The top title up for grabs is the prestigious IoD Scotland Director of the Year Award, which was won last year by Robert Wiseman, Managing Director of dairy giants Robert Wiseman Dairies PLC. Other categories will include awards for the top female, non-executive, public sector, voluntary sector and young directors, as well as six awards covering the regions, which includes Grampian.

The finalists from Grampian are:

• Jim Atack, MD of Petrofac Facilities Management - Aberdeen
• James Barrack, MD of Chess Group Plc – Aberdeen
• Douglas Craig, Group MD of The Craig Group - Aberdeen
• Jennifer Craw, CE of Scottish Enterprise Grampian - Aberdeen
• Thomas Cross, CEO of Dana Petroleum Plc &- Aberdeen
• Alistair Findlater, MD of tycom - Aberdeen
• James Geddie, MD of Apex Tubulars Ltd - Aberdeen
• Martin Gilbert, CE of Aberdeen Asset Management - Aberdeen
• Jeremy Henderson, Non-Exec Director of 3i Group plc/ Lime Lock Partners LLP - Alford
• Alasdair Locke, Exec Chairman of Abbot Group Plc - Aberdeen
• Moray Melhuish, Commercial Director of Score Marine Ltd - Peterhead
• Ken Milroy, CE of Aberdeen Foyer - Aberdeen
• Angela Reid, Resource Director of CHC Scotia Limited - Aberdeen
• Professor Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice Chancellor of University of Aberdeen - Aberdeen
• Tom Smith, Chairman and MD of Nessco Limited - Aberdeen

The event will be hosted by Forth FM's morning show presenter Grant Stott. Finalists and guests will also hear from guest speaker Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, David Cairns MP. After dinner speaker Karen Darke will round off proceedings, once the awards have been presented, with an inspirational talk based on her business and life experiences.

The awards were conceived in 2004 by IoD Scotland to recognise and celebrate excellence at director level within the private, public and voluntary sectors, across the Scottish regions. This year's awards have attracted twice as many nominations as last year's inaugural event, demonstrating a surge in interest from Scottish firms. Once again led by IoD Scotland, this year’s awards are also backed by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Microsoft, Napier University Business School and the Radisson SAS.

IoD Scotland Executive Director David Watt commented: "This year's awards ceremony looks set to be even bigger than last year, with a substantial increase in nominees. This demonstrates increased recognition for the number of hardworking, ambitious individuals who are making a valuable contribution to our nation's economy.

It's great to see so many talented individuals from the Grampian region on the shortlist for this year's awards. I wish each of these finalists the best of luck and look forward to seeing who comes up trumps on the night.".