The chief executive of Scotland’s busiest airport was last night named Scottish Director of the Year.
Edinburgh Airport's Gordon Dewar picked up the top award, for the over £35m turnover category, at the Institute of Directors (IoD) Scotland’s annual awards dinner in Glasgow.
Director of the Year in the up to £35m turnover division was Ronnie Wayte, chief executive of Golden Charter, the UK’s largest independent funeral plan provider.
Under Dewar, Edinburgh Airport has expanded and become the busiest airport in Scotland with more than 10 million passengers in 2014. Wayte has overseen Golden Charter’s steady growth and is recognised as a leader in his industry.
In their citation, the judging panel, which included Ian McKay, chairman of the IoD in Scotland, stated: “Gordon’s motivational leadership, strong focus on customer service, improved infrastructure and the introduction of new routes has enhanced the attractiveness of Edinburgh Airport, making it a valuable asset for Edinburgh, and indeed Scotland.
“Ronnie’s leadership of funeral plan provider Golden Charter has produced an excellent solid performance over a prolonged period. The company has grown organically through diversification, a good team and board expertise.”
The Badenoch & Clark Female Director of the Year went to Jo Macsween, managing director of Macsween the haggis makers. The SCVO Third Sector Director of the Year award went to Frank Sweeney, chief executive of Cunninghame Housing Association, and the mclcreate Public Sector Director of the Year was Christina Potter, principal and chief executive of Dundee and Angus College.
The Scottish category winners will now go forward to the UK Director of the Year Awards ceremony which takes place in London in November.
Other awards announced last night were the IoD Scotland Chairman’s Awards recognising lifetime achievement. Taking home the prizes were technology entrepreneur Martin Ritchie OBE, former chairman of Falkirk FC, and Dame Seona Reid DBE, chairwoman of the National Theatre of Scotland and former director of Glasgow School of Art.
The Princes Trust Scotland Director of the Year Award went to Robin Knox, the young co-founder and director of rapidly–expanding Intelligent Point of Sale.
Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism, Fergus Ewing said: “The Institute of Directors’ Scottish Awards provide a welcome annual opportunity to celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations and acknowledge that it underpins job creation and growth in our economy. It is important that we recognise, learn from, and build on success. These awards help showcase the innovation, diversity and excellence that I see regularly as I visit companies across Scotland.”
David Watt, executive director of the IoD in Scotland said: “This year’s crop of directors are living proof that businesses are leading the way in growing the economy ... they set a fine example for those that aspire to follow in their footsteps – the future generation of Scottish directors.”
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