The contribution by the oil and gas industry to Scotland’s economy was recognised at an awards event in Edinburgh last night.
The Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) annual dinner and international awards were attended by 600 senior business figures from across the country.
Oil major BP won the most prestigious accolade – the SCDI President’s Award – in recognition both of the company’s centenary year and the fact it is 40 years since it established a presence in Aberdeen.
Also among the winners was Granite City-based energy service firm PSN, which landed the HSBC award for outstanding business achievement.
In her opening address, SCDI chief executive Lesley Sawers urged the business community to be braver in its global ambitions.
She said: “Never has there been a greater need or opportunity for Scottish businesses to internationalise,” she said, adding: “We need to re-ignite Scotland’s spirit of inquiry, innovation, energy to help us succeed in an economically changed and challenged world.”
SCDI chairwoman Shonaig Macpherson said BP’s honour was well deserved for the company’s long-standing investment and contribution to Scotland’s economy as a producer, investor and responsible employer.
She added: “Since the discovery of the West Sole gas field in 1965, BP has invested more than £30billion of capital into the UK North Sea and contributed £70billion to UK Government revenue.”
Ms Macpherson also paid tribute to BP’s social-investment programmes north of the border and its focus on enterprise, education and the environment.
BP North Sea managing director Bernard Looney said: “We have actually been investing in Scotland for over 80 years, so this is very much our home base. It is a great honour for BP to be recognised in this way but I would really like to thank all of the individuals, organisations and communities in Scotland whose support has been the real foundation of our success over many years.”
PSN’s award capped a momentous week for the Dyce-based firm, having earlier unveiled a record £330million contract for engineering and construction support services covering all of BP’s UK offshore assets.
Duncan Skinner, the company’s chief financial officer, said PSN prided itself on continuing to strengthen its business and invest “throughout these extraordinary economic times”.
He added: “This year, we have won over 50 new contracts, sustained a record employee retention rate of 99% and generated double-digit growth in revenue and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.
“We are delighted our growing network has been recognised by our peers at SCDI.”
In another coup for the north-east, a team from Bankhead Academy, in Aberdeen, landed the SCDI Young Engineers and Science Club of the Year title.
Other winners included Edinburgh University, FMC Technologies, Glasgow College of Nautical Studies, Halcrow Group, Lothian Buses, the Scotch Whisky Association and Selex Galileo.
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