The head of north-east energy service company Proserv was named Scotland’s top entrepreneur last night in recognition of “moulding a phenomenal business”.
David Lamont, chief executive of the Westhill firm for two years, picked up the top honour at Ernst and Young’s (E&Y) annual Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. His success adds another name to the ranks of E&Y Scottish entrepreneur award winners from the north and north-east.
Past winners include the current chief executives of Aberdeen Asset Management, Wood Group and Stewart Milne Group, Martin Gilbert, Bob Keiller and Stewart Milne respectively, plus Orion Group chairman Alan Savage.
Bosses from other parts of Scotland who have been similarly honoured include Cairn Energy chairman Sir Bill Gammell and Robert Wiseman, the then managing director of Robert Wiseman Dairies.
Proserv has enjoyed 25% year-on-year growth under Mr Lamont’s stewardship.
The firm now has annual turnover of around £196million and employs 1,700 people worldwide, including more than 350 in the north-east.
E&Y partner Jim Bishop said: “David has moulded a phenomenal business of a truly global nature.
“His outstanding results were achieved by reshaping and strengthening his team and overseeing important and impressive developments, while maintaining the highest ethical standards.”
Bosses at three other north and north-east businesses were also recognised during last night’s ceremony at Gleneagles Hotel, in Perthshire.
Regional winners included Kevin Stewart of Aberdeen-based Meta Downhole and James Dunbar of Inverness-based New Start Highland.
In the social-enterprise category, Carl Hodson and Duncan Skinner, general manager and chairman respectively at Aberdeen organisation Glencraft, came away as winners.