A leading light of the north-east community was honoured at the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce Northern Star Business Awards last night.
Martin Gilbert, co-chief executive of Standard Life Aberdeen, was the recipient of tributes from entrepreneurs Sir Ian Wood and Stewart Spence, and presented with a lifetime achievement award.
Mr Gilbert was unable to be there, but accepted his award by videolink from Paris as tributes were also given by US and European Ryder Cup captains Jim Furyk and Thomas Bjorn.
About 600 guests at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre watched as 13 categories awarded standout businesses and individuals across the north-east. WM Donald won business of the year, while the Rising Star Award went to Melanie Gilmour of Hall Morris Corporate Finance.
Chamber chief executive Russell Borthwick said: “We see a big part of our role being leading the celebration of our city region as a great place to live, work, study, invest and do business.
“Companies of all sizes, from all sectors and across the length and breadth of this fantastic region are renowned for their innovation and entrepreneurial spirit and these awards provide a great stage to showcase and celebrate this. If we’re not prepared to talk ourselves up, no-one else is going to do it for us.
“The Chamber congratulates the winners and finalists who have again raised the bar across a whole range of disciplines from exports and marketing to their commitment to staff development and impact on the community.
“We should draw inspiration from everything we saw and heard during these awards and redouble our efforts to create the economic conditions that will ensure the long-term success of the North-east.”