Highland entrepreneur Roy MacGregor was named one of Scotland’s top businessmen at the Institute of Directors’ annual awards last night.
Mr MacGregor, chairman of Inverness-based Global Energy Group, received IoD Scotland’s director of the year award for businesses with more than £30million turnover at a ceremony in Glasgow.
Mr MacGregor, who founded the firm in 2005, was recognised for creating a company which now has annual turnover of more than £360million and employs 4,000-plus staff worldwide.
He was one of seven north and north-east bosses among last night’s winners.
IoD Scotland executive director David Watt described Mr MacGregor’s leadership at Global as “extremely impressive”, adding: “A series of acquisitions have been key to its success, including the Nigg yard, which has benefited not only the company but the Highlands’ economy by bringing oil-rig repair work back to the Cromarty Firth.”
Global took on the Nigg site in 2011 in a deal believed to be worth more than £10million.
Highlands and islands’ regional director title went to Caroline Campbell, of the Ironworks in Inverness, for her work to turn around the venue’s fortunes.
Dennis Overton, managing director at Alness fish company Aquascot, was named director for workplace health, safety and wellbeing; Paul Easto, chief executive of adventure-tourism firm Wilderness Scotland, took the director award for sustainability leadership; while Becky Small, managing director of Fortrose Academy’s Innovation company, scooped the Young Enterprise Scotland title.
In the north-east, the regional director prize went to Leo Koot, oil operator Taqa Bratani’s outgoing managing director and Lester Cameron, former IoD branch secretary for Aberdeen and Grampian, received the chairman’s award.
Mr Watt said: “Despite the economy continuing to throw up challenges to businesses, this year’s nominations reflected the superb achievements of Scotland’s directors and leaders and demonstrated real evidence of growth, profitability, outstanding business practices and real leadership; qualities the IoD applauds.”