North and north-east entrepreneurs were among business leaders celebrating last night at the Institute of Directors (IoD) Scotland Director of the Year Awards.
Winners from Grampian and the Highlands included businessmen at the top of oil and gas service firms, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.
Alfie Cheyne, chief executive of Ace Winches, picked up the Aberdeen and Grampian regional director title for his work with the deck-machinery specialist based near Turriff.
James Dunbar, CEO of New Start Highland, in Inverness, which refurbishes unwanted furniture before reselling it while supporting vulnerable people, was named top regional director for the Highlands and islands at the ceremony in Glasgow.
IoD Scotland executive director David Watt said the two businessmen and their fellow winners showed the country had a raft of exceptional director talent.
He added: “Alfie was cited as being a creative decision-maker, full of energy and drive, who solves problems by applying practical commonsense and recognising and seizing opportunities.
“As one of the pre-eminent advocates of social enterprise in Scotland, James has consistently promoted the strategic framework and support services required to deliver transformation in the fortunes of Scotland’s most vulnerable people.”
The top award, director of the year, went to Colin Robertson, CEO at Falkirk-based bus builder Alexander Dennis.
Also among the winners was Sandy Murray, chief executive of Aberdeen-based Tenants First Housing Co-operative, who received the voluntary-sector director award.
The emerging-director title went to Peter Bruce, managing director of offshore catering and service firm Entier.
Norman Murray, non-executive chairman at oil and gas service firm Petrofac, was named global director of the year. Mr Murray, who was also on the board at Robert Wiseman Dairies until last month, also collected the non-executive director award.