2019 WINNERS – SCOTTISH AWARDS
The inaugural Scottish Ex-Forces in Business Awards, which took place on 3 December 2019 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, was a landmark event connecting Scotland’s business and military communities and the country’s largest ever celebration of veterans in second careers. Fourteen winners were announced, whittled down from over 250 outstanding nominations. Congratulations to the winners and finalists – all amazing role models to service leavers and excellence examples of veterans as true assets to business.
ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
Winner: Louise MacDonald, Wood
PRESENTED BY
Colonel Sandy Fitzpatrick MBE, Deputy Commander, 51st Infantry Brigade & HQ Scotland (left)

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Winner: Ian Smith, Gray and Adams
SPONSORED BY
Gavin Leckie, Managing Director, Clyde, Babcock (left)


ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Winner: Gavin Neate, Neatebox
SPONSORED BY
Annie May Byrne Noonan, Features Editor, Real Business (centre)


INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Winner: Chris Newlands, Spelfie and Tripsology
SPONSORED BY
Nick McCann, Vice President of Strategic Development, Wood (left)


INSPIRATION OF THE YEAR
Winner: Jamieson Rogers, GlaxoSmithKline
SPONSORED BY
Tim Olton, General Manager Scotland, Hitachi Rail (centre)


LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Winner: David Dent, Parexel International
SPONSORED BY
Brigadier Suzanne Anderson, Deputy Military Secretary, British Army (left)

MILITARY VALUES IN BUSINESS AWARD
Winner: Simon Watkins, University of St Andrews
SPONSORED BY
Drew Gibson, Head of Cyber, Sopra Steria (left)


NEW SERVICE LEAVER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Bryan Flannagan, City of Glasgow College
PRESENTED BY
John Sheehy, Head of Change Delivery, Police Scotland (left)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Graham Allison, Amazon
SPONSORED BY
Norman Yarwood, Head of Ex-Forces Programme Scotland, FDM Group (left)


RESERVIST OF THE YEAR
Winner: Amanda Scott, FDM Group
SPONSORED BY
Scott Mathieson, Regulation & Commercial Director, ScottishPower (left)


RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
Winner: Gillian Dowds, Fujitsu
SPONSORED BY
Craig Jamieson, Chair, Glasgow & West Scotland Committee, Institute of Directors (left)


ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR
Winner: Darren Taylor, Siemens Gamesa
SPONSORED BY
David Black, Regional Fundraising Manager, SSAFA the Armed Forces charity (left)


SERVICE LEAVER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Emma Chesney, Pasquill
SPONSORED BY
Heather McVeigh, CEO, The Officers’ Association Scotland (left)


TEAM LEADER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Jemima Estabrook, FDM Group
SPONSORED BY
Andrew Jackson, Managing Director, SMJ Consulting Services (left)


LATEST ARTICLES
2023 Finalists Revealed: British Ex-Forces in Business Awards
The finalists for the sixth annual British Ex-Forces in Business Awards, the Armed Forces community’s biggest awards ceremony, demonstrate the huge value that veterans offer across all sectors. The shortlist for the sixth annual British Ex-Forces in Business Awards,...
Flagship Awards Return to Scotland to Showcase Veteran Talents
The Scottish Ex-Forces in Business Awards are set to land in Glasgow for the fourth time next month, showcasing the tremendous talents of military veterans in second careers. The Scottish edition of the Ex-Forces in Business Awards, the world’s largest celebration of...
Finalists Revealed for 5th Annual British Ex-Forces in Business Awards
The world’s largest and leading celebration of military veterans in second careers returns for its fifth annual edition, with a shortlist showing the huge breadth of ex-forces talent.