Nethy Bridge businessman just misses out on prestigious accolades
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A Nethy Bridge based businessman has just missed out in a prestigious nationwide awards contest but said 2021 has still been a year to remember for the right reasons.
Kevin Shaw, boss of Heatherlea Ltd, had been shortlisted by the Institute of Directors (IoD) as a finalist for ‘Director of the Year – Innovation’ and for ‘Regional Director of the Year, Highlands and Islands’.
But he was just pipped at the post in both categories after a year in which he and his time reinvented the well-known wildlife watching business.
Mr Shaw told the Strathy: “I was honoured and delighted to be chosen as a finalist in two categories for ‘Scottish Director of the Year 2021’.
“These awards are among the most prestigious of their kind, and it was a pleasure to attend the virtual ceremony together with so many enterprising and capable people.
“Heatherlea has made great strides in the past year, and although it seems hospitality and tourism will remain under pressure for the foreseeable future, we are up to the challenge and determined to succeed.
“I’d like to thank all staff in the three threads of our business – hotel, office and guiding – for delivering top quality service throughout 2021 as we returned to trading, and look forward to the new year with enthusiasm and confidence’.
The winners from the 47 nominated business leaders were revealed at an online ceremony last Thursday (December 9).
The Highlands regional director of the year award went to Alan James, managing director of Forres based AJ Engineering & Construction Services.
Judges commended him for leading strong growth in an ambitious engineering firm over the past 20 years, and demonstrating strong leadership to continued business development during challenging times.
The IoD’s Scotland Director of the Year (Innovation) award was won by Viana Maya, of Edinburgh-based pRESPECT / pRESPECT HUB CIC.
• The full list of prizewinners can be found here
