Scottish Financial Services Awards shortlist unveiled

FOUR firms and organisations are in the running to win this year’s Scottish Financial Services Awards.
SFE chief Owen Kelly hailed the diversity of the finalistsSFE chief Owen Kelly hailed the diversity of the finalists
SFE chief Owen Kelly hailed the diversity of the finalists

Run by Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE), sponsored by accountancy firm EY and supported by The Scotsman, the awards recognise nominees for their contributions to Scotland’s standing as a financial centre, their long-term perspectives, the benefits they bring for customers and their innovation and imagination.

The overall winner will be announced at SFE’s annual dinner on 29 October in Edinburgh. Last year, Tesco Bank scooped the top award. Previous recipients have been Standard Life Investments, the business journalist Bill Jamieson and Aberdeen Asset Management.

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The finalists for 2015 are banking software developer Avaloq, national business angel association Linc Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and the Glasgow Economic Leadership, Finance and Business Services Work Stream.

Owen Kelly, chief executive of SFE, said: “This year we have some real diversity among our finalists, but one common thread which stands out is the way they are all working to shape the future of financial services both here and abroad.”

George Reid, head of financial services at EY in Scotland, added: “Scotland’s financial services industry is thriving thanks to the inspired, innovative approach by people and organisations in the sector.”

Avaloq has been selected as a finalist for the expansion of its hi-tech research and development facility in Edinburgh and Linc Scotland for winning a contract with the World Bank to share Scotland’s experience and assist with the development of business angel markets in the Caribbean.

RBS made the shortlist for the creation of a network of start-up business accelerator hubs across the UK, in partnership with Entrepreneurial Spark. The Glasgow Economic Leadership, Finance and Business Services Work Stream has been selected for the launch of the foundation apprenticeship in financial services.