Full list of winners at IoD Scotland's Director of the Year Awards 2023 - saying it hopes they offer 'inspiration and a source of pride'

The Institute of Directors (IoD) Scotland has revealed the winners of its Director of the Year Awards 2023 – saying it hopes those honoured “offer inspiration and a source of pride” for the business community north of the Border.

The ceremony hosted by Stephen Jardine last night at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre named winners across 12 national categories and six regional awards.

Those awarded trophies include Carolyn Currie, chief executive of Women's Enterprise Scotland, who was named Director of the Year 2023 for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion for her “commitment and success in encouraging participation from all teams in her organisation and board, demonstrating true leadership skills”.

Michael Golding, CEO at Visit Inverness, won in the Sustainability category, with the judges impressed by his “spectacular achievement” in the face of the headwinds of Brexit and Covid-19, showcasing a path towards sustainable tourism. Jackie Kipps, finance and corporate services director at Insights Learning & Development, was named the Large Business Director of the Year, credited with leading an “outstanding business with great relevance in current turbulent times”.

The winners, alongside Catherine McWilliam, nation director at IoD Scotland (left), and Julie Ashworth, chair at IoD Scotland (second from right). Picture: Mike Wilkinson.

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home boss Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine took the Third Sector prize, and judges said she showed excellent leadership not only within her own organisation but across the third sector in addressing key strategic issues.

This year has also seen Theresa Shearer, who leads equal rights-focused Enable, receive the Director of the Year 2023 Chair’s Award for her “life-long commitment to leadership pushing for human rights-driven public services securing significant policy change in Scotland and internationally”.

Catherine McWilliam, nations director at the IoD Scotland, said: “Over the last few years, the Scottish business landscape has been tumultuous to say the least, and while we hope to see some stability ahead, there will always be challenges to face. An authentic, driven and focused leader is vital in navigating an organisation through difficult times, as well as motivating staff and driving strategic decisions.

“Our Director of the Year Awards are a fantastic way to recognise those who have demonstrated these attributes, and I hope this year’s winners offer inspiration and a source of pride for the business community across Scotland.”

Winners include Carolyn Currie, head of Women's Enterprise Scotland, who has been named Director of the Year 2023 for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. Picture: Malcolm Cochrane Photography.

The full list of award winners:

Agility & Resilience, won by Jim Gillespie, CEO, The Kibble Group; Laura Davidson, CEO, Tag Digital was highly commended

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, won by Carolyn Currie, CEO, Women's Enterprise Scotland

Family Business, won by Rebecca Bell, operations director, Spectrum Service Solutions

Catherine McWilliam of the IoD Scotland, says: 'I hope this year’s winners offer inspiration and a source of pride for the business community across Scotland.' Picture: Mike Wilkinson.

Innovation, won by Duncan Wallace, MD, PlacesWork

International, won by Fiona Logan, CEO, Insights Learning & Development

Large Business, won by Jackie Kipps, finance and corporate services director, Insights Learning & Development

Non-Executive, won by Bob Keiller, non-exec chair, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce; Tracey Rob Perera, non-exec council member chair of the equality, diversity and inclusion board at ICAS, was highly commended

Public Sector, won by Stuart Black, CEO, Highlands and Islands Enterprise

SME, won by Lucy Harrier, MD, Prepress Projects

Sustainability, won by Michael Golding, CEO, Visit Inverness; Richard and Ed Nimmons, directors of Carbon Capture Scotland were highly commended

Third Sector, won by Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

Young, won byNeale Bisset, co-chairman, PMC Property Management & Lettings; Romy Berits, founder of Canteen Lunches, was highly commended

Chair’s Award, won by Theresa Shearer, CEO at Enable

Regional winners:

Aberdeen & Grampian – Bob Keiller

Central Scotland – Josie Saunders, CEO of Ceteris Scotland

Edinburgh & Lothians – Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine

Fife & Tayside – Kirsteen Campbell, CEO, Scottish SPCA

Glasgow & West of Scotland – Jim Gillespie

Highlands & Islands – Stuart Black