Highland business leaders up for top awards
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AN up and coming city business leader is in the running for a top industry award.
Michael Golding, operations director at city social enterprise Inverness Kart Raceway, is one of four nominees in the young director category of this year’s Institute of Directors (IoD) Scotland Director of the Year awards.
Based at Fairways Business Park the karting outfit, the only indoor karting experience in the Highlands, is run as a social enterprise with all profits going to charity Day1 Mentoring.
The charity works with young people aged 14 to 17, providing them with a year long one-to-one befriending and mentoring service with the aim of helping them discover a positive direction in their lives and move into work.
Other nominees in the IoD awards with local connections include Bob Buskie, chief executive of the Port of Cromarty Firth which this year is expected to welcome more than 100 cruise ships, many of whose passengers will spend time in Inverness.
He is nominated for both the Highlands and Islands director of the year title, and the small to medium business category prize.
Also in contention is Simon Wrench, finance director for the Parklands Care Home Group, which operates eight care homes in the Highlands and Moray, with two more planned for Inverness and the Black Isle.
He is also in the running for the Highlands and Islands title.
David Watt, executive director of IoD in Scotland, said: “The nominees are not just business people; they are the leaders who will drive our economy and people through times of unease. Being an accomplished director moves beyond focussing on the financials and must consider the wider aspects that will impact the success of the business – from sustainability to supporting employee wellness.”
The winners will be announced in Glasgow on May 23.
