Issued: 29 November 2004
Is It You - Revealed
The 2004 Angus Ambassador of the Year is John Burt, Principal and Chief Executive of Angus College.
He received this ultimate accolade at the star studded Angus Ambassador Awards on Friday 26 November presided over by guest presenter Shereen Nanjiani, of STV's flagship news and current affairs programme.
Over 220 stars of the Angus' business, arts and tourism sectors joined the county's artists, community representatives and aspiring youth talent at the Carnoustie Golf Course Hotel to recognise those whose talents and accomplishments make them excellent ambassadors for the county.
These prestigious awards are now in their sixth year and are presented by the Angus Ahead Campaign set up to ensure that the county is placed firmly at the forefront of Scottish business, Scottish golf, Scottish heritage and Scottish tourism.
Each year the awards turn the spotlight on a particular aspect of business, our cultural and community life, tourism and our young people - highlighting the breadth and quality of Angus work, heritage and leisure.
“We have great ambitions - for Angus. Our Ambassadors are helping us achieve them and embrace new challenges for the county. Together we can build a more confident county - recognising ability and rewarding achievement.
Let's be ambitious, let's be innovative - let's inspire others! If we take pride in our accomplishments and have confidence in our county then others will follow. That's good for our businesses; its good for our communities and it will help build a more vibrant and prosperous future for Angus. ” said Provost of Angus Bill Middleton, Chair of the Angus Ahead Champions.
John Burt has led his organisation to national industry recognition, presided over a 41% increase in income to £9.1 million, developed 31 new product ranges and saw an £8.5million investment and improvement programme bring national attention to Angus.
For any business that definitely means success. For this organisation it also meant a Royal Visit and unprecedented TV and news coverage for Angus earlier this year when HM The Queen officially opened the College's Community and Access Learning Centre
However John's contribution to Angus is also a personal one for as an Angus Ahead Champion, he was one of the first business leaders to sign up to the Campaign to raise the profile of the county locally, nationally and internationally. And he takes every opportunity to fly the flag for Angus whether through his work nationally or through the college links with the USA and China.
His vision, drive and leadership has rightly given the college the accolade of Best in Scotland for financial health - no mean feat in these times of increasing pressure on the education sector.
And that reputation as one of the most respected college principals in the country brought John to the attention of the Scottish Executive when he was asked to head up a team of trouble-shooters to help further education colleges in financial difficulties.
The winners in all seven categories received the highly coveted Angus Ambassadors Award, with the Community and Youth categories also carrying cash awards.
The 2004 winners are:
- Ambassador of the Year 2003 sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland
Winner - John Burt, Principal and Chief Executive of Angus College
- Business Ambassador - Innovation & Enterprise Award sponsored by Blackadders
Winner - Castleton House Hotel, by Glamis
This company has focussed on a distinct strength of Angus - its high quality local produce - to become the first hotel in the county to win the much-coveted three AA rosettes.
Fewer that 10% of restaurants in the British Isles are awarded rosettes of three or more - those that do are recognised as the best in the industry.
Castleton House Hotel brought that first to Angus and has also been selected by the AA as one of the top 200 hotels in the whole of Britain - out of 4000 properties visited.
They were short listed in a national restaurant of the year event in 2003, and in September were named as Scottish hotel of the month on a major tourism website.
Co-owners David Webster and Verity Nicholson took over this small country house hotel four years ago and salvaged it from collapse with the dream of creating an idyllic country house retreat with a gourmet restaurant.
This industry recognition and reward proves their dream has become reality.
They attribute their ongoing success to their 16 local staff and head chef Andrew Wilkie, who reckons that its the best, freshest high quality ingredients from our very own Angus suppliers or the produce from the hotel's own gardens, that allows him to create his award winning dishes.Highly Commended were:
Presentation Products Ltd, Arbroath
Expanded into new premises and acquired controlling interest in a Far East company as part of a massive £2million investment programme.
The Rural Development Company, Tannadice
Recognised as one of the UK's leading rural development consultancies proving a strong commitment to its small community.
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Community Ambassador - Pride of Angus Award sponsored by Angus Housing Association
Winner - The Graham Crescent District Residents Association (who received a cheque for £500)
The Association was formed in January this year by the residents of this Forfar street in response to the modern day problems of vandalism, racism and anti social behaviour.
Even in this short time the area has been dramatically transformed with reported crime down by a staggering 90%!
The work of this group of people taking a stand against the actions of a few, was officially recognised as a shining example of good citizenship and community spirit by the Chief Constable in his annual report. The group attracted extensive national media coverage from a visit by the Depute First Minister Jim Wallace in recognition of their remarkable achievements.
Arlene Tait, the chairperson has been instrumental in helping other community groups in Angus to achieve similar success. With such success already under their belt the judges felt it wouldn't't be too long before the Association were showing the rest of the country how to make a difference.
The Judges felt that Angus had a great deal to be proud of in its communities where people give of their time and energy to make the county a vibrant and dynamic place, not afraid to change, or take a risk in trying to meet that vision.
The real impact lies in their collective action - actions to improve their surroundings and increase the opportunities and aspirations of local residents and businesses. Communities play a major role in increasing the prosperity - both economic and social - of their neighbourhood and the wider county.Highly Commended were:
Monifieth Further Education Association
Established and run by volunteers since 1980, the Association has become the focal point for this community promoting the advancement of informal learning and leisure programmes.
House of Memories, Monifieth
A glimpse into the past as all aspects of living and working in this Burgh have been preserved thanks to the work of volunteers -
Cultural Ambassador - Creative Angus Award sponsored by Astute
Winner - Arbroath Abbey Pageant Society
In 1947 a group of local enthusiasts had a vision to promote their town's unique place in the 1320 signing of the Declaration of Arbroath - the document credited as being the basis of the American Declaration of Independence.
It is that Scottish- American link that the Arbroath Abbey Pageant Society used to great effect in promoting Angus nationally and internationally this year, when they took to the stage as the focal point of Scotland's first official Tartan Day celebration on 6 April.
Top Scottish, US and Canadian businessmen, Scottish media and political figures, and celebrities sat beneath the red sandstone walls of Arbroath Abbey to watch the society's dramatic portrayal of King Robert The Bruce and his nobles gathering to make their Declaration.
Extensive TV and newspaper coverage, both in Scotland and the States, put Arbroath firmly on the global map and work has already begun to make Tartan Day 2005 a truly national celebration. Once again the Pageant Society's colourful and spectacular celebration of this unique moment in Scottish history will be firmly at its centre.
The Society is a voluntary association dependent on its own fundraising and sponsorship to put on their re-enactments on 6 April every year with a full floodlit spectacular in the ruins of Arbroath Abbey once every five years. A full re-enactment is scheduled for August 2005 and will once again attract worldwide interest and bring visitors into Angus.
The judges recognised that in promoting this unique historical connection and with the emerging Tartan Day profile, Angus' distinct heritage was being given a new prominence.Highly Commended were:
Kirriemuir District Agricultural Association
One of the Scotland's leading agricultural shows attracting over 6000 visitors and preserving rural life
Kirriemuir Town House 400 Group/Peter Pan 100
A group of local volunteers organised a major series of ambitious artistic events to celebrate four centuries of life in the town including the 100th anniversary of the birth of Peter Pan's JM Barrie -
International Ambassador - GoAhead Angus Award sponsored by Piperdam Golf &
Leisure Resort
Winner - Mackays Ltd, Carnoustie
Since buying Mackays Ltd in 1985, owner and managing director Paul Grant took this Carnoustie-based company from the brink of closure.
It can now boast 64 employees, an extended product range and a £5 million turnover that includes export sales of £1.5 million throughout 20 markets worldwide.
And earlier this year the company received a Queens Award for Enterprise in recognition of its outstanding achievements in international trade.
Japan is their biggest market, with three different importing companies accounting for 25% of export sales, followed by the USA with 15%, then Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, Germany and France.
This marmalade, preserves and chocolate manufacturer has also won six Food From Excellence awards in the last six years, and just last year scooped the Enterprising Scotland Award for International Business.
And the company's investment in Angus itself is clear from the amount of locally grown soft fruit purchased - spreading the taste of Angus worldwide.
But the accolades do not end there for it was only last year that Paul Grant was presented with an MBE for his service to industry.
The judges feel that all three finalists are very strong contenders this year and represent the modern and entrepreneurial face of industry in Angus, reflecting an important strength of the county.
Highly Commended were:
Hi Fli Banners & Flags, Kirriemuir
The leading supplier for a massive range of banners and flags all over the UK and Europe thanks to the investment in new technology and processes
Merpro Ltd, Montrose
In the past three years export sales have increased from £1.6m to £14.5m, growing from 21% to the current 70% of their turnover. -
Tourism Ambassador - Welcome Angus Award sponsored by Sunsol and C (2) Software
Winner - Forbes Of Kingennie, by Monifieth
Tourism is at the very core of the Scottish economy with huge investment made to attract a share of a global audience in an ever more competitive visitor market.
Angus is ideally placed to offer visitors a snapshot of Scotland with a wealth of natural attributes - world-class golf courses and ideal fishing, walking and sailing facilities.
For those visitors looking for an activity break filled more with tranquillity than torment they need look no further than the Forbes of Kingennie.
Owners Mike and Gail Forbes opened their £1.5 million expanded complex only this May. It grew from Kingennie Fishings - one of last year's tourism award finalists - even then a prominent angling retreat consisting of luxury lodges set amidst four fishing ponds just outside Monifieth.
It now rightly claims to be one of the county's major tourist attractions with a country house, café restaurant, gift shop, children's play area, self catering luxury lodges, an idyllic honeymoon retreat, and a fisherman's dream with ponds that regularly hauls out catches of spectacular specimens worth sticking in a trophy case on a wall.
Awarded four stars from the Scottish Tourist Board, each one of the resort's luxurious lodges is named after the Angus Glens - continuing the Forbes policy of promoting Angus nationally and internationally.
A confidence in their own product, a significant investment in the Angus tourism experience, a growth of the business over the past year and a pride in their environment was specifically commended by the judging panel.Highly Commended were:
Countryside Festival, Glamis Castle
In only its second year this festival attracted over 13,000 visitors to Angus - almost double last year's figure
Forfar Marafun
A major Angus event that attracted 5000 visitors, 400 runners…. and raised almost £40,000 for charity to boot! -
Youth Ambassador - Aspiring Youth Award sponsored by Angus College
Winner - David Wilton, Forfar who received £300
David had his dreams come true, when in August this year he was crowned Juvenile World Highland Dancing Champion and was officially recognised as the dancer who has won the most championships in the UK - 100 to date!
To make it even more special his stepbrother Tony Cargill, the 2002 Youth Ambassador Award winner, and good friend Rachel won the Adult and Junior World Championships. This means that for the first time in 19 years all three World Championships come from Angus and Dundee!
To top off this success the trio performed at the opening of the Scottish Parliament.
But David has not only danced his way to victory, for he was also awarded the Neil Donald Trophy for Young Musician of the Year for his piping skills. And by royal command he played solo for HM The Queen during her tour of Forfar recently.
Not one to rest on his laurels David features on the recent CD release by the City of Brechin Pipe Band, with one of his own compositions a hornpipe called Bruce's Big Toe.Highly commended who each received cheques for £100 were:
Sean O'Rourke, Forfar
This 15-year-old entrepreneur organised a pop concert that attracted national radio coverage and a top Scots band, Speedway, as the headline act.
Nicola Reid of Forfar
One of the youngest ever equestrians to pick up a world championship title at the Special Olympics in Dublin.