It has been just over a month since we delivered the Ayrshire Business Awards Dinner. 2017 saw the event relocate to Ayr Racecourse who hosted a record number of guests who had gathered to celebrate the region’s best businesses. The Awards were hosted by Colin McArdle and the guests were entertained by the fabulous Edward Reid! The event raised over £3000 for local Ayrshire charities Ayrshire Hospice and AIMS Advocacy.

A full list of the award winners can be viewed at https://www.ayrshire-chamber.org/awards/business-awards and some images from the event can be seen in our Gallery. We are looking forward to next years event already!

2017 saw the General Teaching Council Scotland planning its first ever high profile, national Professional Learning Excellence Awards. The purpose of the event is as a celebration of the best of professional practice in terms of professional learning, the promotion of a professional learning culture which is valued based and requires leadership and the promotion of leadership and learning at all levels. The black tie celebration event took place at the Hilton Glasgow, Grosvenor on 21st September 2017.  The evening was hosted by TV personality Dougie Vipond and attracted around 200 guests including teachers and other professionals working in the education sector across Scotland. Images for this event can be viewed on our gallery.

Entourage UK were delighted to have been chosen as the event management company for this event.

We are delighted to be working with Val and the team at Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce to deliver the 7^th Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

The awards, principally sponsored by Munro Partnership, are open to applications and we want to hear from the best that Ayrshire has to offer.

Businesses have until Wednesday 12^th July 2017 to submit their applications for one of the 14 categories before we reveal the winners in October during Ayrshire Business Week.

This year, the judges are looking forward to finding more inspiring examples of Ayrshire’s vibrant business community illustrating the wealth of talent and enterprise in the region and will include two brand new categories – Growth Business of the Year and Business in the Community Award.

Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Val Russell, said: “The Ayrshire Business Awards are all about the best of the best in Ayrshire.

“They have continued to go from strength to strength and that is down to high quality of applications we receive each year. The judging panel have historically always had an incredibly tough job picking the winner and I expect the same this year. We have altered the categories slightly for this year’s Awards to allow even more organisations the opportunity to apply.”

Val added: “This year we have introduced two brand new categories which we believe makes the Ayrshire Business Awards even more accessible to organisations. We aware that so many businesses in Ayrshire do great work in their local community and the Business in the Community Award goes some way to recognising that.

“And there are a number of businesses who could certainly be in the running for the Growth Business of the Year Award for their success in the last 12 months so I look forward to seeing who will enter that category.”

Munro Partnership Managing Director, David Hughes said: “Munro Partnership as part of 1825 Financial Planning are delighted to be the principal sponsor once again for the Ayrshire Business Awards 2017. Last year’s event was a fantastic evening and I would encourage all types of business to enter this year, the benefits for your business, your colleagues and your customers will follow.

This year’s winners will be announced at the Awards night, part of Ayrshire Business Week, on Friday 13^th October at Ayr Racecourse and will be hosted by Colin McArdle and entertainment from the returning Edward Reid.

https://www.ayrshire-chamber.org/awards/business-awards

Entourage UK had the pleasure of delivering a conference in Glasgow for our new client C-Change Scotland.  The Conference debated the rights of those with learning disabilities to live full lives of their own choosing.  The keynote speaker, Sandy McGregor, had spent 37 years in residential care, from the age of 8, following a brain injury sustained in a traffic accident.

Sandy told delegates at the sold-out conference that he did not appreciate that he had a right to a voice, or to be listened to, until well into his forties when the residential institution which looked after him was closed and he was re-housed within the community.

Now supported by charity and conference hosts, C-Change Scotland, Sandy lives much more independently; got married last year and is currently planning his second holiday abroad.

The conference heard from a range of speakers involved in Social Care about the benefits to individuals and the State of Self Directed Support (SDS); allowing people greater freedom to choose the care package they need, rather than having it imposed on them.

Dr Sam Smith, C-Change CEO, said, “When he realised he not only had the right to opinions but that we were genuinely interested in hearing them, Sandy’s attitude changed immeasurably. He is a lovely man and now an outspoken advocate for SDS. We worked closely with him to dismantle some pretty pointless restrictions which limited his life and it has been a true pleasure to see Sandy retake control over his life and choices.

“C-Change Scotland passionately believes in the human right of any individual to self-determination. Success for us is when someone builds sufficient independence to reduce their dependence on us – or indeed does not need us at all any more.”

The conference sold out quickly and delegates included Local Authority and political decision makers; care providers; families and individuals keen to hear more about SDS and their rights to greater choice and autonomy.