LORD Willie Haughey, owner of City Holdings Group, has lifted one of Scotland’s most prestigious business awards.
The Glasgow-based businessman and philanthropist, whose facilities management empire has operations in Australia, Asia, the US and Europe, was last night named EY Entrepreneur of the Year at a ceremony in Gleneagles.
The Labour Party donor began his career as an air conditioning engineer and set up his company, then City Refrigeration Holdings, in 1985. He and wife Lady Susan Haughey used their life savings to establish the business, which now employs more than 12,000 people across the world and turns over around £600 million. As the company has grown Lord Haughey has become known for his philanthropic work, support for entrepreneurs and investment in staff development.
EY’s Mike Timmins said: “Lord William Haughey OBE is a compelling leader who has built a world class business, which is widely regarded as the benchmark for excellence. The judges were impressed by the sustainable business model he has developed and his commitment to improving the lives of others.”
Other winners were Chris Stewart of Chris Stewart Group, David Venables of Synpromics, John Reynolds of Castle Water, Rabinder Buttar of Clintec International, Chares Hammond of Forth Ports, and the firm Robertson.
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