A top executive of leading supplier of drilling tools to the offshore oil and gas industry Saltire Energy was named the overall winner of the EY Scotland Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2015.

Chief executive Mike Loggie was chosen among 25 Scottish business leaders to claim the top accolade and will go on to represent Scotland at the EY UK Entrepreneur of the Year final in October.

The winners were announced at a prestigious black tie ceremony at Gleneagles Hotel recently.

Loggie established Saltire Energy in 1986 and has since grown the company into a group of three highly successful subsidiaries.

Over the past three years, the company’s turnover figures increased 68 per cent, with its on-the-ground presence in Australia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Far East growing as a result of client demand.

David Mitchell, EY director of Entrepreneur Of The Year Scotland, said: “Saltire Energy is a true Scottish success story, delivering exceptional profit and rapid international growth in a very competitive and volatile market, with further scope for growth still.

“Mike’s stewardship together with his focus on, and commitment to, his staff and clients have seen the company go from strength to strength.”

The annual EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals that build and lead growing, successful and dynamic businesses.

A leading business and philanthropic figure, Loggie was commended by the judges for his entrepreneurial spirit, clear vision for the company and business strategy. Mike’s leadership style and dedication to developing the skills of his team were also recognised.

John Swinney, Deputy First Minister, said: “The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award is a great example of the Scotland ‘can do’ ethos. Our vision is for Scotland to be a world-leading entrepreneurial and innovative nation - one in which growth and innovation go hand-in-hand with a commitment towards delivering wider benefit to all of society. I applaud Loggie on his vision and entrepreneurial spirit.”

During the awards ceremony, seven other Scottish entrepreneurs were acknowledged which included Josh Littlejohn of Social Bite, James Watt of BrewDog, Professor Jim Duffy of Entrepreneurial Spark, Grant Keenan of Keenan Recyling, Andrew Kerr of CMS Windows, Peter Bruce of Entièr and Murray Kerr of SengS Subsea Engineering Solutions. - TradeArabia News Service