THE strength of entrepreneurship in Scotland will be highlighted at a dinner at the Doubletree by Hilton hotel in Glasgow on 30 November when the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards are presented in front of around 500 guests.

Staged this year by Entrepreneurial Scotland in association with professional services firm Deloitte and media partner The Herald, the awards are Scotland’s longest-standing annual awards for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

The awards fall into two categories: Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, and Entrepreneur of the Year. This year’s judges included Julie Wilson and Amy Livingstone, founders of the Cheeky Chompers babywear firm, who the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award last year.

Our preview of the short-listed candidates in each category begins with the five nominees for Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.

Andy Bird, Inoapps, Aberdeen

After gaining an introduction to Oracle software as a young systems specialist working at an offshore engineering firm, Andy Bird has created one of Scotland’s most successful information technology firms.

He founded Inoapps in 2006 having spotted the opportunity to apply the experience he had gained to supply Oracle applications and technologies to firms in the oil and gas industry. Helped by acquisitions he has grown Inoapps into a global business.

Richard Slater, Partner and Head of Private Markets for Deloitte in Scotland, said: “Andy’s in-depth experience and understanding of the Cloud and its development has meant that Inoapps is at the forefront of its industry.”

Chris Gauld, Spark Energy, Selkirk

As chief executive of Spark Energy Chris Gauld runs a business which has quickly become a significant force in the energy supply industry. Mr Gauld drew on the experience he gained at the Grant Property management firm to help found Spark in 2007 as an energy supplier which helped landlords of rental properties smooth the transitions between tenants.

After expanding into the social housing sector, Spark has more than 250,000 customers. Mr Gauld led a management buyout of the firm earlier this year.

Praising Mr Gauld’s dynamism and enthusiasm, Deloitte’s Mr Slater said:“The company is tackling the big six energy providers head on – no small challenge in the intensely competitive energy sector.”

Jean-Christophe Granier, J&D Wilkie, Kirriemuir, Angus

A lawyer by training, Jean-Christophe Granier demonstrated his entrepreneurial instincts at university by importing wine to the UK from his grandfather’s vineyard in the South of France

Since taking charge at family-owned J&D Wilkie in 2012, Mr Granier has helped a textiles business founded in the Victorian times develop specialist operations serving industries such as oil and gas and to add manufacturing capacity in China and India.

Mr Slater said of Mr Granier: “It takes a certain degree of confidence to join a family business that has been trading for over 100 years and shake things up. His drive and leadership will undoubtedly help him succeed.”

Calum Smeaton, TVSquared, Edinburgh

A pioneer of web-based engineering systems, Calum Smeaton has shown his resourcefulness by helping to develop a series of information technology firms that have achieved national prominence.

A founder of the Orbital Software business which achieved renown in the 1990s, Mr Smeaton went on to run the Sumerian data analytics business. He joined with four other specialists to start TVSquared in 2012, to help advertisers maximise the impact of campaigns. The company’s technology lets users see what business they are getting from different sources including web searche and TV adverts.

Mr Slater said: “The company is growing fast as a result of Calum’s drive and persistent dedication to bringing new ideas to the table .”

Lucy-Rose Walker, Entrepreneurial Spark, Glasgow

Lucy Rose Walker has played a key part in the development of Entrepreneurial Spark into an operation which has helped hundreds of hopefuls from across Scotland start businesses in a wide range of industries.

With a degree in psychology from Glasgow university, Ms Rose Walker helped Jim Duffy start ESpark in 2102 and succeeded him as chief executive earlier this year. She was one of the inventors of the educational board game Scottish Quest..

Mr Slater said of Ms Walker: “She has made an extremely positive impact on a number of key business areas, such as encouraging more female entrepreneurs.”