Billy Sloan

Born: February 4, 1967;

Died: January 30, 2015.

William George (Billy) Sloan, who has died aged 47, was an inspirational leader in the social enterprise movement in Scotland. In January 1995 he joined an unemployment programme with the Wise Group in Glasgow and at the time of his death he was the chief executive of the Aberdeen-based social enterprise, SCARF, that delivers services across the north east of Scotland.

He was born in Glasgow and spent his early years in Knightswood, where he attended Knightswood primary and secondary schools.

The family moved to Basingstoke when hr was 13 years old and he completed his secondary education there. He attended Basingstoke College for a short spell then chose to return to Glasgow at the age of 17 to look for work.

His first job was a sales assistant with a shoe retailer in Glasgow. He moved to work with Schuh and quickly became an area manager. After a company re-structuring he was made redundant and then was unemployed for more than a year.

In 1995, he joined one of the Wise Group intermediate labour market programmes designed to help long-term unemployed people develop new skills, get work experience and then access and sustain a new job. The programme lasted for a year and he worked as a trainee energy adviser.

He became passionate about the alleviation of poverty and inequality and could see the impact of tackling fuel poverty on households' income. This dedication and ambition led to a full time energy adviser post with the Wise Group in 1996.

In 1999 he was seconded to a new organisation, the Energy Agency, for 12 months to help train their new staff in the promotion of energy efficiency to households and in schools.

On his return from secondment he was quickly promoted to manage the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre and then in 2007 became head of sustainability at the Wise Group.

His extraordinary commitment, energy and capabilities led to his role increasing. In 2010 he became a director for all operational delivery with responsibility for the government employability contracts, an innovative community justice mentoring programme, in addition to his sustainability portfolio.

His 17 years with the Wise Group had convinced him of the impact that social enterprises could have on the lives of communities and people in need. He was ambitious to do more and in 2012 he was appointed by SCARF in Aberdeen as their chief executive.

His impact was huge during his relatively short time there. Their chairman said that he left behind a real legacy of leading a successful organisation with closely held principles and values. One of his proudest achievements at SCARF was taking them into the Sunday Times top 100 not-for-profit companies to work for.

His journey from a difficult early life through unemployment to becoming a chief executive characterised his dedication to his work. But he did not take that too seriously and often joked that he was brought up on salty rhubarb and sugary mince.

For many of his colleagues his memory will be his ready wit, his generosity and his charismatic leadership style. He devoted much of his time to mentoring and coaching colleagues in the social values and positive behaviours that he lived by.

Outside of work, he made and sustained many close friendships and was loved by everyone close to him. He was also the centre of attention, the joker and raconteur at social events. And he always said he had a hoot and holler.

His early days in the retail fashion sector had a long lasting impact on his sartorial elegance and he became a collector of watches.

A deeply caring man, he died suddenly in Aberdeen on 30 January at an age when he had much more to offer the social enterprise movement in Scotland. His colleagues and many close friends will sorely miss but never forget the indefatigable Billy Sloan.

He is survived by his sisters, Val and Gael, their husbands, Gordon and Dave, and his nephews and niece.

LAURIE RUSSELL