The search for Scotland’s leading entrepreneurs will reach a conclusion when the winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year awards are announced at a dinner at the SWG3 events space in Glasgow on 30 November.

Staged by Entrepreneurial Scotland, the awards will highlight the achievements of people who have excelled in entrepreneurial leadership in the last 12 months.

This year’s awards feature an entrepreneur of the year prize sponsored by Deloitte, a new category of Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year, backed by Barclays and a Rising Star Entrepreneur of the Year prize.

The Herald is the media sponsor.

Our preview of the short-listed candidates concludes with the three nominees for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The 2016 award was won by James Milne, founder of the Balmoral oil services group, who was on the judging panel this year.

Steven Dunlop, Chief Executive, Scottish Canals

Strathclyde university education graduate Steve Dunlop made a name for himself in a local authority career that culminated in him serving as director of regeneration for Newcastle City Council.

Since becoming chief executive of Scottish Canals in 2006 he has master-minded efforts to breathe new life into a 137-mile network dating from the eighteenth century .

Scottish Canals has diversified from its core business of maintaining its waterways into developing projects that can generate income and deliver lasting change for canalside communities.

The canal corridor in North Glasgow is being transformed into an arts and creative community with an urban sports playground and hilltop village featuring over 600 houses.

Mr Dunlop is a member of the board of the VisitScotland tourism body.

David Mitchell, Head of Private Markets Audit, at Deloitte, said Scottish Canals has transformed into an asset for the whole of Scotland during Mr Dunlop’s time in charge. “He’s tackled projects with a strategic attitude, has pushed the boundaries of the organisation and has uncovered new ways to boost the Scottish economy,” said Mr Mitchell.

Tarak Ramzan, Chief Executive, QUIZ plc

Tarak Ramzan turned heads in July when he helped the QUIZ clothing retail business he runs complete a highly successful stock market listing after it raised £103 million from City investors.

The exercise provided a notable vote of confidence in a business that Mr Ramzan founded in 1994 and has grown into a chain with more than 300 stores. QUIZ has operations in more than 20 countries.

Mr Ramzan moved into retailing from manufacturing, as UK firms faced growing overseas competition.

He left university after his first year of studies to help run his family’s womenswear manufacturing firm.

Mr Ramzan is involved in mentoring several start-up companies.

Richard Slater, partner and Head of Private Markets at Deloitte, said it would take a brave person to bet against QUIZ becoming the £1 billion business Mr Ramzan is aiming for. He added: “The amazing story behind QUIZ is testament to Tarak’s positivity, ambition, fortitude, and resourcefulness – even when things weren’t going his way.”

Gareth Williams, chief executive and co-founder, Skyscanner

Computer programmer Gareth Williams started Skyscanner with friends Bonamy Grimes and Barry Smith after getting frustrated when searching for cheap flights to pursue his love of skiing on visits to the Alps.

The trio developed the idea for a site that could compare the flight prices charged by the world’s commercial airlines in a brainstorming session in the pub and have seen it form the basis of a huge global success story.

The Skyscanner service launched in 2003 helps travellers book more than two million flights a month.

Chinese online travel agent Ctrip bought Skyscanner in November 2016 in a deal that valued it at £1.4bn. Mr Williams remains at the helm of the business, which employs over 900 staff around the world.

Skyscanner is a company Scotland and its business community is immensely proud of, said Mr Slater. He noted:“Gareth continues to play a vital role in the technology sector, sharing his experiences to mentor and support the Scottish start-up community. He is an extremely deserving candidate.”