FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Conservative Party leader Ruth Davidson have been widely considered for some time to be ladies of prominence who have made a considerable imprint in society.
However, it’s only today the political pair have been recognised by Debrett’s 500, the annual report which lists “the most influential, inspiring and high achieving individuals across Britain”.
And while the inclusion of the Scottish politicians in the society list may seem rather late, Prime Minister David Cameron has again failed to make the cut, with his party colleagues George Osborne and Boris Johnson instead beating him to it.
A spokesman for Debrett’s said: “This year, regular stalwarts including David Hockney and Sir Philip Green are joined by new faces including London Mayor hopeful Zach Goldsmith, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Star Wars sensation John Boyega and boxing champion Anthony Joshua.
“The youngest person on the list is Pakistani activist for female education, Malala Yousafzai and the oldest is Sir David Attenborough.”
Other Scots added to the list this year include journalist Laura Kuenssberg, who is political editor of BBC News, and architect Neil Gillespie of Reiach and Hall, which designed the Maggie's cancer centre in Lanarkshire.
Novelist Ali Smith is recognised for the first time in the Arts category, while Christopher Kane, the designer, earns a place alongside Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham and the Duchess of Cambridge in the Fashion section.
Well-known names who have remained on the list for a second year include poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy and theatre impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
In the worlds of Advertising, Marketing and PR, Craig Inglis, who studied at Edinburgh Napier University, is listed for the first time for his role as marketing director with John Lewis alongside Number 10's director of communications Craig Oliver, who grew up in Stirling.
Debrett’s 500 list is said to be compiled by Debrett’s "in consultation with expert practitioners and commentators".
However, critics have long argued the compilation is entirely subjective.
In the Sport category for this year, BBC presenters Gary Lineker and Clare Balding appear alongside champions Andy Murray and Rory McIlroy. Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is the only playing footballer listed.
TV presenters Ant and Dec, who last week picked up the Best TV Presenter prize at the National Television Awards for the 15th year, are listed in the Broadcasting category, alongside Simon Cowell.
The Musician section includes well-known names such as Adele, newly added this year, and Elton John, alongside DJ Naughty Boy (aka Shahid Khan).
Other new additions to Debrett’s 500 this year include actress Daisy Ridley, astronaut Tim Peake, cook Ella Woodward, boxer Anthony Joshua and politician Sadiq Khan.
The Debrett’s 500 covers 23 sectors, including Architecture, Education, Sport, Food and Journalism. There are 221 new names on this year’s list including Dina Asher-Smith, the fastest British woman in history and body coach Joe Wicks.
The 500 list can throw up detail of societal movement. This year, for example, 39 per cent of the entrants were the first member of their family or of the first generation to go to university.
It came after Debrett warned that last year's list underlined the claim that those who reach positions of influence seldom come from working class backgrounds.
“Levels of social mobility are still shockingly low," it said.
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