We are delighted to announce that the well-known writer, broadcaster and former MP Gyles Brandreth will be the keynote speaker at the Elevator Awards 2017 in Aberdeen.
‘CHARISMATIC’ GYLES BRANDRETH TO HOST ANNUAL ABERDEEN BUSINESS AWARDS
The Oxford scholar will also host our most high-profile event, which will be attended by hundreds of guests celebrating business excellence, entrepreneurial behaviour and outstanding community contributions made by top businesses in Aberdeen City and Shire.
Elevator’s Chief Executive Professor Gary McEwan said: “We are very excited that Gyles – one of the best awards hosts in the business - has agreed to compere this year’s event. He is a well-known and highly respected writer and an engaging and charismatic TV personality, and I’m sure his intelligent and humorous anecdotal sprinklings throughout the event will go down very well with the audience.
“We constantly thrive to create the most engaging, professional and celebratory event through the Elevator Awards and, with his in-depth knowledge of many topics, including business and politics, Gyles is a very welcome addition to the team this year. We are looking forward to our biggest and best event yet.”
Former Oxford Scholar, President of the Oxford Union and MP Gyles Brandreth’s career has ranged from being a Whip and Lord Commissioner of the Treasury in John Major’s government to starring in his own award-winning musical revue in London’s West end.
A prolific broadcaster, in programmes ranging including Just a Minute, Wordaholics, QI and Have I Got News for You, Gyles is an acclaimed interviewer, principally for the Sunday Telegraph. He is also a novelist, children’s author and biographer, having written two acclaimed royal biographies: Philip & Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage and Charles & Camilla: Portrait of a Love Affair. His recent Sunday Times best-sellers include Word Play, a celebration of the English language, and The 7 Secrets of Happiness.
As a performer, Gyles Brandreth has been seen in the West End in Zipp! One hundred musicals for less than the price of one at the Duchess Theatre and on tour throughout the UK, and as Malvolio and the Sea Captain in Twelfth Night: The Musical at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
He has won a number of awards as a public speaker, novelist, children’s writer, broadcaster, political diarist, journalist, theatre producer and businessman. He has featured on This Is Your Life and Desert Island Discs and is a former chairman and now vice-president of the National Playing Fields Association. At the end of 2016, he succeeded the late Duke of Westminster as Chancellor of the University of Chester.
There has been a steady stream of applications in all 10 categories coming through since the launch of the awards last month.
Winners at last year’s awards included up and coming businesses, innovative organisations and firms from a range of sectors including energy, technology, hospitality, beauty and property. There is still time for entrants to apply for one or more of the following 10 categories HERE with a closing date of 5 pm on Friday, March 17 March 2017. The black tie awards ceremony will be held at the Mercure Aberdeen Ardoe House Hotel on Thursday 29h of June 2017.
- Most Promising New Business – sponsored by Business Gateway
- Business Success Under Three Years - sponsored by Scottish Enterprise
- Business Success Over Three Years - sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland
- The Innovation Award - sponsored by Murgitroyd
- The ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ Award – sponsored by The Prince’s Trust
- The Alick Buchanan-Smith Enterprising Communities Award – sponsored by Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council
- Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year - sponsored by Aberdeen University
- Employer of the Year - sponsored by Avensure
- Entrepreneurial Supporter of the Year - sponsored by FSB
- Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland
Thanks go to our Key Partner, The Royal Bank of Scotland, our Partners, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council and our category sponsors, without whom, this event would not be possible.