ALLAN Elliot is named Dumfries & Galloway’s top young entrepreneur at the regional finals of the 2010 Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ Awards.
The 25 year-old founder of Dalbeattie Fine Foods in Dalbeattie was announced as regional winner at a ceremony at Browne House in Dumfries yesterday.
He was presented with a £1,000 cash prize by Dave Wilson, EnergySolutions site director at Chapelcross, sponsors of the winner’s award.
Mr Elliot will now be considered by the judging panel to be entered into the national final taking place at Glasgow’s City Chambers on Tuesday 16th November 2010.
Six of the 18 regional winners are selected to compete for the coveted national title of PSYBT ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ and the opportunity to win an additional £2,000.
Dalbeattie Fine Foods was established in 2004 when Allan Elliot left his home in Ireland and bought a butchers shop in Dalbeattie.
His business quickly took off and he soon gained a reputation for his winning products.
Recent awards include Scottish Haggis Championship winner 2007, Scottish Steak Pie Championships winner 2007, Scottish Black Pudding Championships winner 2008 and Young Butcher of the year 2008.
Dalbeattie Fine Foods has featured on numerous food and cooking programmes and Mr Elliot has also developed valuable links with top restaurateurs in London.
He recently secured a food and marketing grant from the Scottish Government and is considering expanding the business this year with a refurbishment of the shop and the installation of a manufacturing unit.
The runner-up is Stuart Rutherford from Kirkmahoe, who started Nith Valley Free Range Eggs in March 2009 having spent over two years researching the market.
Nith Valley Free Range Eggs presently has 9,000 hens, with 85 per cent of eggs going to the wholesale market and 15 per cent to the retail market. With demand for local free range eggs increasing, Mr Rutherford has already started recruiting additional members of staff and is developing plans to buy a farm with more land so that he can increase his hen stock.
A representative from Dumfries & Galloway Council presented Mr Rutherford with a £500 cash prize and runners-up certificate.
Both the winner and the runner-up received funding, advice and support from PSYBT, which during the last twenty one years, has supported almost 12,000 young people to start over10,000 businesses, providing £31.5million in funding and additional assistance.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, PSYBT regional chair, Anne Chaudhry said: “Our regional finalists have demonstrated ambition, courage and determination to set up and develop their own businesses. Youth enterprise is something to be recognised and applauded and we wish them all the best for the national final.”
Dave Wilson, of EnergySolutions. added: “We are delighted to support PSYBT for a second year. These awards recognise the achievements of Scotland’s young people and encourage an environment that celebrates business innovation.
“Entrepreneurship is essential to our future prosperity not just in the Dumfries & Galloway region but throughout Scotland.”
The regional awards also recognised the expertise, mentoring advice and inspiration of aftercare advisor, Terry Lee, who was named Dumfries & Galloway’s regional Volunteer of the Year.
A PSYBT regional manager assists with everything from compiling a business plan to securing premises.
Once the business is up and running, an aftercare adviser is appointed, all of whom are experts in their fields.
They work as volunteers for the organisation, with the sole aim of helping young entrepreneurs sustain their business and offering them crucial advice during the first two years in business.
Mr Lee will go forward and have the chance of winning the coveted title of ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at the national award finals in November.
Ends
For further information contact, PSYBT Regional Manager, Angela Booth on tel. 01387 261 537 or Margaret Gibson/Emma Fitzpatrick at PSYBT head office on Tel no. 0141 248 4999. Visit the PSYBT website at www.psybt.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
Contact: Allan Elliot, Dalbeattie Fine Foods, www.dalbeattiefinefoods.co.uk,
sales@dalbeattiefinefoods.co.uk, 01556 610349, 07876330066
Contact: Stuart Rutherford, Nith Valley Free Range Eggs, info@nithvalleyeggs.co.uk, 01387 710457, Mobile Phone Number 07766008019.
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