TWO Lanarkshire recruitment entrepreneurs are among six finalists in the 2010 ‘Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award’.
The joint founders of XL Tec Recruitment, based in Cumbernauld was shortlisted from 18 winners representing regions throughout Scotland and will now go through to the finals and compete for the coveted national title at an award ceremony in Glasgow’s City Chambers on Tuesday 16th November 2010.
If they win, in addition to being crowned PSYBT ‘Young Entrepreneurs of the Year’, they will also receive a £2,000 cash prize to further develop their business.
Greg Clarkson (27) and Allan Whitson (31) founded XL Tec Recruitment in July 2008. From a recruitment background, their initial plan was to specialise in both the construction and facility management sectors, supplying permanent and temporary staff.
However, both industries were badly affected by the recession and therefore they decided to focus their efforts on the oil and gas industry.
XL Tec now has a loyal client base including Transocean, Maersk, Aban, Dolphin and Petroserv.
Ninety-five per cent of the company’s business comes from overseas and they provide staff to drilling contractors all over the world. The pair has recently opened an office in India employing a local specialist and hope to employ six consultants within the next 18 months.
Congratulating the six finalists, PSYBT chief executive, Mark Strudwick, said: “Our finalists have exemplified determination, will to succeed and the ability to turn an idea into a viable business and in the current economic climate their achievements deserve extra recognition.”
The five other finalists are Gregor Mackintosh (23) founder of Mackintosh of Glendaveny in Aberdeenshire. He harvests his own rapeseed crop to produce an Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Oil which is sold to farm shops, delicatessens, butchers, and major supermarkets throughout Scotland.
Hayleigh Linton (26) and Christopher Craig (29), joint founders of Bank Street Auto Clinic in Irvine, who after only one year of trading have tripled their revenues and now employ three mechanics.
Allan Elliot (25) founder of Dalbeattie Fine Foods in Dalbeattie, who has won numerous awards for his pies, haggis, black pudding and has featured on a variety of food and cookery programmes.
Raphael Metayer (31) and Carina Neubert Favero (23), founders of the St Andrews Golf Experience. The pair organise bespoke golfing packages for overseas clients and have welcomed over 500 visitors to Fife and the surrounding area since they started in 2008.
Kirsten Dunnett (24) who has won numerous enterprise and retail awards and is the founder of Missy La La’s in Dundee, a boutique which stocks clothing brands sourced from London, as well as stylish bags and accessories.
In a double result for Lanarkshire, retired Rutherglen businessman Tom Byrne has also been shortlisted as one of four finalists who will compete for the coveted title of volunteer of the year at the same awards.
Mr Byrne, who spent a large part of his career overseas as a management and milling consultant, joined the PSYBT panel of Aftercare Advisers in Lanarkshire in 2008.
Since then, he has become a central figure in the region whose expertise, mentoring and inspiration has helped many young entrepreneurs fulfil their self employment ambitions.
The other three ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’ finalists are Michael Craig from the Grampian region, Detlef Lorenz from West Lothian, and Ted Ferguson from the Borders region.
Ends
For further information contact, PSYBT Regional Manager, Lyndsey Little on tel. 01236 702020 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
Name: Greg Clarkson and Allan Whitson
Company: XLTec Recruitment
Website address: www.xltecrecruitment.co.uk
Email address: greg.clarkson@xltec.co.uk / allan.whitson@xltec.co.uk
Mobile: 07590774745 / 07843565631.
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