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Scotland’s Most Creative Young Entrepreneur and Most Outstanding Young Person are announced

The joint winners of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Scotland’s most creative young entrepreneur (CYEA) were announced on Friday 12 August 2011 as Emma Little of ExecSpace and James Watt of BrewDog. The Outstanding Young Person (TOYP) of Scotland was named as Dr. Andrew Murray.

It was the first time that JCI Scotland have awarded the CYEA to two joint finalists. Edinburgh’s Emma Little is founder of ExecSpace a company specialising in helping sourcing conference and meeting room requirements and James Watt, founder of BrewDog brewery in Aberdeenshire. The CYEA award recognises business people who use imagination and creativity in their business enterprise which can include using creativity in product development, service development, or even in the way they approach the market.

Project Director Maggie Georgopoulos said: “The judges could not pick one sole winner for the CYEA this year, both Emma and James are outstanding in their own right. Emma has taken something that is run of the mill and turned it into something totally unique. Ironically, the unique mix is customer service, but with a twist. Emma ensures that her customers truly feel valued, and that they are communicated within a timely and friendly manner. James Watt also takes the title due to his innovative and creative way in which he has raised funds to continue the growth of the business. The Equity for Punks idea along with the different approach to marketing BrewDog beer, really does make James stand out.”

The JCI Outstanding Young Persons of the World (JCI TOYP) Programme recognises young people who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of the world’s young people. By recognising these young people, JCI encourages them and others to seek excellence and serve others. It’s just one way that JCI contributes to preparing better leaders, who will create better societies.

The TOYP Programme recognises the achievements of young people in categories ranging from business accomplishments and humanitarian efforts to outstanding leadership, medical and cultural achievements and Dr. Andrew Murray, originally from Aberdeen and now living in Edinburgh, is a worthy winner of this years award. JCI Scotland National President Suzanne Shinnie said: Andrew has undertaken some outstanding achievements both on a personal level as a Doctor and as an ultra-marathon runner. What sets him apart is that he also uses what he is passionate about to raise awareness for those that can’t do it themselves. One of his many achievements being that he raised £70,000 for the Yamaa Trust, whilst achieving an event record and getting it all publicised on the BBC.”

Guests at the event enjoyed an evening of networking as well as hearing from key note speaker Petra Wetzel, founder of Glasgow’s West brewery. The panel of Judges for the competition comprised of Sir Moir Lockhead, former Chief Executive of First Group, Mick Jackson founder of Scottish charity WildHearts, Olivia Giles, founder of the Charity 500 miles and former International TOYP winner and JCI Scotland National President Suzanne Shinnie.

Emma, James and Andrew will be automatically entered into the International awards programme. From the International programmes, ten winners are selected from all over the world for TOYP and three finalists and one overall winner for CYEA. These winners and finalists will receive a free round-trip airline ticket to attend the JCI World Congress which this year is in Brussels in November. One overall winner will be selected by a panel of international judges as the 2011 JCI Top Creative Young Entrepreneur in the world and 10 winners will carry the title of 2011 Most Outstanding Young Person in the world.

Past Scotland winners who have been honoured as one of the ten outstanding young people of the world include Evelyn Glennie and Olivia Giles.

For more information on the competitions please visit www.jciscotland.com.

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