A leading Scottish businessman will receive an MBE for services to Scotland’s food and drink sector in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in her platinum jubilee year.
Stanley Morrice, Chair and Managing Director of a number of global businesses in the energy industry, shipping and food retail and wholesale sectors, expressed his “immense gratitude” for this “very welcome surprise” which recognises his role at the forefront of driving sustainable food and drink production in the North-east of Scotland.
Mr Morrice chairs the food, drink and agriculture board at Opportunity North East (ONE), the private sector catalyst for diversification and growth across the region. He is playing a leading role in the delivery of Seedpod, a £21million investment in the food and drink industry to create a centre of excellence for sustainable manufacturing and production at Scotland’s Rural College campus at Craibstone, scheduled to open in 2023.
The Fraserburgh-born businessman’s career has been one of continued success since making his mark as managing director of Aberness Foods, acquired by Somerfield in a £20million deal in 2004 and he currently chairs the world’s leading ship provisioners Garrets International, offshore catering giants Strachans Ltd, Belgian logistics firm Van Hulle and the University of Stirling Management School Advisory Board. Stanley notably served as Vice Chair of Scottish Enterprise Grampian representing the food and drink sector for five years between 2003 and 2008 before the organisation’s restructure discontinued regional boards.
He has also been recognised for his considerable contribution with honorary professorships from the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee and Stirling.
Stanley lives in rural Aberdeenshire with his wife Evelyn and their English springer spaniel Pebbles. The couple have two grown up sons and enjoy reading and gardening. He retains a strong passion for mentoring the next generation of global business leaders, nurturing the talent needed to diversify Scotland’s economy.
Commenting on the award, Stanley Morrice said:
“This has come as a very welcome surprise indeed — and I am immensely grateful for this recognition of my career to date.
“I’m very proud of my roots in the North-east of Scotland and the opportunities the region has provided me. It’s a privilege to be at the stage in life where I can focus my time on giving something back through mentoring the next generation of business leaders, sharing the experience with students and ensuring that we secure a thriving economy for generations to come.
“At the heart of that challenge is our food and drink sector, making sure this region remains synonymous with premium quality produce and that we maximise the opportunities of decarbonising the sector by giving businesses the support to grow and succeed.
“It’s been an honour to have been able to contribute to shaping the sector’s future and I look forward to continuing to do so.”
Chairman of Opportunity North East, Sir Ian Wood, said:
“I warmly congratulate Stanley for receiving this honour, the dedication and professionalism displayed throughout his career has been rightly recognised.
"He has made an invaluable contribution to the development of the food, drink and agriculture activities at Opportunity North East and we are very fortunate to be able to draw upon his extensive experience.”