AJ Engineering boss shortlisted for prestigious director award
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ALAN James, Managing Director of Forres based AJ Engineering, has been shortlisted as a regional finalist in the Institute of Directors (IoD) Scotland Awards.
Winners will be revealed via an online live awards ceremony on Thursday, December 9. The ceremony will be hosted by television and radio presenter, Shereen Nanjiani, better known for her work with the BBC and STV.
Mr James said: "I am delighted to be shortlisted for the Highlands and Islands region and see that I am up against some strong contenders, so this already feels like a win in itself. This has, despite the pandemic,
been a great year for AJ Engineering and being shortlisted is a great way to be ending the year.
"However, whilst it is my name that is at the head of the company, AJ Engineering and its sister company the Northern Engineering and Welding Company are run by a huge team of committed and enthusiastic staff."
Mr James is shortlisted alongside Fiona MacInnes of Orkney Fisherman's Society and Kevin Shaw of Heatherlea Ltd.
The nomination caps a stellar few months for the business. In October, AJ Engineering’s new multi-million-pound premises in Forres were officially opened by The Princess Royal who also met members of the staff after being shown the company's HQ.
That was followed by news that the business would be travelling to the Antarctic to work at the British Antarctic Survey's remote Rothera Research Station where temperatures can plunge to as low as -34C.
Mr James added: "It really has been a very exciting year at AJ Engineering. We have had many highlights and this latest award news is just one of them."
Theresa Shearer, Chair of the Judging Panel, added: "There was merit in every single one of the entries for these awards and the judges reflected long and hard over the shortlist.
"What has shone through are directors' resilience and entrepreneurship in the face of the extraordinary challenges we have been experiencing.
"Institute of Directors Scotland is excited by the energy and innovation of young directors and those leading established organisations. IoD Scotland is all about good directorship and this
shortlist has shining examples."
