The Herald and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce in association with award winning city brand, PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW, are delighted to continue to celebrate the wealth and breadth of community, business, arts and sports organisations who are working tirelessly for this great city.

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “A variety of sectors and people from all walks of life will be represented at this year’s Inspiring City Awards but each will have one thing in common – the work they do is making a lasting contribution to the city’s legacy. It’s fantastic to have this platform to celebrate such pioneering individuals and organisations.”

This year’s awards are supported by AHR, amiExecutive, Glasgow Airport, Glasgow Caledonian University, European Championships Glasgow 2018, Glasgow Taxis, Developing the Young Workforce Glasgow, Loretto Care part of Wheatley Group, Virgin Trains, The Watson Foundation and Hacking & Paterson Management Services. These organisations have joined together to host a glittering awards ceremony, hosted by Catriona Shearer on Thursday, September 8, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, the event will bring together the great and the good of Glasgow.

This year, saw a record number of entries with Glasgow companies leading the way through manufacturing special purpose vehicle’s for disables users, outward looking charities, focussed on the betterment of all Glasgow residents to fantastic care groups who strive to aid the lives of so many.

Angela Morrison, Owner and Founder of amiExecutive, said: “The Inspiring City Awards is such a highly anticipated event in the Glasgow Business Calendar; and the event has grown such a great reputation for a reason! It’s fantastic. The ICA’s are truly one of the events I most look forward to ever year, I’m even traveling back from the Middle East to be there! I can’t wait to hear about all of the incredible work that the finalists have been involved in this year!”

Colin Hartley, Director, Glasgow 2018 European Championships Director, said: “Each and every one of the shortlisted finalists in the sport category at the Inspiring City Awards has made a very real difference to people in communities across the city and that is exactly what this event is all about. Sport has the power to changes lives and our finalists have been doing that day in and day out.

“We want to harness that very same power and inspiration in 2018 when we host the inaugural European Championships – an exciting new multi-sport event that will bring together some of the continent’s top sports over 12 days of spectacular sporting competition. And with over 50 nations set to compete Glasgow will once again be at the centre of the sporting world.”

David Doran, Director, Hacking and Paterson Management Services, said: “All of us at Hacking and Paterson Management Services are looking forward to the Gala Awards dinner on 8th September and to congratulating all finalists in recognition of their continuing achievements. The Legacy Award nominees once again showcase the great work carried out by the many organizations in assisting and developing the people of Glasgow. These organisations have and continue to go the extra mile and we look forward to celebrating their efforts on the night.”

Stephen Flynn, vice chairman of Glasgow Taxis Ltd said: “The Inspiring City awards pay tribute to the many Glaswegian people and businesses who help make our city so special. People really do make Glasgow and teachers, lecturers and a huge variety of other educators play a key role in ensuring that those attending our nurseries, schools, universities and colleges are informed and educated to the highest standard. Congratulations must go to all the finalists in the category who have made a positive impact on so many lives. Glasgow Taxis Ltd is proud to show its support for the awards and play a part in celebrating this brilliant city.”

Richard Blair, Director of AHR, said “With such a diverse range of awards and contenders we are really excited to be supporting the event this year.  No other event brings Glasgow together like the Inspiring City Awards.”

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “There are so many people and organisations that have dedicated their time to the development of the city, and they deserve huge credit for making Glasgow such a fantastic place to live, work and invest.  “We look forward to another fantastic Inspiring City Awards ceremony later this year.”

Professor Toni Hilton, Dean of Glasgow School for Business and Society at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), said: As the University for the Common Good we promote socially responsible citizenship behaviours by individuals, businesses and organisations. We educate and encourage our students to make a positive contribution to society as critical participants and responsible leaders. We are proud to sponsor these award that recognises the positive economic and social impact of the world-class companies and organisations based in Glasgow.

Alison McRae, Senior Director, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce said: “Congratulations to all finalists for this year’s Industry & Young People Innovation Award! We are delighted to have such a fantastic range of Glasgow businesses that are dedicated to making a significant difference to young people through various innovative projects.   Developing the Young Workforce Glasgow is immensely proud to be supporting this award and the Inspiring City Awards is an excellent way to recognise and showcase this very worthwhile activity while inspiring other businesses to help young people in Glasgow to reach their potential.  We wish all finalists the very best of luck on 8 September.”

James Muir, Chair of Loretto Care, part of Wheatley Group, said: “We are looking forward to the Inspiring City awards and, in particular, to recognising and celebrating the great work done by carers, much of which is unseen and unsung. All of those shortlisted in the carer category deserve to be a winner and I am sure, win or not, each one of them will get a huge, well-earned round of applause on the night.”

Anna Doran, Virgin Trains General Manager for Anglo-Scottish services on the west coast route, said: “We can’t wait to meet the finalists at the awards to hear first-hand about all the good work they’re doing, particularly in the environmental category to recognise efforts to tackle pollution and reduce carbon emissions – a subject we’re passionate about at Virgin Trains.”

John M Watson OBE said: “The moment is approaching when people and individuals will be recognised for what they do for Glasgow.   They contribute enormously to making our great city a vibrant, successful and, just as importantly, a caring place. These Awards recognise such excellence and commitment and The Watson Foundation is proud to be playing its part.”