The newly elected leader of Glasgow City Council, Susan Aitken, said: “Glasgow is undoubtedly Scotland’s creative, cultural and economic capital and as our city brand proclaims, it is the people who fill it with life, energy, passion and personality.”

She said it provides an “opportunity to celebrate and shine a light on those individuals who go above and beyond to make Glasgow such a fantastic city”.

This year’s event features 15 categories including the Art and Culture Award, Carer(s) of the Year Award, an Environmental Award and Outstanding Contribution by a Business Leader.

Behind the Sport Award is Glasgow 2018 European Championships, whose director Colin Hartle said: “Sport change lives and that is why events such as Glasgow 2018 are so important. We are sure that the inspirational power of sport will shine through in the entrants for this year’s awards.”

The Apprenticeship Challenge Award is supported by Glasgow Employer Board and chairman Craig Martin said: “The Apprenticeship Challenge is an opportunity to showcase the talent of young people working in businesses across Glasgow.

“The Challenge itself allows apprentices to work together in teams and give something back to the community using the skills they have developed through their apprenticeship.”

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 an award that recognises the positive economic and social impact of the world-class companies and organisations based in Glasgow.

“Supporting the Environmental Category, Scottish Water are looking after the environment in a sustainable manner is key to our success. We want to hear from businesses that demonstrate the best environmental practises and innovation and celebrate their success.”

Richard Blair, Director, AHR Architects said ,”The Inspiring City Arts and Culture Award gives us a chance to support and recognise this valuable contribution to the diverse nature of our city.  This level of quality has been reflected in previous winners and demonstrates the strength of the arts we have in the city.”

Alison McRae, Senior Director, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, “The Developing the Young Workforce Industry and Young People Innovation Award is an opportunity for businesses to profile the work they have been doing to support young people across the city.  Working with industry to create exciting and relevant opportunities for young people is at the heart of DYW.  We are keen to have applications from businesses that believe they have gone the extra mile in developing the workforce for the future.”

Glasgow Welcomes Chair, Craig Martin, Head of HR, Glasgow Airport., As the city’s tourism service initiative, the role of Glasgow Welcomes is to inspire and develop our people to deliver outstanding levels of customer service to provide a truly memorable visitor experience.  That’s why we have chosen to sponsor this new category “Glasgow Welcomes Service Champion Award”

An outstanding visitor experience is vital to ensuring Glasgow has a thriving leisure and business tourism sector, and is aligned with the objectives set out in the city’s tourism and visitor plan.

We’re keen to recognise individuals and businesses working in Glasgow’s tourism, leisure, retail and hospitality sectors, who strive to consistently deliver outstanding levels of customer service excellence.  With a focus on people, nominations should include innovative ways in which the individual or organisation has enhanced the customer experience, and should provide demonstrable and quantifiable evidence of their success, along with testimonials and/or case studies.

“As an established Glasgow business, Hacking and Paterson Management Services understand the importance of supporting the communities in which we operate and are proud of the part we play in the continued maintenance of, and investment in, the Cities housing stock for the benefit of its homeowners, the people of Glasgow.  We are confident the Inspiring City Legacy Award 2017, as it did last year, will highlight similarly-minded individuals or organisations who have made and continue to make lasting contributions to the City’s legacy along with a positive difference to the citizens of Glasgow.”

‘Scullion LAW have chosen to support the Carer(s) in the Community Award to recognise and reward people going above and beyond for others. We are committed to the communities in which we serve. We felt a great synergy with this category and believe it has never been more important than now, to spread love and show people you truly care. We want to identify and thank the individuals in our society that put the needs of others before their own… because their time, friendship and support makes such a massive difference to the lives of others and we feel this love should be celebrated’.

John M Watson OBE who set up The Watson Foundation said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Outstanding Contribution by a Young Business Leader category.

“It is now time to tell us if you are an exceptional young business leader. We know this great city is brimming with young business talent whose efforts contribute to making Glasgow the vibrant, successful and enterprising place it is.

“The Inspiring City Awards 2017 will rightly shine the spotlight on the individual who stands out from the crowd.”

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “It is a real privilege for us to be sponsoring the Life Time Achievement award in 2017 – after all, it is the people who make this city so special.  “It is true what they say – people really do make Glasgow, and throughout our history we have enjoyed a well-earned reputation for our friendly and entrepreneurial spirit.  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.”

“Glasgow has an array of impressive and innovative businesses and these awards aim to recognise their success, as well as the important role that they play in encouraging other organisations to achieve the best results.

“We’re supporting this year’s Industry and Business Award because we want to inspire the city’s business community to aim for the next level and achieve even greater success.”

Speaking on behalf of the Glasgow Taxis Ltd executive committee, Chairman Stephen Flynn said: “Glasgow Taxis Ltd is proud to continue its sponsorship of the Education category for the Inspiring City Awards, which is going from strength to strength.

“We have great affection for Glasgow’s brilliant nurseries, schools, colleges and universities. Our staff and drivers attended them and it’s now the turn of their children. We help transport children safely to and from school on a daily basis and, of course, we are staunch supporters of the annual Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund trip to Troon for more than 300 children. So it’s fitting that we support a category that helps shine a light on some of the true heroes in Glasgow’s education sector.”

Simon Driscoll Consultancy have sponsored the Outstanding Contribution by a Business Leader at this year’s Inspiring City Awards as we want to support leaders who motivate and drive their companies and teams forward.  It is important the Business Leaders don’t just sit back and expect their business to achieve without their involvement, inspiration and vision.

The event will be held on Thursday, September 7, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Glasgow city centre.

To enter for free or attend please go to https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/icas/