There is just one month to go to nominate the businesses, educational institutions and charities who have gone beyond the call of duty to make Glasgow a success.

This year’s Inspiring City Awards are organised by The Herald and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce in association with People Make Glasgow to celebrate the best achievements.

Councillor Frank McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council and chairman of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “The Inspiring City Awards are a fantastic platform in which to recognise our city’s pioneers and innovators.

“Our People Make Glasgow award provides us with the opportunity to recognise and reward the deserving individuals or businesses who have gone above and beyond to support Glasgow’s economic and cultural climates.

This year’s event on September 8 will include 13 categories highlighting success in sport, environment, industry, culture and education.

AHR Architects are sponsoring the arts and culture award and director Richard Blair said: “Glasgow has an ever growing profile in arts and culture and we are proud to be supporting those involved in creating this reputation through the awards.”

The Industry & Young Innovation Award will be supported by Developing the Young Workforce Glasgow.

Alison McRae, senior director at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said they had been inspired by the enthusiasm from the business community to support youth employment since the launch, two years ago, of the programme to better prepare children for the world of work.

She said: “From engaging with a school to recruiting an apprentice, businesses across Glasgow have heard our call to action and responded.

“This category gives us the opportunity to recognise the innovation which industry has shown and showcase the positive impact it can have on both groups of, and individual young people.

“We are hoping to attract a good number of entrants who can in turn inspire more businesses to become involved in the creating bright futures for our young people.

Colin Hartley, director of Glasgow 2018 European Championships, which is supporting the sport award, said: “Glasgow is a sporting city like no other.

“In 2018 we will welcome some of the world’s finest athletes for the inaugural European Championships, which promises to be a new highlight on the global sporting calendar. The event marks the next step on our proud sporting journey.

“But before then, the Inspiring City Awards will celebrate all that is good about our great city and we are delighted to be supporting the sport category. Sport is at the heart of everything we do and that will be in evidence at these prestigious awards.”

Hacking and Paterson Management Services is supporting the legacy award. Director David Doran said: “We are proud of our Glasgow heritage and are delighted at the opportunity to become involved in supporting these great awards.

“Investing in the people of Glasgow is paramount to the growth and prosperity of local businesses and the success of the City itself.

“We believe those dedicated to long term investment and betterment of Glasgow deserve to be recognised and we are looking for strong, dedicated and dynamic entrants to the legacy award who have, through innovation, created lasting change within their industry for the betterment of Glasgow city and its people.”

 

Glasgow Caledonian University is supporting the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Award.

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.”

 

John M Watson OBE, of The Watson Foundation, said: “The category of Outstanding Contribution by a Young Business Leader will recognise the brightest and best young talent in our city based on their vision, hard work and commitment.

“Glasgow is brimming with young business leaders who make a fantastic contribution to this city. Their inspirational drive and ideas will ensure this is a keenly-contested category which showcases young entrepreneurship at its best.”

 

Virgin Trains is supporting the Environmental Award.

Anna Doran, Virgin Trains General Manager for Anglo-Scottish services on the West Coast, said: “At Virgin Trains the environment is high on our agenda and we’re looking forward to hearing what businesses in Glasgow have done to champion change and lead the way in moving towards a low-carbon economy.”

 

Glasgow Taxis is supporting the Education Award.

Stephen Flynn, Vice Chairman of Glasgow Taxis Ltd, said: “The city’s education sector is one which the executive committee, staff, members and drivers of Glasgow Taxis Ltd hold dear to their hearts.

“From taking youngsters to school in the morning and transporting students around the city at night to our ongoing support for the Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund’s annual trip to Troon for children with special educational needs, education is a huge part of the service we provide around the clock day in, day out.

“That gives us a unique insight into Glasgow’s nurseries, schools, colleges and universities and we know that behind the doors of all of these there are individuals – or indeed the institution itself – doing amazing things to support the young people in our wonderful city.

“I’d encourage every Glaswegian to consider who those people or institutions are, nominate them for this award and allow their stories to be told to a wider audience including at this year’s Inspiring City Awards. Good luck to all involved.”

 

Loretto Care part of Wheatley Group is supporting the Carer of the Tear Award.

Chairman James Muir said: “Loretto Care, part of Wheatley Group, is proud to support the carer of the year category at this year’s Inspiring City awards. As one of Scotland’s leading care organisations, we know how many care staff there are in Glasgow who go the extra mile, every day, to help people who need extra support in life.

“And there are many more people, in communities across the city, who dedicate their lives to caring for a relative or friend.

“These carers are a lifeline that can make a significant difference to people’s quality of life and they play a huge part in making this city special.

“We are pleased to be part of an initiative that publicly acknowledges the great work being done by carers, much of it unseen, and being part of a celebration that gives people the recognition they richly deserve.”

 

AmiExecutive is supporting the category which will recognise an Outstanding Contribution by a Business Leader.

In a starement, the company said: “As previous winners of the award for Outstanding Contribution by a Young Business Leader, we particularly loved the fact that this award was based on so many factors.

“Also to hear that you are making a contribution to your City is just the best feeling ever – and I am really looking forward to being involved in re-creating that feeling for another business on the night.

“So many times success in business is defined by profits, turnover and expansion. Don’t get me wrong, these are all very important and crucial factors to a business – but to be recognised for your contribution as a whole to the wider economy and the growth and success of a City as fantastic as Glasgow, is such a huge honour that it can’t be understated.

“I wish all entrants in this category the very best of luck and want to say a massive congratulations to everyone who gets shortlisted. Just to be recognised is an amazing achievement.”

“For anyone looking at this category and thinking – that’s not for me, I’ve not done enough and don’t feel ready to go for such a high accolade. I felt the exact same last year and look what happened.

“Please submit an entry, please get involved and most of all please keep making those outstanding contributions every day because it’s people like you that make the city what it is.”

Entry is free and all nominations can be made online.