Sponsor of the Lifetime Achievement Award category

Diageo has enjoyed a very positive and fruitful relationship with Scottish Politician of the Year since 2004. With each successive year the event has grown in influence and prestige and we are delighted to continue to play a part in one of the most significant events in the calendar.

In Scotland, there has always been an opportunity for business and government to work closely together and we have found that this event is a catalyst to inspire and encourage that important coming together of people and ideas. Business people and politicians have the opportunity to meet in an engaging environment and celebrate political achievement together.

This year, Diageo is pleased to sponsor the Lifetime Achievement Award. With previous winners including Donald Dewar, Robin Cook and Tam Dalyell, we are delighted to show our support for such an important sense of legacy in Scottish politics.

Sponsor of the Donald Dewar Debater of the Year Award

eaga is a leading Green Support Services sector and FTSE 250 company.

It delivers solutions to environmental, energy efficiency and social inclusion challenges and works with governments, local authorities, social housing providers and utility companies.

eaga’s activities are designed to lower carbon emissions and advance social and environmental justice by combating fuel poverty, improving living conditions and reducing energy consumption.

Since inception in 1990, eaga has delivered energy efficiency measures into more than 5 million homes and lifted several million people out of fuel poverty.

Today eaga visits more than 1,000 homes every working day to improve their insulation or install new energy efficient heating systems.

On average, eaga’s energy efficiency activities will reduce annual C02 emissions from a typical family home by up to a tonne.

Headquartered in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, eaga has more than 3,500 employees spread around the UK, Ireland, Canada and India.

As a former employee-owned organisation, eaga has taken its Partnership approach into the plc environment. All employees are Partners. Indeed, at the time of flotation more than 51% of the company remained in employee ownership. The eaga Partnership Trust (ePT) continues to be the largest shareholder in eaga with a holding of over 37% held in trust for all Partners.

Sponsor of the International Scot of the Year Award

Keppie have been in the business of architecture and design for more than 150 years, and throughout this time the practice has always adopted an international outlook. Charles Rennie Mackintosh established Keppie's international credentials during his working life, in time becoming one of the best-known architects in the world. Today Keppie continue to build on this legacy.

In the last 12 months Keppie has won worldwide acclaim for the design of Scottish Natural Heritage Headquarters in Inverness. Voted Britain's most sustainable building as well as best workplace in the UK, Great Glen House regularly attracts designers and architects from around the world.

Keppie are also recognised internationally as leaders in the design of hospital and medical facilities. Earlier this year, the practice hosted over 300 delegates at the Design & Health World Congress in Glasgow, and design teams are currently working on the world-class 800-bed hospital under construction at Forth Valley.

In the education sector, the company has designed nearly 50 schools in the last 10 years. Stretching from Portree on the Isle of Skye to Ealing in London, these new facilities are providing first class facilities for the education of our future generations. Other projects include the 1 million sq ft office development at EuroCentral Business Park outside Glasgow and major regeneration projects at Ravenscraig and in Guernsey on the Channel Islands.

The practice is now involved in initiatives that will take this skill, talent and expertise to new markets abroad, so Keppie welcome the opportunity to partner with the Herald in sponsoring the International Scot of the Year. The creativity of Scottish people is recognised around the globe, and we are delighted to play a part in rewarding this talent.

Sponsor of the One to Watch category

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. Microsoft Scotland’s Edinburgh based office opened in 1994 and has grown from one person to a 60-strong team, which is now focused across the full spectrum of Scottish customers and Business Partners, from Government and big business to the SME sector.

Raymond O’Hare is currently Director for Microsoft in Scotland and is committed to making a difference in the Scottish software business community and actively works with government and industry influencer groups to strengthen Scotland’s competitiveness and encourage sustainable economic prosperity.

Raymond is also committed to ensuring Microsoft takes a positive and active approach to citizenship in Scotland, both within the IT community and even more importantly, in the wider Business & Cultural communities of Scotland.

Microsoft Scotland is thrilled to be involved as a first time sponsor in the The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2007, a landmark event in the Scottish political calendar. We are presenting the One to Watch category which we anticipate to be a fiercely contested award and very much look forward to celebrating the achievements and excellence of politicians in the Scottish Parliament.

Sponsor of the Public Campaign
or Campaigner of the Year

Ukio Bankas is delighted to sponsor The Public Campaigner of the Year award at this year’s ceremony. Ukio Bankas has always strived to put its customers first, and we support those members of the public that play a key role in Scotland’s diverse community.

Headquartered in Kaunas, Lithuania, Ukio Bankas has been in operation since the Country gained independence in 1989. It operates with 50 client service units and also has representative offices in the Ukraine (Kiev), Russia (Moscow) and Kazakhstan (Almaty). Ukio Bankas will be opening a branch in Scotland in the near future to establish ourselves in Scotland’s thriving financial community.