Contributions to civic life celebrated at Lord Provost's Awards Dinner

Published: 30 May 2019

Individuals and organisations representing business, academia, charity, sport and the performing arts were honoured for their contribution to civic life by Glasgow's First Citizen.

Lord Provost Eva Bolander presented 11 Lord Provost Awards at a glittering awards dinner held in the City Chambers on Friday 31 May. Entertainment was provided by Piper, David Wotherspoon and Arta String Quartet.

The awards honour men and women who have dedicated their professional lives to public service, worked selflessly for their communities or distinguished themselves in business, the arts, sport or entertainment.

Past recipients include Baroness Michelle Mone, singer and songwriter Frankie Miller and actor Robbie Coltrane.

Lord Provost's Business Awards

In the business category a Lord Provost's Award went to the University of Strathclyde's Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC Building). In recognition of the transformative way it has encouraged innovation and collaboration across academia, business and industry. Including helping develop Glasgow City Innovation District.

Mr Adrian Gillespie, the University of Strathclyde's Chief Commercial Officer, accepted the award.  He said: "We're delighted to receive the Lord Provost's Award for Business & Enterprise. This award recognises the contribution the University of Strathclyde's Technology & Innovation Centre, which sits at the heart of Glasgow City Innovation District, has made to research, development and economic growth in Glasgow." 

Street and Arrow, a charity and social enterprise that supports people with criminal convictions into work, was also recognised with a Lord Provost's Award for its contribution to business. It runs a community café at Glasgow Dental School and a mobile food truck in the city's west end. Its aim, to work with partners, to improve the long- term employment prospects of people with convictions and break their cycle of offending.  

Mr Stevie Mackin, Operations Manager, accepted the award. Mr Mackin said: "The team at Street & Arrow are hugely honoured. We've had such wonderful support from the people of Glasgow. It takes a city working together to change the lives of those in our most deprived areas. Glasgow has shown this is possible. By giving people second chances it has offered our trainees more than just a job. It has given them hope and opportunity. Thank you to the Lord Provost and the city of Glasgow for proving together we can make a difference."

Lord Provost's Charity Award

The city's Third Citizen, Deacon Convener Tom McInally was presented with the Lord Provost's Award for charity for the Trades House and its fourteen Incorporated Crafts.

It honours the trades' long and proud history of supporting the people of Glasgow. Offering direct grants to needy organisations and individuals; as well as supporting various social and educational projects, on occasion, with financial assistance. Last year the Trades House awarded more than £750,000 to deserving causes and individuals across the city.

The Deacon Convener said: "I'm delighted and honoured to accept the Lord Provost's Award for charity on behalf of the 14 Incorporated Crafts that constitute the Trades House of Glasgow.

"The Trades House was formed in 1605 and has represented the skilled tradesmen and women that helped to build and develop the city over the past 414 years. Initially providing the rules and regulations that governed the quality of workmanship and looked after the interest of members and their dependants. The Trades House and its 14 historic Incorporations now operate primarily as registered charities helping individuals and community groups.

"I'm extremely proud of our legacy of charitable work.  We're focused primarily on supporting education and helping our young people achieve their potential. Next week we launch our Educational Festival at the Trades Hall in Glassford Street when we'll celebrate the activities of primary schools pupils and the craftsmanship of secondary school students. I thank the Lord Provost and the city for this honour and pledge that Trades House and its 14 historic crafts will continue to support this great city and its citizens."

Lord Provost's Community Awards

Glasgow's Recovery Communities and Mrs Nancy Humphries were all recognised for their services to the community.

Glasgow Recovery Communities represents three local areas: South Community Recovery Network (SCRN), North West Recovery Communities (NWRC) and North East Recovery Community (NERC).

It's a charity that helps people recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. Part of its success is due to its programme being run and developed by volunteers with personal experience of addiction. Many of whom, go on to attain recognised industry qualifications and secure related employment. Work that helps others in the community - creating a virtuous cycle.

Anna Campbell, who was helped by the charity, and is now a lead volunteer said: "It's great the Lord Provost has recognised what we do in the Recovery Communities. Out of all the good and bad choices I made, recovery has made me the happiest. This project helped me because I was talking to people with lived experience of addiction."  

Mrs Humphries (81) from Bridgeton Lord Provost's Award is in appreciation of her outstanding voluntary work across North and East Glasgow.

Nancy has spent more than 20 years volunteering in her local area. Principally helping families battling addictions. She is currently chair of the East Community Addiction Forum having served as a member for more than 15 years.

Nancy is also heavily involved in assisting her local church and community foodbank and was among Glasgow's first trained Alcohol & Drug Community Engagers.

Nancy, said: "I was shocked to hear I was getting an award. Drugs and alcohol have a terrible impact on communities. It would make you cry, but there are a lot of services out there to help people. I love my voluntary work and the people I meet - it's what keeps me going. It has kept me active and mobile. If I didn't do it, I wouldn't last long."

Lord Provost's Education Awards

Scientist, Professor Paul Garside from the University of Glasgow and Mr Alan Sherry, Glasgow Kelvin College's outgoing Principal, each received Lord Provost's Awards for their contributions to education.

Professor Garside has worked in Higher Education in the city at the Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow. A world expert in immunology as well as a leading research scientist, he formed part of the research team that successfully brought the Rheumatoid Arthritis Centre Excellence (RACE) to the city.

Professor Garside also spent six months living and working in Kenya and Malawi fostering opportunities for scientific collaboration with Glasgow researchers. That led to the establishment of an internationally accredited laboratory in Blantyre in Malawi following approval of £1 million funding from the Scottish Government's International Development Fund. That research continuing Scotland's long relationship with Malawi, dating back to explorer David Livingstone.

Currently The University of Glasgow's Dean for Global Engagement (Africa and Middle East). He continues to teach undergraduates immunology subjects. In addition, he is an enthusiastic STEM Ambassador delivering his 'Be a Scientist' talk to school children and encouraging them to consider a career in science. Keen to demonstrate how a combination of curiosity, ambition and hard work can pay off.

Born and educated in Liverpool, attending Hillside Community School in Egerton, Skelmersdale. He was a voracious reader and inspired by his parents and teachers to pursue a career in science.

Throughout, he has guided and supervised many PhD students. Many successful research scientists working across the world.

Prof Garside said: "I'm delighted and honoured to accept this recognition from my adopted city- particularly in my 30th year in Glasgow. I have been very lucky to have an extremely rewarding career greatly enriched by colleagues and students from all over the world. I believe more strongly than ever in the importance of education."

Mr Sherry is a founder of the former John Wheatley College in the city's East End and oversaw its merger with Stow College and North Glasgow College to create Glasgow Kelvin College back in 2013. 

His 36-year career has been devoted to improving and creating community learning and development opportunities as well as to modernising Further Education in the city.

Under his stewardship, Glasgow Kelvin College has flourished, consistently focusing its resources and expertise in the areas and communities where need is greatest. Striving for excellence for all its learners.

Mr Sherry will step down as Principal of Glasgow Kelvin College in July when he takes retirement.

He said:  "I'm truly honoured to receive this Lord Provost's Award. It recognises the success and hard work of everyone at Glasgow Kelvin College. I accept it on their behalf.  Our learners - past, present and future - sit at the heart of all we do in the sector and I hope to see that continue. 

"Working in this great city has been incredibly fulfilling and I have enjoyed making my contribution to the fundamental and positive changes in the communities of North East Glasgow over the years."

Lord Provost's Human Rights Award

The Lord Provost's Award for Human Rights was presented to Mr Sabir Zazai, Chief Executive of the Scottish Refugee Council. A leading human rights campaigner who arrived in Coventry in 1999 as an asylum seeker, fleeing conflict in Afghanistan. Subsequently becoming involved in his local community assisting other asylum seekers and refugees.

His personal experiences inform his inspirational work at the SRC. The city is proud to be a friend of the Scottish Refugee Council and to work in partnership with it.

Mr Zazai moved to Glasgow in 2017 to take up his post. He said: "It's a great honour and privilege to be honoured at this level in a city that has proudly welcomed asylum seekers and refugees, escaping conflicts across the world, for more than 20 years.

"I'm glad to have this opportunity to accept this award on behalf of everyone at the Scottish Refugee Council and everyone in this city and beyond, who has made it their business to welcome refugees and asylum seekers.

This is a city I'm proud to call home. It's a privilege to be involved in safeguarding human rights. There's such a strong appetite for social justice in this great city. It's a sanctuary for those choosing to live, work or study here."

Lord Provost's Performing Arts Award

The performing arts is also recognised with a Lord Provost's Award. Mr Roddy MacLeod MBE received the honour for services to piping. Leading the team at the National Piping Centre with passion and pride since it opened back in 1996. He has also recently overseen the merger of the National Piping Centre and the College of Piping.

Mr MacLeod's mission has always been to promote the music and study of the Great Highland Bagpipe. He's been at the forefront of shaping the future of piping, its music and its players.

He launched the annual Junior Piping Competition- now in its 23^rd year. Testament to its success, former National Piping Centre pupil and former winner of the junior competition Finlay Johnston, was last year crowned the world's top solo piper. He's also a teacher at the National Piping Centre.  

Mr MacLeod's commitment to developing piping continues with a schools' programme offering pupils free drumming and piping lessons. In addition he is Festival Director of Piping Live. A well-loved festival that generates more than £2 m for the local economy.

Mr MacLeod said: "It came as an unexpected and pleasant surprise to hear that I was being presented with a Lord Provost's Award for my contribution to the performing arts in Glasgow. 

"This is such a vibrant musical city with UNESCO status. It's so rewarding to know this award recognises and celebrates the Highland Bagpipe and traditional music.

"Throughout my work at The National Piping Centre, organising Piping Live and my other activities, I've had the fortune to have had the support of a great family, colleagues and friends. Without whom none of this success would have been possible."

Lord Provost's Lifetime Contribution to the City Award

The recipient of the Lord Provost's Award in recognition of a lifetime contribution to the city, is the proprietor of the city's Amber Regent Restaurant, Mr Andy Chung. His inspirational rags to riches story begins back in 1969 when he arrived in Glasgow from Hong Kong with just £10 to his name.

Now, settled here for more than 50 years, Mr Chung is a well-known businessman, and widely respected for his contribution across the city's business and economic sectors.

His hard work and determination enabled him to build up a string of Chinese restaurants, including the iconic Amber Regent. His acute business acumen also led him to launch Scotland's first home delivery service.

Semi-retired, Mr Chung's two daughters have taken over his flourishing business. Allowing him to concentrate on voluntary work supporting various community activities including establishing the Chinese Cultural Welfare Association and the Glasgow Chinese Recreation Association.

His benevolence also extends to personally providing meals for homeless people - primarily through Lodging House Mission - where he volunteers alongside other staff and volunteers.

In addition, this much-respected, adopted Glaswegian, has sought to extend understanding and integration of the Chinese community. Mr Chung, has been instrumental in staging the colourful and exciting Chinese New Year celebrations in George Square for the past four years.

Mr Chung said: "It's an honour and a pleasure to receive this Lord Provost Award in recognition of my lifetime contribution to this great city. It's also a tremendous encouragement for me to continue my support for the community.

The past 40 or so years, I've been in Glasgow have been fantastic. This vibrant city is where I established my restaurant and where I've become involved in various sectors of business with success.  This success I attribute to the well-being of this great city.

"I am a huge believer in giving back and helping out in the community.  I'm proud to be providing meals for the homeless and to have helped establish the Chinese Cultural and Welfare Society Scotland to help promote Chinese culture and bring the Scottish and Chinese communities together and will continue my efforts."

Lord Provost's Sport Award

Scotland's star athlete and Diamond League Champion, Laura Muir, received a Lord Provost's Award for Sport. World number one over 1500m, as well as European and British record holder, Laura currently has her sights on a gold at the Athletics World Championships in Doha.

She discovered her talent for running while studying to become a vet at the University of Glasgow. Successfully graduating, with breaks for competitions, last year. 

Laura was crowned Scotland's Athlete of the Year in 2016 and received the Young Scot Sport Award in 2017. She made her international debut in the 2011 European Cross-Country Championships, as part of the Great Britain junior women's team that lifted gold.

She retained her two indoor European International Championship titles competing on home soil here at the Emirates in front of sell-out crowds.

Laura said: "It's a real honour to receive this award from the Lord Provost on behalf of the people of Glasgow. A city where my sporting career has gone from strength to strength and which hosted the European Championships - one of the most  memorable moments of my career. Memories that will last a life time.

Laura made a brief appearance prior to the dinner to meet the Lord Provost. She'd just arrived in the city from her 1500m win in Stockholm.

Laura said: "My apologies for not joining you for the dinner. I hope you all had a lovely time. I send my congratulations to all the other award winners."

Laura's coach Andy Young accepted the award on her behalf.

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal of the University of Glasgow, said: "Both personally and on behalf of the University of Glasgow I would like to offer my warm congratulations to Paul and Laura on their prestigious awards.