The public voting stage of the 2016 Icon Awards closed this week with over 20,000 votes cast in support of some of Scotland’s most influential and inspiring groups, companies and individuals. Now in its second year, the Icon Awards aim to promote all those that have worked tirelessly in the name of greater inclusion in Scottish communities and workforces. All nominated entries in this year’s awards were presented to the select committee who have overseen all aspects of this year’s unique awards and will chose eventual winners ahead of the awards’ Gala Final on October 23rd.
This year’s finalists reflect the Icon Awards changing ambition to be thoroughly inclusive and become Scotland’s premiere diversity event. There was a strong support amongst public voters for gender equality and gender equality initiatives such as the Glasgow Women’s Library and the Edinburgh based charity Zero Tolerance which campaigns against female aimed domestic violence. We are delighted that women are also strong within the ‘Icon’ categories, featuring heavily in both the Political Icon of The Year and Cultural Icon of the Year categories. The public nominations of both the Scottish Police Muslim Association, along with the Glasgow Mela festival makes these awards one of the most diverse in the country and we couldn’t be prouder.
Scott Barclay, chair of the Icon Awards, said on the judging and decision of finalists “I am thrilled to present an inspirational group of candidates that have truly championed diversity in Scotland. The committee deliberated long and hard on finalising the ultimate shortlist from all the fantastic people and organisations who were nominated this year and I couldn’t be happier with our final nominees. My board and I wish everyone the very best of luck.”
All finalists will now be required to submit further evidence to the Icon Awards committee for consideration ahead of the Gala Final, to be held at The Hilton Hotel. Last year’s inaugural event gained international coverage and exposure for the winners, and this year looks set to be just as monumental for the incredibly worthy finalists and winners. Finalists will be regaled by ‘the one and only’ Chesney Hawkes and his band, as well as Glasgow based samba band Samba Ya Bamba and Vangelis Polydorou of BBC1’s The Voice.
Full List of The Icon Awards 2016 Finalists
Spirit Award
TIE Campaign
Susan Douglas-Scott
Lisa Charlwood-Green
Zero Tolerance, Edinburgh
Natalie Scott
Jan Irvine
Business Person of the Year
Paul Skovron – Clydesdale Bank
Scott McMillan – AXM
Mark Tittle – Sky
John Dickinson – Tesco Bank
Mick Jackson – Wildhearts
Venue of the Year
AXM, Glasgow
Habana Bar, Edinburgh
Glasgow Women’s Library, Glasgow
Spoon Cafe, Glasgow
CCA, Glasgow
Cheerz Bar, Aberdeen
Cringlettie House, Peebles
Boudoir Bar, Glasgow
RollerStop RollerRink, Glasgow
The Waterloo, Glasgow
Employer of the Year (Over 200 employees)
Barclays
Clydesdale Bank
Sky
Golden Jubilee Hospital
ASDA
Tesco
Employer of the Year (Under 200 employees)
Coach Tech Assist
Social Bite
The Underground
Abandon Ship Apparel
29 Studios
Boudoir Bar, Glasgow
Media Coverage of the Year
Pink Sixty News
Coming Oot! (BBC)
Hannah Rodgers
Kate Adair
Kaleidoscot
Political Icon
Angela Crawley MP
Hannah Bardell MP
Annie Wells MSP
Mhairi Black MP
Tara Morris
Derek Mackay MSP
Uniformed Icon
Lucy Ridgeway – Scottish Prison Service
National Trans Police Association
Scottish Police Muslim Association
Jane Christie-Flight – NHS
Alan Sneddon – Gay Police Association
Sporting Icon
LEAP Sports
Miss-Hits & Judy Murray
Gordon Reid
Glasgow Alpha’s Rugby Team
Saltire Thistle
Charity of the Year
Future Choices, Aberdeen
Unity Enterprise, Glasgow
Four Pillars, Aberdeen
LGBT Youth Scotland
Stonewall Scotland
Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland
Cash for Kids – Clyde One
Maryhill Integration Network, Glasgow
Cruse Bereavement
Alzheimers Scotland
Cultural Icon
Susan Calman
Jackie Kay
Annie Wallace
Val McDiarmid
Mark Vice
Wedding Industry Business of the Year
Pearl & Plum Photography, Glasgow
The Flowershop, Elderslie
Vogue Scotland, Glasgow
Asteria Bridal, Glasgow
Atholl Palace, Pitlochry
Beauty Industry Business of the Year
Rehab Beauty Parlour, Dundee
Peaches Wax Bar, Glasgow
Chris Johnstone, Motherwell
Terry Dunn, Motherwell
Academy of Make Up, Glasgow
Event of the Year
Homeless World Cup
Pride Glasgow
Edinburgh Pride
Pride House
Celebrate Aberdeen
Scottish Mental Health & Arts
Glasgow Mela
Brought Ferry Gala Week
Edinburgh Fringe
Merchant City Festival