Scotland Director of the Year Awards
Celebrating Scotland’s finest leadership talent
The IoD Director of the Year Awards celebrates the achievements of outstanding business leaders in our society. Hosted once a year, awards are given to those who excel in areas such as innovation, sustainability, equity, diversity and inclusion, and more.
Open to all – whether you’re an executive, non-executive, partner or even a chief constable – we want to hear about the work you’re doing as a senior decision-maker to help build a better world through business.
Nominations and applications
10 February - 27 April 2025
Select an option below to start your own application or to nominate someone else. The IoD will contact those nominated to inform them and guide them in making an application. The full category list can be found below.
Judging
May 2025
Our external, dedicated panel of volunteer judges will scrupulously review each application multiple times to determine each category’s Director of the Year, along with any highly commended applicants.
Awards ceremony
9 October 2025
The Scotland Director of the Year Awards ceremony will be held on 9 October 2025 at Crowne Plaza, Glasgow.
Start Up
This award recognises upcoming leaders who have demonstrated excellent entrepreneurial potential, ability, ambition, creativity and vision in new or established businesses who have operated at director level for less than three years. Sponsorship available
Public Sector
The public relies on good public services, which in turn rely on good leadership. This award is open to leaders of public services, including public agencies, national bodies and governmental departments. Sponsorship available
Third Sector
Leadership in the voluntary sector is critical to good governance, including planning, efficiency, transparency and accountability. This award is open to directors whose organisations are charities, community organisations or social enterprises that do not generate profit for individuals. Sponsorship available
Small Business
This award is designed to celebrate those directors working in a business that employs under 50 employees and has an annual turnover of less than £10 million. This award will go to the business that can show outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in enterprise, sustainability, as well as sound management practice, good corporate governance and commercial success. Sponsorship available
Medium/Large Business
This award is designed to celebrate those directors working in a medium or large business that has an annual turnover of more than £10 million and/or 50+ employees. Judges will look at how financial targets and KPIs have been met/exceeded, innovation, the vision for growth, sustainability, evidence of good corporate governance and the leader’s understanding of key challenges, customers and the changing business landscape. Sponsorship available
Non-Executive
This award recognises individuals that have made a significant contribution to the organisation’s strategy, impacted on the financial success of the company, demonstrated high ethical standards and promoted the practice of good corporate governance. Sponsorship available
Emerging
This award recognises upcoming leaders who have demonstrated excellent entrepreneurial potential, ability, ambition, creativity and vision in new or established businesses who have operated at director level for less than three years. Sponsorship available
Chair’s Award
This award is the highest accolade in the Director of the Year Awards, recognising the personal imprint of the UK’s most high-profile leaders on the culture and success of their organisations through outstanding professionalism and the implementation of best practice in governance and leadership. Winners will be selected by the IoD Scotland national chair. Sponsorship available
Operations
Successful organisations need strong operations people driving organisational objectives and supporting their delivery. This award is open to Operations Directors, Chief Operating Officers or equivalent across private, public and third sector organisations. Sponsorship available
Finance
Successful organisations need sound financial leadership. This award is open to Finance Directors, Chief Financial Officers or equivalent across private, public and third sector organisations. Sponsorship available
People and HR
Successful organisations need good people who feel part of that organisation. This award is open to People & HR Directors, Chief People & HR Officers or equivalent across private, public and third sector organisations. Sponsorship available
Sustainability and Innovation
Resilience, adaptability and innovative ideas are critical to the ongoing success of organisations. This award is open to Sustainability and/or Innovation Directors, Chief Sustainability and/or Innovation Officers or equivalent across private, public and third sector organisations. Sponsorship available
Sales and Marketing
Successful organisations rely on strong and effective marketing and sales. This award is open to Sales and/or Marketing Directors or equivalent across private, public and third sector organisations. Sponsorship available
Specialist
Successful organisations need good leaders providing clear direction and driving organisational objectives. This award is open to any specialist Director or equivalent not mentioned in the above category options across private, public and third sector organisations. Sponsorship available
Sponsorship enquiries
For all IoD Director of the Year sponsorship opportunities, please contact Catherine McWilliam.
FAQs
Here you’ll find many common questions about the Director of the Year Awards.
Do I have to be an IoD member to apply to the awards?
No, our awards are open to entry to both IoD members and non-members. The only exception is where a region awards a Chartered Director of the Year Award – only IoD members can be awarded this award.
I’m not a director, am I still able to apply?
Yes, so long as your role is one that makes decisions for a business at a senior level, then generally you can apply for our awards – please make sure to read the eligibility criteria for the category you’d like to apply for. Some categories are naturally aimed at non-directors i.e. Public and Third Sector, or Start-up & Young. Download eligibility criteria here.
Is there an entry fee?
No, our awards are completely free to enter, whether you apply to one category or to multiple categories.
Can I apply to multiple categories?
Yes you can, we encourage you to apply to all categories where you have exemplary achievements. However, you must only apply to one region i.e. if you work in both England and Wales, if you apply to IoD England then you are unable to apply to IoD Wales.
Can someone else fill in an application for me on my behalf?
Yes, it’s fine for someone else i.e. an assistant, to fill in an application on your behalf, but we would ask that they use first person to respond to questions and be clear who the nominee for the award is.
How are the awards judged?
Each region employs an impartial panel of judges – made up of previous awards winners, IoD Fellows and exceptional members of the business community – to judge all applications multiple times, once the application period has closed. Our judges follow a clear set of criteria to complete judging and finalists for each category are chosen based on the highest percentage of scorers.
Do I apply on behalf of my company?
Our Director of the Year Awards look to celebrate your personal achievements – while we recognise that many achievements are made through teamwork and the support of your colleagues and employees, we want to hear about your efforts in making it happen.
In your application you will be asked to list your company name and this information will be used in press releases; where you have ties to multiple companies, we recommend listing the name of the company which supports the evidence you give in your application best.
Why can't I apply for the 'Chair's Award for Excellence' category?
This award is the highest accolade in the Director of the Year Awards, recognising the personal imprint of the UK’s most high-profile leaders on the culture and success of their organisations through outstanding professionalism and the implementation of best practice in governance and leadership. Winners will be selected by our national or regional IoD Chair.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our team on [email protected].
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