Following success at the Scottish Social Enterprise Awards, the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust is a finalist in the UK Awards, recognising it as one of the country’s most innovative and impactful businesses.‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌

The Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust was formed following the community land buyout of the island of Gigha in 2002. Its main objective is to benefit the island residents by supporting the social and economical regeneration of the community.

These prestigious national awards are run by Social Enterprise UK to recognise sector-leading excellence and innovation across a diverse range of criteria, and the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust is shortlisted in the ‘UK Social Enterprise of the Year’ category.

Jane Millar, Senior Manager at the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust said: “It is a huge honour for the Trust to be shortlisted in the UK awards. We are aware of the amazing work many social enterprises do, so we were pleasantly surprised to have won the Scottish award. We are looking forward to the UK awards and hope to raise recognition of the impact of community land ownership.”

The Trust will attend a ceremony in London’s iconic Roundhouse on Wednesday 4 December to find out if they’ve won this highly sought-after award.
There are an estimated 131,000 social enterprises in the UK, employing more than two million people and contributing £60bn to the national economy each year, while also tackling some of the biggest challenges facing people and planet.

Peter‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌ Holbrook CBE, chief executive of Social Enterprise UK, commented: “Our Awards are the ultimate showcase of social enterprise impact and excellence – so those who made the shortlist represent the future of business, and a beacon of hope in turbulent times.

“‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌Despite economic challenges, these trailblazers are not only making profit but using it for the good of people and planet. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌Businesses big and small have a vital role to play in solving the problems we face as a society, and the social enterprises celebrated at our Awards give us all inspiration and motivation to do business better.” ‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌

Find out more about the UK Social Enterprise Awards at www.socialenterprise.org.uk

Image: IGHT Director, Fergus Christie, (3rd from the right) attended the Scottish Awards in Holyrood.