There is great excitement in the Spectrum office this morning because we are delighted to announce that Managing Director, Sara Speirs last night won the ‘IoD Director of the Year Award’.

The Institute of Directors Scotland Annual Awards Dinner in Glasgow’s Crown Plaza Hotel certainly was  a glittering occasion, and with Sara nominated as a finalist in two categories, it certainly was a night full of anticipation.

The first of Sara’s categories was ‘Female Director of the Year’ and Sara was quick to acknowledge the strength of the competition, and indeed the eventual winner, Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer, Young Scot, a very worthy winner.  Sara’s second category was the highest award available to her on the night, ‘Director of the Year,’ this year being presented for businesses up to £15 million turnover and separately for businesses over £15 million turnover.

All five finalists in Sara’s category would be welcome additions to any boardroom; Rory Cameron of Corbis Group, Ken Dalgliesh of Aspen People Ltd, Jim Duffy of Entrepreneurial Spark, and Jennifer Paice of SafeDeposits Scotland – any one of them would have been worthy and popular winners. However, Sara was perhaps the most surprised and happiest person in the room when Deputy First Minister, John Swinney announced the winner – Sara Speirs.

Naturally delighted with the award, Sara was her usual magnanimous self when she said, “I’m shocked but delighted to win this major award, I really didn’t expect my name to be announced when I saw the quality of the other finalists.  It may be my name of the trophy, but it really is acknowledgement for all of the hard work of all of the team at Spectrum, I’m delighted to accept the award for them”.

In the office the message was slightly different, Sheena McCann, Help desk & Operations Manager spoke for the team when she said, “We are delighted for Sara, no one deserves it more than her.  The award is recognition for the hard work, vision and leadership she displays every single day, we are all extremely proud of her”.

Spectrum has gone from strength to strength in recent years; major contracts for the Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup Matches, the Scottish Open Championship, and the Kiltwalk amply demonstrate Sara’s vision when developing the Events division of the business.  However, it’s the continued growth of the core contract cleaning and facilities management business during extremely challenging times that explains why the judges named Sara as the winner.