Picture Copyright Chris Watt Tel -  07887 554 193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.comIt has been announced that Edinburgh based Appointedd has been shortlisted in two categories for the 2017 Royal Bank of Scotland Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

The categories are: Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year and Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year.

Appointedd beat off some tough competition in order to make the regional shortlist, with over 1000 businesses entering the awards nationally across the wide range of categories.

Now in its fifth year, the Royal Bank of Scotland Great British Entrepreneur Awards has celebrated some amazing entrepreneurs over the years, many of whom are now household names. Past winners include David Buttress of Just Eat, Julie Deane of The Cambridge Satchel Company, James Watt of BrewDog and Alexander Solomou of TheLADBible Group.

Appointedd’s founder and CEO, Leah Hutcheon, said: “This is fantastic for Appointedd to be recognised by the Scottish business community in not one but two award categories. Being shortlisted recognises the whole team who have been working so hard to grow our organisation and we are extremely proud of our technology which, as the only multi-timezone online booking platform, is revolutionising the way international business is done.”

Creator of the Awards, Francesca James, said: “We have been inundated with some incredible entries this year, and all shortlisted applicants should be extremely proud of themselves! This year has seen a record number of entrants and we’ve been absolutely blown away by the strength and diversity of applications.”

“We cannot wait to celebrate entrepreneurship across Great Britain with them, and put a spotlight on the incredible talent within the British entrepreneur ecosystem.”

Gordon Merrylees, Head of Entrepreneurship at Royal Bank of Scotland said: “I want to thank all of the entrepreneurs who entered this year and congratulate those who have been shortlisted, I look forward to seeing them at the regional finals.”

“It is clear that entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and Royal Bank of Scotland is thrilled to be able to support these awards to celebrate success with the businesses that are the lifeblood of the UK Economy as they start, scale and succeed.”

The Royal Bank of Scotland Great British Entrepreneur Awards will celebrate entrepreneurship across a number of categories at 5 gala finals across the UK, including; Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester & London. You can find more information about the awards and the ceremonies here: www.greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com.

Edinburgh RBS Kiltwalk 2017 (8)On Sunday, around 3,000 people took to the streets of Edinburgh for this year’s final Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk to raise funds for walkers’ chosen charities.

Sir Tom Hunter, the man with the vision to turn the Kiltwalk into Scotland’s biggest mass participation event for charity, praised Edinburgh Kiltwalkers for their commitment to good causes across Scotland.

Sir Tom said: “I am overwhelmed by the energy and enthusiasm displayed by each and every person who took part in the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk. Their dedication and determination to raise funds for charities big and small is admirable. The atmosphere in BT Murrayfield and on the route today was nothing short of extraordinary.”

Thanks to the generous 40% fundraising boost pledged by Sir Tom and the Hunter Foundation, charities will receive a 140% return for every penny raised by walkers. Whilst Platinum Sponsor Arnold Clark has donated a brand new Renault Clio at each event this year, meaning one of the lucky 3,000 Kiltwalkers will win a new set of wheels.

Sir Tom was at each of the starts to cheer on Kiltwalkers as they set off. Leading out Edinburgh’s Mighty Stride was 51-year-old Lynne McKenzie from Elgin who was walking for charity CHAS.
Whilst leading the way for the Big Stroll was 45-year-old Julie Whyte from Dunfermline who was joined by her 11-year-old daughter Abigail who was diagnosed with arthritis when she was just four. They were walking for the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and Scottish Network for Arthritis in Children (SNAC).

Julie said: “I am so proud that Abigail and I led out the Big Stroll today. She has attended the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People for treatment every four weeks since she was diagnosed and they have shown her so much support over the years. Abigail saw the Kiltwalk was coming to Edinburgh and she wanted to take part and give something back.”

Finally, leading the way for the Wee Wander was mother and daughter, 33-year-old Jeannette Smith and nine-year-old Lucy Abbeels from Edinburgh. They were fundraising for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland as Lucy was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Also joining them was ENABLE Scotland’s patron and sport TV anchor Hazel Irvine.

Walkers set off from BT Murrayfield at 9am to complete the 26-mile Mighty Stride, going via Leith and taking in iconic landmarks such as Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park. The 12-mile Big Stroll set off from BT Murrayfield at 11am while the five-mile Wee Wander set off from Gypsy Brae Recreational Ground at 1pm. All routes finished at the Kiltwalk Village at BT Murrayfield where walkers enjoyed entertainment from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Malcolm Buchanan, chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Scottish board, said: “We are humbled and inspired by everyone uniting together to walk the Kiltwalk. The Royal Bank of Scotland is a proud partner and we want to say a huge well done to everyone who took part today.”

With more than £1.3 million already distributed to charitable causes from the Glasgow Kiltwalk alone, the total raised across the 2017 Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalks will increase after the fourth and final event held today.

More than 700 charitable organisations are set to benefit as the Kiltwalk is now open to every charity. Funds raised by those who choose to walk for the Kiltwalk itself are distributed through the STV Children’s Appeal as the official grant making partner.

Volunteers also got in on the fundraising action, as for every hour of time they donated, Sir Tom Hunter and the Hunter Foundation will gift £1.10 to each Kiltie’s chosen charity.

To find out more about the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk