Young Alness Man Wins Business Award

Issued on behalf of The Prince’s Scottish  Youth Business Trust

Ross-shire young entrepreneur David Skea (20) has won the Highland final of the 2006 Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) and Royal Bank of Scotland Business Awards.

David from Alness started his business in 2004 marketing diver-caught shellfish.  The shellfish is sold live to markets in London, Spain and Singapore and is renowned for its high quality.  In addition to David’s own catch, the business currently buys from divers based at various locations around Scotland.  The business has already outgrown its current premises and is acquiring purpose-built premises for storage and processing if the catch.

During an awards ceremony in Inverness David was presented with a cheque for £600 from The Royal Bank of Scotland’s Business Banking Manager, Alan Maddock and will now compete for the chance to represent the Highlands at the national awards in Glasgow.

Runners up were John Lavelle and Lawrence Hughes of North West Outdoors in Ullapool who combine the sale of a wide range of outdoor equipment and clothing with a thriving coffee shop. They received a runners-up prize of £300.

Alan Maddock said: "The finalists have put a lot of hard work and plenty of time and commitment into their businesses and they are very deserving award winners. Establishing a new business is almost always difficult and this is especially true for young people. The Royal Bank knows that young entrepreneurs need all the help and encouragement they can get and awards such as these go a long way towards providing that."

PSYBT Highlands and Islands Regional Vice Chairman, Hamish Campbell said: "These two young businesses are an excellent example of what can be achieved through determination, hard work and enthusiasm. I am delighted that the PSYBT was able to assist them with their ventures and I wish them every success for the future."

The PSYBT was launched by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, in 1989. During the past 17 years, PSYBT has helped well over 9,000 young people start up almost 7,700 businesses, a total investment of over £27 million. The aim of the PSYBT is to provide seedcorn finance and professional support to 18-25 year olds, whoever they are and wherever they come from, so that they can set up and run their own businesses.