The daughter of Perthshire butcher Simon Howie has triumphed at the national undergraduate of the year awards.
Lynne Howie, 21, won the future business leader title at the annual contest, which drew about 3,500 entries from undergraduates studying at 140 different universities. These were whittled down to just 100 finalists.
Last year, Lynne, who is studying business economics and finance at Strathclyde Business School, was selected for a Saltire internship in Texas.
She went through several rounds of online tests, application forms, interviews and assessment exercises before being crowned the winner.
Her category was sponsored by food manufacturer Mars, which has offered her a summer internship as part of her prize.
“I am so pleased to have won,” she said.
“The room was buzzing with some of Britain’s brightest and best talents accompanied by some of the leading UK businesses.
“Mars sponsored my particular award and as a result I’m lucky enough to receive a paid internship and trip to Mars operations in Dubai.”
She said she had full support from her family and dissertation adviser Dr Rodolphe Desbordes throughout the “challenging” interviews process.
“The award was brought to be my attention by Strathclyde Careers Service back in November,” she said.
“The future business leader category caught my eye because I intend to channel my ambition and my BA business economics and finance degree into a business with a heart.
“When I saw the criteria for the award, I asked myself: What’s the difference between myself and the eventual winner? What characteristics do they have and, if I’m capable of developing them, why can’t that winner be me?
“This attitude drove me to complete the first application and the excitement of completing each stage built on my enthusiasm and determination to see it through.”
Dr Desbordes said: “Lynne is an excellent student and this award is a testament to the hard work and commitment she puts into everything she does. I’m sure we will continue to hear great things from her in the future.”