The Courier’s Impact 100 list for 2014 continues with positions 75-51. See Thursday’s paper as the countdown continues.
75. Alison Burns (New this year)Her Year: Following the life of a busy international jazz singer, often in the august company of her father-in-law and regular collaborator, jazz guitar great Martin Taylor, Dundee’s Alison Burns has had a particularly good year. At the Penang Island Jazz Festival in Malaysia she was awarded the Brand Laureate International Brand Personality Award by the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation, dubbed the Grammy awards for branding. Past recipients of the award include Nelson Mandela, Hillary Clinton, Aretha Franklin, the late Steve Jobs and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.
With a Christmas album now on release, she’s also been singing in her native city as one of a clutch of impressive female vocalists showcased at this year’s Dundee Jazz Festival.
Panel View: From being the first female apprentice engineer at Dundee’s Timex factory through a career with local bands (including the iconic Penny Dainties) and studies for a law degree, Alison has pursued her jazz dream and emerged as a major international force, with fans including Sir Michael Parkinson.74. Mark Beaumont (29)His Year: Perthshire-based adventurer who boldly goes where very few people have gone before, Mark Beaumont was the face of the Queen’s Baton Relay of the Commonwealth Games, following its progress across 63 countries and territories, over 120,000 miles by land and 2,500 by sea. Back in Glasgow at the start of the Games, he reported for the BBC and revealed that he tried a lot of the sports about to be showcased in Glasgow, including wrestling and judo. His comments about being thrown about “by a teenage girl” judo star Cynthia Rahming got his knuckles rapped for being sexist about women in sport. He continued his charity, motivational and educational work, including a cycling challenge for the STV Appeal and this year, the bike he rode for his TV documentary The Man Who Cycled the Americas went on show at the Glasgow’s Riverside Museum. He is patron of the ARCHIE Foundation to improve healthcare for children in the north of Scotland.
Panel View: Responsible for bringing the colour, atmosphere and energy of the human side of the Commonwealth Games to a worldwide audience, Mark Beaumont continually shows an ability to connect with people and to use his own strengths and skills to bring out the best in others.73. Alistair Phillips-Davies (3)His Year: Since taking over as chief executive of Perth-based SSE, Britain’s second-biggest energy provider and a FTSE 100 listed company, Alistair Phillips-Davies has had to contend with louder and louder calls for transparency in the world of domestic energy, in particular in the face of difficulties in rebuilding consumer trust. Prices have been frozen and he has made it his business to take the argument to the public and to the government. He appeared on Andrew Marr’s TV show to underline SSE’s commitment to affordability and clearly understandable fuel bills for the domestic customer while lobbying for action on green levies and fairer energy taxes to allow greater price flexibility. He hit the headlines early in the year for what was dubbed an “eye-watering” salary package but is keen to promote SSE as “part of the solution, not the problem.”
Panel View: It may not be the job with the highest public profile in the world but it’s one that brings Alistair Phillips-Davies into the lives of millions of customers in Scotland and beyond. He has actively pursued a policy of lobbying government and communicating more directly with customers to improve his company’s performance and responsibility to the public.72. Dr Stuart Schembri (new)His Year: A consultant chest physician, Dr Schembri is co-chief investigator of the Early Lung Cancer Detection Study at the University of Dundee Medical School. It is the world’s largest clinical research study looking into detecting early lung cancer, using a new blood test. Earlier this year, local woman Shirley Dolan volunteered a vial of blood for the study at the university’s Clinical Research Centre and tests discovered a tumour in her lung, early enough for action to save her life.
Panel View: This kind of research is what puts Dundee at the forefront of medical developments. The work of people like Stuart Schembri and his team is academically and technically top class but it’s the human face of this and the fact that it is seen to be practically successful that gives it true clout in the real world of medical advances.71. Michael Downes (new)His Year: Following some time in limbo, the Byre Theatre returned to its place on the cultural map of Scotland through a new role as part of St Andrews’ university and with a new artistic director, the university’s director of music Michael Downes. His is a three-year appointment to re-establish the Byre as an artistic and community force to be reckoned with, with a new programme of professional, community and student drama and offerings ranging from film and dance to opera and all genres of music. Michael Downes is also co-director of the prestigious St Andrews Voices Festival, now in its third year and under his direction, the St Andrews Chorus, a mix of town and gown participation, has become Scotland’s largest choral society.
Panel View: The loss of the Byre was a great shock to the cultural community in Fife and although there were doubts about the practicalities of it coming under the umbrella of the University of St Andrews, the appointment of Michael Downes seems to suggest that it will have a strong local identity as well as a high quality national profile to keep it in the Scottish artistic spotlight.70. Alan Cumming (30)His Year: Alan Cumming’s highest profile role this year was as an active member of the Yes campaign in the Scottish referendum vote. He campaigned regularly across the country and commented just before the polls opened: “There has never been anything so politically important to me.” 2014 also saw him reprise his award-winning role as the Emcee in the Broadway revival of Kander & Ebb’s Cabaret, opposite Michelle Williams and now Emma Stone. He produced a hard-hitting autobiography, Not My Father’s Son, about his troubled relationship with his father, a Perthshire forester.
Panel View: Alan Cumming is a high profile, articulate and thoughtful international star who has joint British/American citizenship and who nailed his colours firmly to the mast as a Yes supporter in 2014. He has never been afraid to speak his mind and to support Scottish culture and talent across the board.69. James Stephen (new)His Year: Twice in the last 12 months, thousands of car fans and vehicles from all over Scotland were drawn to Kirkcaldy’s Esplanade to join a tribute to American actor Paul Walker, star of The Fast and Furious film franchise, who ironically died in a high-speed road accident in California last year.
A social media campaign saw over two and a half thousand enthusiasts head to central Fife last December, creating a four-mile queue onto the Esplanade, with another major influx on October 18 this year. James Stephen of organisers N/A Nonsense Racing was at the forefront of the project. “We want to try and get away from the boy racer image. A lot of people came down to the Paul Walker event to see what it was all about and they saw that it passed off without any problems. Not a single person was charged with a driving offence that night.”
Panel View: Staging such major events so successfully, harnessing the power of social media and bringing many people into Kirkcaldy shows how this kind of event can get itself and its host town a good reputation both with locals and with many people who may never have visited the area before.68. Holly Elder (new)Her Year: Five-year-old brain tumour survivor Holly Elder touched hearts this year when she organised a fund-raising event in aid of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh. The Ladybank Primary pupil was born with a rare genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis Type One and, when she was three, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Holly’s mother, Vicky Donald, told The Courier that her little girl wanted to give all her Christmas presents to the hospital to say thank you for all the help she had had there. But the family talked her into planning a charity event instead which raised more than £1,000.
Panel View: A courageous wee girl and her family show that thinking of others is possible even when – or perhaps even because – you’re going through the toughest of times yourself. Holly’s bravery, selflessness and loving gesture would surely melt a heart of stone.67. Tony Banks (new)His Year: Falklands veteran, businessman and entrepreneur Tony Banks took a major part in the Scottish independence referendum campaign as chairman of Business for Scotland. Speaking in London and all across Scotland, the Balhousie Care Group founder made the business case for an independent Scotland and was one of the highest profile figures to do so.
Panel View: A proud Dundonian from a working class family, Tony Banks has strong views on the capabilities of the nation he comes from and a stronger belief in using the head as well as the heart in making such a decision. He was prepared to put his head above the parapet to support what he believes in and brought the business perspective into the ken of many who wanted practical answers to difficult commercial and financial questions.66. Drew Christie (new)His Year: Dundee man Drew Christie shot to success on home territory when he carried off Scotland’s first silver medal on the shooting range in the Commonwealth Games events at Barry Buddon in the men’s skeet. The former Angus Sports Personality of the Year was delighted to make it to the gold medal match after coming in fourth in Delhi in 2010.
Panel View: Exorcising the ghosts of his previous Commonwealth Games appearance, the ebullient Drew Christie is one of the most popular sportsmen in the area and did his nation and his home town proud with his efforts this year. Not bad for a man who was once banned from representing Scotland for a year after wearing a kilt to an official function!65. Elaine Harris (new)Her Year: A full-time freelance model from Dundee, Elaine didn’t start modelling until earlier this year at the age of 33. Nothing daunted, in April, the mum of a little girl made it through to the finals of Top Model UK out of an entry of over 4,000. She has now be asked to be on the interview panel for Top Model 2015. Her own career has grown and grown, with exposure not only in the UK but in photographic campaigns in Europe, Australia and America. She was selected for the catwalk at London Fashion Week; New Magazine and Prima are doing Christmas special features on her. Model Alliance in New York have also highlighted her and Fashion Couture Magazine in the US is the latest to write about what she calls her “crazy story!” that started after she did a bridal shoot to help out a local photographer friend.
Panel View: Elaine has broken all the rules to fashion an international career in modelling at an age when many in her field are retiring. Her fresh, down-to-earth approach has stood her in good stead and she has shown that it is possible to be outside the fashion “norm” and still be recognised as a face to be reckoned with.64. Rayyan Khan (new)His Year: The six-year-old from Dundee held audiences at the Festival of the Spoken Word spellbound with both his ability to recite poetry and to capture the attention of an audience during his public speaking address. A pupil at St Joseph’s Primary, Rayyan scored very highly to win both competitive sections and also scored so well in the storytelling section that, as overall winner, he was awarded The Courier Cup. His tutor, Liz Glenn, who is the principal of the charity Communication and Performance, called him “remarakable”.
Panel View: At an age when most young boys are still finding their voices, Rayyan Khan’s achievement is amazing in both ability and confidence. He is obviously going to be one to watch for the future, maybe as an actor or politician!63. Brian Cox (new)His Year: The Hollywood star gave hugely of his time and energy this year in support of the Yes campaign, visiting his home city, meeting activists, voters and the general public and “chapping doors” in an effort to rally support. He appeared regularly on TV political and panel shows and raised the profile of the campaign both within the UK and abroad. The two-time rector of Dundee University said at the time that in spite of having a great life and career, he felt strongly that this was what he was put here to do.
He was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the 20th Bradford International Film Festival. As part of the “day job”, he also managed to appear on TV in The Game and Shetland, in the West End in The Weir and film a new series of Bob Servant, another Dundee worthy with strong opinions!
Panel View: Brian Cox could quite easily just sign the cheques or send the best wishes, but he has taken a personal interest in his home city that goes beyond the cosmetic. He is a regular, active presence in the life of the city and during the referendum campaign, he was out and about. He puts himself out for Dundee and Scotland in the real world, not just the rarefied world of stage and film.62. STEPAL Madras campaigners (new)Their Year: The St Andrews Environmental Protection Association Ltd was established by three former teachers from Madras College to oppose Fife Council’s plan to build a new, £40 million single site college on green belt land at Pipeland Farm. Named directors are former rector Lindsay Matheson and former teachers Mary Jack and Sandra Thomson; STEPAL’s case is due to be heard in the Court of Session in Edinburgh from December 16-18. They are deeply concerned about the assessment of alternative sites, resulting in what they claim is the “wrong outcome” for St Andrews and the green belt. But there has been criticism from campaign group Parent Voice and from Fife Council re delays to construction of the new school.
Panel View: A judicial review decision might not emerge until well into next year which will delay the new Madras project further. Concerns re a potential flood risk have also led Fife Council to delay a decision on its own detailed planning application. This is a matter of highest importance to the future and education of many Fife children and it’s vital that the right research is done and the correct decisions made.61. Andrew Fairlie (56)His Year: The restaurant bearing his name has won award after award since it opened within the precincts of the Gleneagles Hotel but this year, not only did Restaurant Andrew Fairlie retain its status as Scotland’s only two Michelin-star operation, it was also named Best Restaurant in Scotland at the National Restaurant Awards, with Fairlie himself named Chef of the Year at the Cateys, widely regarded as the Oscars of the hospitality industry. It was also a busy year with the Ryder Cup in Perthshire and Gleneagles’ 90th anniversary. As an advisory board member for the Yes campaign, Andrew Fairlie played an active part in the referendum debate and spoke out on the future role of Scotland’s food and tourism industries.
Panel View: Andrew Fairlie has raised culinary excellence to new levels in Scotland, bringing up the standard of the food culture and raising awareness of it world-wide. He put his reputation and international standing to the service of the Yes campaign and was one of its highest profile exponents.60. Charles Dunphie (new)His Year: A former army major, Charles Dunphie is regional director Scotland of ABF, The Soldiers’ Charity. He is a fourth generation soldier who now farms near Bridge of Cally and is married with three children. ABF The Soldiers’ Charity offers lifetime support to serving and retired soldiers and their families and is this year celebrating its 70th birthday, having been founded in 1944.
Major Dunphie and his colleagues have had a busy year marking the centenary of the First World War and he helped to reconnect today’s generation with war remembrance by calling on people of today to wear their relatives’ medals, in public and with pride.
Panel View: War and its aftermath has been very much at the centre of our national psyche this year. Charles Dunphie is a man who has served his country, as did several of his forebears, so his work for a national and international charity is particularly appropriate. His call to wear the medals of relatives who took part in conflict brings us all closer to those who gave so much so that our lives would be safe and secure.59. Corporal David Adam (new)His Year: RAF Leuchars serviceman Corporal David Adams won the hearts of many after raising more than £200,000 for terminally ill and disadvantaged children. The 46-year-old MBE recipient was recently recognised for his dedicated efforts with a special lifetime achievement prize at the Kingdon FM Local Hero awards, in front of an audience of around 300 special guests. Having had the honour of raising the Union flag during the opening ceremony for the 2012, London Olympics, he also carried the Queen’s Baton through Fife ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Panel View: David Adam is someone who goes above and beyond to help others and to support those who need it. He is the kind of person every community would love to have in its midst and public recognition for his efforts and for the spirit in which they are carried out is well deserved.58. Peter Lockhart (new)His Year: Co-owner of a former Fife zoo, Peter Lockhart hit the headlines in October after admitting a string of animal neglect and licensing offences. He ran Fife Animal Park near Cupar and pleaded guilty to not providing a suitable, clean and ventilated environment and failing to protect animals from “injury, suffering and disease.” The former tourist attraction closed to the public in February.
Panel View: Animal welfare is a very important matter to many people and there was widespread shock and dismay at the news that Fife Animal Park was to close and that conditions were so unacceptable. The way we look after animals either personally or in a publicly accessible environment says a lot about us as people and when standards are not met, it’s something to be highlighted and challenged.57. Robert Cockburn (new)His Year: Crieff-based Robert Cockburn’s Knap Vicious Sid (named after the Sex Pistols guitarist and singer) stunned the markets by selling at a virtually unprecedented 145,000 guineas (£152,000) at Lanark agricultural market in August. This was the second highest price a sheep has ever fetched and was paid by a consortium for the Texel (named after the island off Holland where the breed originated) which was only born in February of this year. The new owner reckoned it was “like having the crown jewels in your care” and plans to allow Sid to sire hundreds of lambs naturally and via artificial insemination for other breeders. Sid is prized because of his chunky hindquarters and a fleshy spine; good for both breeding future generations and for juicy lamb chops!
Panel View: It’s not often that the farming community is reduced to silence but the price reached for this one sheep certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons. It goes to show that perfection pays, in whatever field you find it!56. Jim Fairlie (new)His Year: One of the busiest ever for the Perthshire farmer (and brother of star chef Andrew, whose lamb he supplies). This year saw the 15th anniversary of the Perth Farmers’ Markets of which he was the founder and it was a hectic time at festivals and events all over the country, under the banner of Perthshire Farmers and Producers, created by Jim and Anne McGhee in 2009. This year’s biggest saw the PFP tent on Glasgow Green during the Commonwealth Games, literally feeding the 5,000 – and probably more – with the best of Perthshire produce, including the incredibly popular Logeialmond beef pie, a collaboration between Jim’s meat and the pie-making skills of the Carse of Gowrie’s Wee Pie Company. An outspoken supporter of the Yes campaign and member of Farmers for Yes who made several media appearances, his blog on the independence debate was highlighted by Channel 4’s Jon Snow as required reading.
Panel View: Jim Fairlie is a man of strong opinions and the foresight to see what the future might hold – both in food and politics – and want to be a part of it. He has changed the way Scots look at food through the Farmers’ Market movement and continues to fight for quality and for what he sees as the best way forward for Scotland.55. Jillian Low (new)Her Year: As chairwoman of the Arbroath Skatepark project, Jillian Low is credited with galvanising a fund-raising campaign that culminated in the opening of the new £202,000 facility in October this year. She said: “I think if I knew all those years ago how much this project would take over my life, I would have run for the hills but I’m extremely glad I didn’t. What has touched me greatly is how much support we have had from the local community throughout. Many people have been involved with this project and each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievements.” She confessed herself “overwhelmed” by the positive public comments on the new venue. She has also raised £11,000 this year for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Panel View: This is an example of the very best things about community involvement – drive, determination, imagination and a vision to improve the lives of young people and their families. Jillian and her colleagues are real local heroes.54. Sandy Mitchell (new)His Year: The 14-year-old Dundee High School pupil from Letham won the British Super One Series Junior Max karting championship and is seen as a real prospect for the future in both karting and race driving. Previous Super One winners include Formula One stars Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. According to his website, he started out on four wheels at the age of four and a half when he was lucky enough to get his hands on a Honda powered off-road AK 10 buggy. He quickly learned over steer, under steer and how to do “doughnuts”!!
After a few visits to the Lets Go Karting at Knockhill in 2008 Sandy passed his ARKS test and started karting at the age of nine the following year at The North of Scotland Kart Club
Panel View: Starting young is vital in some areas of life and in sport in particular, so young Sandy Mitchell is off to a flying start with this win. Talent-spotters for future high-powered driving competitions will definitely have him in their sights, following in the tyre tracks of Scottish greats Jim Clark and David Coulthard.53. Scott Fenwick (new)His Year: The Estates Manager at Gleneagles and his team had a huge job this year to get the venue ready for the Ryder Cup and the attention of the world – and to maintain it throughout what has become the golfing world’s highest-profile event and one of the msot important in the world of sport generally. The former Perth High pupil who went straight to Gleneagles from school has 34 years of experience under his belt. Working hand-in-hand with one of his heroes, Jack Nicklaus, on the redesign of the course, he knew the changes would make all the difference to the destiny of the event in perhaps the most momentous year it could ever have come to Scotland.
Panel View: Keeping a programme like that on course and on time is no mean feat in a year where global attention has been on Scotland. Scott and his team know the lie of the land inside out and their dedication and hard work, not to mention heroic day-to-day efforts as the competition progressed to its thrilling finale, made it all possible and showed Scotland’s best face to watchers across the globe.52. Ricky Ross (new)His Year: Songwriter, singer, broadcaster and activist, Ricky Ross and the revitalised Deacon Blue, the band he founded, have had a storming year in 2014. The band played at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony, released their seventh album, The New House, inspired by Ross’s Dundee childhood and the man himself appeared on the BBC’s Question Time as a panellist, as well as popping up at a Courier referendum roadshow in Fife.
Panel View: The return of Deacon Blue continues and Ricky Ross is reaching out to make his voice heard not only as a vocalist and writer of significant contemporary songs but also as a man with a view and vision of his country’s future.51. Sir Brian Souter (27)His Year: In his 60th birthday year, the Stagecoach chairman donated £1 million to the SNP in support of the Yes campaign and spoke out on his view of the political and commercial future in an independent Scotland. The company placed a record-breaking £100 million order for 570 new buses and coaches, bringing investment in regional bus operations to around £545 million in the past seven years. Alexander Dennis, a firm with a branch in Falkirk, as well as two south of the border, was chosen as manufacturer. This year, Stagecoach, in conjunction with Richard Branson’s Virgin group was awarded the contract to run the London-to-Scotland East Coast main rail line.
Panel View: As chairman of this hugely significant Scottish-based company, Sir Brian Souter has a direct impact on the lives of most of his fellow Scots and service users across the world, as well as being a major employer. He plays a strong role in Scottish public life and is an example of a self-made man whose roots in his home area are still immensely important to him.