Recognition for turning care charity into a successful social enterprise
Edel Harris, chief executive of Cornerstone, one of Scotland’s largest social care organisations, has been named Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year.
She becomes the first woman to claim the title, also taking home the Building a Better Working World award from this year's Scottish round of global accountancy giant EY's worldwide enterpreneur of the year programme.
In the nine years Harris has been at Cornerstone she and her team have delivered business growth of £10million, diversified into new care markets and delivered an ambitious capital plan to create new homes for people with disabilities and autism.
Cornerstone’s most recent transformational strategic plan, designed to embrace the challenges and opportunities presented by the ageing population, was recognised as having the potential to transform the social care sector in Scotland.
Harris said: “I am overwhelmed to have won such a prestigious award and I am delighted that the hard work of everyone at Cornerstone has been recognised on such a grand stage. Awards like this should never be about one individual because without such a fantastic team of colleagues none of this would be possible.
“Like all social care providers in Scotland Cornerstone is going through a period of change brought about by the growing challenges in our sector, however I am hugely excited about our organisation’s future and proud that we are pioneering a new and innovative way of working for the benefit of the people we support.”
Harris was up against eighteen other successful entrepreneurs based in Scotland. As overall winner she goes forward to the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 UK final to be hosted in London in October.
Annie Graham of EY said: “Edel Harris is an entrepreneur with wow factor.
“Her passion, drive and strategic mind-set have made a significant impact to the lives of the people who work and are supported by Cornerstone across Scotland.
“As a leader she is a shining example of Scotland’s vibrant entrepreneurial community.”
Founded in 1980 in Aberdeen, Cornerstone has grown to support more than 2,200 adults, young people and children across 18 local authority areas in Scotland including people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, dementia, and mental health problems.
