Top talent across Scotland’s finance sector shortlisted for CFO Awards

Finalists from across Scotland’s finance community have been named for the Scottish CFO Awards 2026, ahead of winners being revealed at a ceremony in October.

Leading business and financial advisor Grant Thornton UK has announced the shortlist for the Scottish CFO Awards 2026. Now in its third year, the programme shines a spotlight on the exceptional talent of chief financial officers and their teams across Scotland.

Proudly sponsored by Grant Thornton, Addleshaw Goddard, Barclays and FWB Executive Search Ltd, with the ICAS Foundation as charity partner, the awards are open to CFOs (or equivalent) and finance teams across all sectors in Scotland. This year’s nominations included fast-growing SMEs, established PLCs, private equity-backed businesses, family-owned firms and organisations in the not-for-profit sector.

Finalists were selected by an independent panel of judges, with celebrations set to culminate in an exclusive finalist dinner and awards ceremony in Edinburgh this October.

Stuart Preston, Partner at Grant Thornton in Scotland, commented: “What struck the judges this year was the range. We had CFOs steering ambitious scale-ups sit alongside those holding steady, complex organisations through real pressure, and both showed the same quality: clear thinking under scrutiny. Every finalist here has shown judgement as much as competence, and that’s exactly what these awards were set up to recognise.”

Michael Dickson, Director at FWB Ltd, commented: “Once again, the quality and breadth of talent represented across this year’s shortlist is hugely impressive. What’s particularly encouraging is the diversity of organisations these finance leaders represent – from high-growth and private equity-backed businesses to family-owned companies, major corporates and some of Scotland’s leading not-for-profit organisations. Through our work at FWB, we see first-hand how much the CFO role continues to broaden, and this year’s finalists demonstrate the commercial leadership, strategic influence and impact that the very best finance leaders are having across organisations of every size and ownership model. We’re delighted to continue supporting the Awards and look forward to celebrating everyone’s achievements in October.”

The 2026 shortlist is:

CFO of the Year – Turnover up to £50 million

• Jen Given, Love Electric
• Crawford Hunt, Capital Theatres
• Duncan Macrae, Artus Air

CFO of the Year – Turnover £50 million to £200 million

• Michael Hope, Simple Online Healthcare
• David Dishon, Ferguson Marine (Port Marine) Ltd
• Michelle McDonald, Scottish Leather Group
• Colin McLellan, Create Future

CFO of the Year – Turnover over £200 million

• Alisdair Noble, Park Group
• Gregor Calder, Glasgow University
• Stuart MacGregor, Forth Ports
• Iain Logan, Springfield Properties

CFO of the Year of a Private Equity-backed Company

• Colin McLellan, Create Future
• Jennifer Doran, Graham & Sibbald
• Duncan Macrae, Artus Air

CFO of the Year of a Family-Owned Business

• Johanna Wallace, Johnstons of Elgin
• Michelle McDonald, Scottish Leather Group

CFO of the Year of a Not-for-Profit Organisation

• Nicky Wood, Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland
• Crawford Hunt, Capital Theatres
• Jane Smith, Children’s Hospice Across Scotland
• Martin Booth, Enable Scotland

Outstanding achievement awards

Growth/Scale Up

• Michael Hope, Simple Online Healthcare Ltd
• Duncan Macrae, Artus Air
• Alan Gilbert, Zelim
• Michael Harvey, Highland Broadband Networks Ltd

One to Watch

• Jennifer Doran, Graham & Sibbald
• Alan Gilbert, Zelim
• Lorna Barclay, Pelion

Transformation/Impact

• Rucelle Soutar, Scottish FA
• Jen Given, Love Electric
• Crawford Hunt, Capital Theatres
• David Dishon, Ferguson Marine

Finance Team of the Year

• Parks of Hamilton, led by Alisdair Noble
• McQueens Dairies, led by Sam Worthingzen
• Snappy Shopper, led by Barry McGonagle
• Bella & Duke, led by Robert Horner

More information on the categories, shortlist and ceremony can be found at: www.scottishcfoawards.co.uk.