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Scotland must look forward

10th June 2008

Scotland must look forward and inspire future generations to make the world a better place through invention and innovation according to the First Minister.

Speaking ahead of the re-launch of the national John Logie Baird Awards at parliament last night (10 June) Alex Salmond said that Scotland had retained it’s passion for invention and innovation and must remain forward thinking.

He said: “Scotland retains as much of a passion for innovation and excellence as ever. That’s why the re-launch of the John Logie Baird Awards is so welcome and so important.

Alex Salmond “The Awards are a call for inventors and innovators to demonstrate excellence and offer support to bring new ideas to market. In capitalising on Scotland’s strengths, the Awards will help increase Scotland’s global competitiveness and create and sustain economic growth.

“Just like John Logie Baird, I’ve no doubt this generation of Scottish innovators can inspire future generations to take a leap forward and make the world a better place.”

The John Logie Baird Awards Programme, organised by Glasgow Opportunities (GO) and launched with the full support of the Baird family, look set to put Scotland on the map for global innovation after returning following a five year break. The launch was attended by leading entrepreneurs including Sir Tom Farmer and James Goodfellow, inventor of the chip and pin.

Speaking at the launch, Iain Baird paid tribute to his grandfather: He said: “There is a human tendency to resist change. My grandfather was accused of hiding a boy in a box behind the receiver and all sorts of tricks, but he persisted with his dream.”

He added: “Among many Scottish corporations there is an inexplicable reluctance to put forward venture capital or take up new ideas, even when innovations are sure-fire winners. And in boardrooms, new ideas are often treated like a dangerous virus which must be quarantined. Business cultures such as this are not productive. They threaten Scotland’s ability to develop new skill areas, particularly where the knowledge-based and high-tech fields are concerned.”

“Actively promoting sensible change is a necessary offset to the inherent human tendency to resist it, but also to ensure that the right structures are available when innovation does occur, and that structures are maintained to encourage, recognise and reward successful innovators.”

Previous winners of the John Logie Baird Awards Programme include; a monitor that ensures bar staff serve a full pint, the world's first kilt-making qualification and a device which prevents moisture building up in bagpipes and causing them to go out of tune.

The John Logie Baird Awards Programme, in partnership with Biggart Baillie, LINC Scotland, NESTA and the University of Glasgow, is open to both individuals and companies who will compete to win £20,000 worth of product support and marketing support.

Isabell Majewsky, chief executive of organisers GO Group, said: “The John Logie Baird Awards Programme is about recognising and celebrating success within Scotland. We’re a small nation but have repeatedly proved we can make a significant impact to the UK and the world.”

“While other countries are standing still in innovation - Australia has had its innovation funding slashed and Indian innovators are struggling to access funding options – Scotland is moving full steam ahead.”

“The Awards aim to identify innovators, as well as discovering the next generation of John Logie Bairds. We can then give them the help and support they need to bring their products to market.”

Initially, John Logie Baird award entrants will compete at a regional level, with judges looking for originality, entrepreneurial ability, market potential and the ability to develop the idea.

Regional workshops, providing support and information on patents, prototypes and product development, will be provided for the best commercially viable ideas.

Awards will then be presented to the most innovative projects with the best prospects of commercial success. A full programme of support and national publicity will be available to the winners.

Regional winners will then be selected to go forward to the national competition. The Awards are free to enter, anyone interested should visit www.johnlogiebairdawards.com

ENDS
For further information contact
Sabina Kadic, Axis Media Group
T: 0141 889 6868
Sabina: 07894 607 584 | sabina@axismediagroup.co.uk

Notes to editors

1. Interviews with Isabell Majewsky, Iain Baird and Malcolm Baird (son of John Logie Baird) are available on request.

2. The award categories include:
• The John Logie Baird Award for Knowledge Transfer Champion --Encouraging academic entrants
• The John Logie Baird Award for Impact through Innovation -Encouraging established business entrants
• The John logie Baird Award for Achievement in Innovation - Encouraging a broad range of entrants
• The John Logie Baird Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit -Encouraging entrants who have fully realised the commercial opportunity from their invention or innovation
• The John Logie Baird Award for Young Inventor -Encouraging young entrants below the age of 30 years
• The John Logie Baird Award for the Public and Third Sector -Encouraging entrants from the public and charitable sectors.
The John Logie Baird Innovator of the Year Award – this will be awarded on merit and not through application

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