A GARNOCK Valley businessman has picked up the top award at the inaugural Summit Entrepreneurship Awards.

Help in Glasgow and designed by STV and Entrepreneurial Scotland to honour our most inspirational established and up-and-coming entrepreneurs, from a range of backgrounds and sectors, the prestigious awards highlight the breadth of Scotland’s entrepreneurial talent.

And J&D Pierce Contracts’ Managing Director Derek Pierce picked up the Entrepreneur of the Year award.

The company is on of the largest structural steelwork contractors in the UK and was established in 1975 in Glengarnock, providing light fabrication and general blacksmith work.

Today, J&D Pierce, employs 350 staff across six divisions and has been involved in prestigious projects including Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow Queen Street Station redevelopment and Gatwick Airport’s new hanger for Boeing.

Richard Slater, Partner and Head of Entrepreneurial Business in Scotland with Deloitte, sponsors of the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award category, said: “The achievements of J&D Pierce over the past 12 months have been remarkable. Derek and his team have enjoyed standout success at a time when Scotland’s entrepreneurs are delivering at home and abroad. Their recent work shows how our local businesses bring tangible benefits to some of the UK’s most significant projects.”