Ball and Ross honoured at Ernst awards

TWO of Scotland’s property leaders triumphed at the Ernst & Young Scotland Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2008.

Geoff Ball, CEO of CALA Group, won the Master Entrepreneur award, while Ken Ross, CEO of Elphinstone Holdings, won the Business Products and Services category. The overall Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 title was awarded to Bob Keiller of Production Services Network.

Geoff Ball has increased CALA’s turnover to £300 million since he took on the role of CEO in 1974. He was praised by the judges as "an extraordinary

Shonaig Macpherson gives Ken Ross his trophy

entrepreneur, who has spent many years growing his business in a tough environment”.

In 14 years Ken Ross has dramatically changed Elphinstone, the property development company, from two people to a workforce of 700. The company now manages £650 million of property investments. Ross, who is also vice-chair of the Scottish Property Federation, was praised as "an outstanding risk-taker; growing his business whilst ensuring that it is protected from the potential challenges”.