Janice Russell has been nominated in the Business of the Year and Family-run Business of the Year awards categories of the Scottish Women's Awards for her groundbreaking work in the male-dominated field of construction.
In less than six years, sales at the Dalry company doubled to more than £90 million. In addition, the business has remained true to its family values by making investments in local jobs and the communities it serves.
"We truly believe that we can change lives and communities for the better," said Russell, a former SCN Construction Leader, "by working in partnership with clients and tenants to create employment and training opportunities, as well as homes and developments that people want to live in."
McTaggart Construction, which focuses on building high-quality, low-cost homes, was named the 2023 Skills Development Scotland Awards' Large Apprentice Employer of the Year.
Homes for Scotland, the organization that represents Scotland's house-building business, recently appointed Mrs Russell to its board, and Homes for Scotland CEO Jane Wood praised her for her expertise and knowledge.
The Scottish Women's Awards (SWA) ceremony is hosted by Oceanic Events and honours the significant contributions that women from all over Scotland have made to their professional and civic areas.
"To be shortlisted alongside so many incredible women making a positive difference in all sectors of Scottish life is both humbling and inspiring," said Mrs Russell.
A spokesperson for the SWAs said: “The sheer talent, resilience, and commitment exhibited by the finalists have left us in awe. Their achievements are an inspiration to women everywhere, empowering future generations to aim high and break barriers.
“The finalists have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and leadership in their fields, showcasing the diversity and strength of talent present among Scottish women.”
Early in the year, McTaggart Construction underwent a management reorganization that resulted in Mrs Russell assuming control of the company.
The new board's chair, Gary Climson, said the decisions were made after consulting with employees and outside partners about how to expand the company while staying true to the McTaggart family's core principles.
An enthusiastic Gary exclaimed, "Janice is a fantastic asset to the company and her strong leadership and knowledge of the business is driving us forward."
