Alfie Cheyne, Winner in National Global Director of the Year Awards

08 October 2012

Alfie Cheyne, chief executive of Aberdeenshire-based deck machinery specialists ACE Winches, has been announced Global Director of the Year 2012 by the Institute of Directors at the UK Finals.

The prestigious awards ceremony took place on October 5, 2012 at the Lancaster Hotel in Hyde Park, London, celebrating the best in UK business.

Winners from the regional IoD Director of the Year Awards 2012, were eligible to apply for the UK finals. Entrants had to be able to show that a minimum of 25 per cent of the company’s turnover comes from overseas sales and are successful in exporting, and committed to continued growth in the international business arena.

The aim of the awards is to raise awareness amongst IoD members, the wider business community and the public of the significant contribution business leaders can make to society and to economic prosperity.

Mr Cheyne said: "Once again, ACE has been recognised for its export achievements and although the award is handed to me, I really do feel that I am accepting it on behalf of everyone who works so hard to make the business a success.

"The award demonstrates that ACE Winches has an extremely strong track record of development and delivery in overseas markets. Export growth has been a long-standing strategy for ACE and this has been reinforced thanks to continued growth our operations base in Norway strong sales in the US and Far East markets in particular.”

In 2012 ACE Winches continued strong showing in the export market, realising 74% of turnover from international activities and sales.

Since founding ACE Winches in 1992, Mr Cheyne has never wavered from his commitment to establish the business as an indigenous north-east of Scotland company, that retains a local workforce competing at a global level.

The company has won several accolades for its export success, including a Queen’s Award.