James Barrack, Chairman and Managing Director of Knight Property Group and Chess Group, has been named 36th Grampian Industrialist of the Year, in recognition of his outstanding commercial success in the Grampian Region.
Mr Barrack was presented with the prestigious accolade on 8 March 2013 at an awards dinner, which was attended by 300 local business people and dignitaries, held at the Ardoe House Hotel.
Organised by Junior Chamber International Aberdeen (JCI), selection of the Grampian Industrialist winner takes into account career history of the individual, company growth and success, the role and contribution of the individual, their people development and their entrepreneurial skills. Since the first winner, Sir Ian Wood in 1978, the Award has represented proven business excellence in the North East.
Mr Barrack founded Knight Property Group and Chess Group with his father Hamish in 1987 and has led both businesses as Chairman and Managing Director since 1998. Knight Property Group is one of Scotland’s most active property development companies, with a strong track record in the North East. The company won the award of Scottish Property Developer of the Year in 2009.
He said: “I am delighted to be announced the 36th Grampian Industrialist of the Year. Above all, this is recognition of the hard work and long term commitment of the team at Knight and Chess over many years. It also highlights the importance of property development in the local economy, as an enabler of wider growth for other sectors. It is a privilege to join such a distinguished roll call of past winners.”
In 2009 Mr Barrack founded the Barrack Charitable Trust which gives funding to many needy charities and organisations. In addition to mentoring individuals looking for support in their business life, he is a dedicated supporter of the wider community. Since 2010, as well as being a patron of the Prince’s Trust, he has been a member on the Scottish board of the charity.
Mr Barrack is a council member of the Crerar Hotels Trust and in 2012 became one of three main trustees. The trust has given charitable donations of around£5million. He is also a member of The Young Presidents Organisation (YPO), which focuses on the development of better leaders through education and idea exchange. Mr Barrack is a Burgess of the City of Aberdeen; he also previously held the position of Assessor for a number of years.
