Leaders of three prominent Island businesses were recognized this month by Ernst & Young for their contribution to the Atlantic business community, says Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell.
"Through the Island Prosperity Strategy, the business community, government and Islanders are working toward a common goal -- to build one Island economy and position the Island well in the global marketplace," said Minister Campbell. "This year, three leaders of our business community have been recognized for their impact not only on the Island, but for their contributions to the Atlantic region."
Ernst & Young named Duncan Shaw, General Manager of Cogsdale Corporation, entrepreneur of the year, recognized Dr. Regis Duffy, founder of BioVectra, for his lifetime achievement, and awarded Andrew Ayre, CEO of Other Ocean Interactive, the category award for media & entertainment.
"These leading entrepreneurs have demonstrated continued leadership, innovation and fortitude to propel their companies and employees forward," said Minister Campbell. "Their successes are not limited to working hours; each of these gentlemen is well known for giving back through mentoring fellow entrepreneurs and being active in the Island community."
Founded in 1997, Cogsdale maintains a reputation for client devotion and proactive solutions, and has become a trusted developer. Mr. Shaw has led the company to success in the software industry, a competitive and rapidly changing environment. Cogsdale employs approximately 77 people in the province.
BioVectra is a leading bioscience manufacturing business, located in Prince Edward Island. Since 1970, Dr. Duffy has helped place Prince Edward Island on the map in the bioscience sector. BioVectra employs approximately 120 people in the province.
Other Ocean Interactive is a video game development and enterprise software studio with offices in Canada and the United States. Mr. Ayre employs approximately 34 people in Prince Edward Island at Other Ocean, and has also established Sculpin QA, which employs approximately 20 more on the Island.
"On behalf of the government of Prince Edward Island, I’d like to congratulate Dr. Duffy, Mr. Shaw and Mr. Ayre on their success," said Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell. "Each has been an integral part of not only their companies, but of the entire Island business community. Their hard work has generated jobs in the financial, bioscience and ICT sectors on the Island and their styles have helped shape those of entrepreneurs to follow."
As the Atlantic Region’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2010, Duncan will compete for the national honour of Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2010, to be presented at a gala celebration November 17, 2010 in Toronto.