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Chamber and committees

Sarah Thomson, Director of Fife-based Och Aye Canoe, Named Scotland's Businesswoman of the Year at the Association of Scottish Businesswomen National Awards 2024

  • Submitted by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour.
  • Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
  • Motion reference: S6M-15924
  • Current status: Fallen

That the Parliament congratulates Sarah Thomson, director of Och Aye Canoe, based in Fife, on being named Scotland’s Businesswoman of the Year at the Association of Scottish Businesswomen National Awards 2024; understands that the prestigious award is a testament to her passion, perseverance and achievements in the outdoor adventure industry through kayaking, paddleboarding and canoeing; recognises that, following a life-changing leg injury, Sarah worked hard to recover and transformed her own passion for paddlesports into a thriving business, introducing paddling to people of all abilities and experiences; acknowledges the assistance and support of Business Gateway Fife, providing one-to-one support to Sarah, including signposting to wider networks, and helping to secure a Workforce Upskilling Grant allowing the acquirement of a powerboat instructor licence; commends Sarah’s achievements as a powerboat instructor, marine radio and first aid instructor, Leave No Trace trainer, and a key voice in Paddle Scotland's Equality Group, as well as collaboration with groups such as Help for Heroes and Limbless Veterans; congratulates Sarah on becoming a finalist for a UK-wide Paddle Quality Experience Award, with the winner to be announced on 23 January 2025, and extends its very best wishes to Sarah for continued success and luck in the Paddle Quality Experience Award finals in the new year.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Foysol Choudhury, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Annabelle Ewing, Murdo Fraser, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Stuart McMillan, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Sue Webber, Annie Wells