The manager of We Are Inverurie BID has been named one of the winners in this year’s Scotland Loves Local Awards.
Derek Ritchie has been celebrated as the High Street Hero for North East Scotland.
Hero prizes have been presented in each of the eight Scottish Parliament regions.
Derek had his award presented by Scotland’s Towns Partnership Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie and Scotland Loves Local ambassador Sean Batty at the same time as Inverurie was named as Scotland’s Town of the Year 2026.
And he said: “To personally receive a High Street Hero Award in the same year as Inverurie is Town of the Year is a real honour.
“I’m fortunate to work alongside so many people who care passionately about Inverurie, whether through BID or the many other organisations and businesses contributing to the town.
“This recognition is really about that collective effort; be it the imminent delivery of our much-needed Town Centre CCTV system or other projects in the works, there is still a huge amount we want to achieve.”
In his role as BID manager, Derek supports more than 200 levy-paying businesses through marketing, advocacy, training, external funding, town centre improvements and projects designed to increase footfall and spend.
On top of that, he is the event manager for Inverurie Events and a trustee of two local charities, giving him a perspective on linking business, community and civic priorities.
His nomination stated: “Derek is a daily presence on the High Street – promoting local businesses, solving problems, supporting community groups, speaking up for traders and helping turn ideas into action.
“He brings businesses, volunteers, community organisations and public bodies together to make things happen.
“Derek is more than a BID Manager. For more than eight years he has been one of the most visible, active and trusted champions of Inverurie’s town centre. In this time, BID levy payers have gone from 195 to 226, including increased voluntary membership.”
The nomination praised Derek’s contribution to Inverurie through “leadership, delivery and relentless hands-on support”.
He is credited with being fundamental in creating and growing major events such as the Garioch Pipe Band Championships and Taste of Gairoch, each attracting thousands of people.
Beyond work, he also regularly gives his own time to run charity quizzes that have raised thousands of pounds for local causes, as well as establishing Friends of Inverurie Town Hall.
His nomination added: “Derek’s work has had a clear and lasting impact on Inverurie’s town centre, local economy and community confidence.
“The events he has helped create and grow bring significant footfall into the town, increasing trade for shops, cafés, hospitality businesses and market traders while strengthening Inverurie’s reputation as a destination town.”
Derek was congratulated on his success by colleagues, along with Scotland Loves Local ambassador Sean Batty and Scotland’s Towns Partnership Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie.
Kimberley said: “Derek is a shining example of everything a High Street Hero should be. The work he does as BID manager is tremendous, reflected not only his personal success but that of Inverurie as a whole.
“This is an extremely well deserved award.”
Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the campaign which encourages people to create a better future for their community by choosing local.
