MBE for north east businessman and Aberness Foods top man Stanley Morrice
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NORTH east businessman Stanley Morrice has been made an MBE for services to food and drink in Scotland.
Mr Morrice, who has been named in the special Jubilee Queen's Birthday Honours list, is being recognised for his work supporting sustainable food and drink production in the north-east of Scotland.
He said: “This has come as a very welcome surprise indeed — and I am immensely grateful for this recognition of my career to date.
“I’m very proud of my roots in the north east of Scotland and the opportunities the region has provided me."
Stanley lives in rural Aberdeenshire with his wife Evelyn and their English springer spaniel Pebbles.
The couple have two grown up sons and enjoy reading and gardening.
The businessman chairs the food, drink and agriculture board at Opportunity North East (ONE), a group pushing private sector growth across the region.
He is also leading the delivery of Seedpod, a £21 million investment project in the food and drink.
Seedpod aims to create a sustainable manufacturing and production hub at Scotland’s Rural College campus at Craibstone, scheduled to open in 2023.
The Fraserburgh-born businessman has also had a high-profile role as managing director of Aberness Foods, which was bought in a £20 million deal in 2004.
A man with a range of interests, he has also been chairman and managing director of several global businesses in the energy industry, shipping and food retail and wholesale sectors – currently chairs the world’s leading ship provisioners Garrets International, offshore catering giants Strachans Ltd, Belgian logistics firm Van Hulle and the University of Stirling Management School Advisory Board.
Mr Morrice served as Vice Chair of Scottish Enterprise Grampian representing the food and drink sector for five years between 2003 and 2008 before the organisation’s restructure discontinued regional boards.
He has been recognised for his considerable contribution with honorary professorships from the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee and Stirling.
Retaining a strong passion for mentoring the next generation of global business leaders, Mr Morrice works at the Stirling Management School to develop talent needed to diversify Scotland’s economy.
Mr Morrice said: "It’s a privilege to be at the stage in life where I can focus my time on giving something back through mentoring the next generation of business leaders, sharing experience with students and ensuring that we secure a thriving economy for generations to come.
“At the heart of that challenge is our food and drink sector, making sure this region remains synonymous with premium quality produce and that we maximise the opportunities of decarbonising the sector by giving businesses the support to grow and succeed.
“It’s been an honour to have been able to contribute to shaping the sector’s future and I look forward to continuing to do so.”
Opportunity North East Chairman Sir Ian Wood, said: “I warmly congratulate Stanley for receiving this honour, the dedication and professionalism displayed throughout his career has been rightly recognised.
"He has made an invaluable contribution to the development of the food, drink and agriculture activities at Opportunity North East and we are very fortunate to be able to draw upon his extensive experience.”
