MSP meets resilient award-winning Bisopbriggs businesswoman

An award-winning Bishopbriggs business has been praised following a visit from MSP Rona Mackay.

Pivotal Scotland won the Triumph Against Adversity Award at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Celebrating Small Businesses Awards. They have also been put forward for the UK-wide equivalent.

Owner Andrew Monaghan was tragically diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2015 so his wife Sandra took the helm of the business – and since it has prospered.

Andrew has fought against MND and retained a strong presence in the training business by mentoring from home and learning to use eye-gaze software technology, which allows him to run the company social media and write blog posts.

Ms Mackay met with the pair and heard about how the business has succeeded despite challenging personal circumstances.

She said: “I am so touched by the story of Andrew and Sandra Monaghan and how they are overcoming such difficult odds to succeed together in business.

“What is both humbling and heart-breaking is that this diagnosis has really brought them closer together – despite Andrew having this dreadful terminal illness.

“I left Pivotal Scotland incredibly inspired by their personal story and business success. I am very proud to represent them in the constituency and hope they win the UK-wide awards coming up.”

Sandra, who has taken on the directorship of the business, said:

“I am delighted Rona Mackay MSP could take the time to visit Pivotal Scotland and hear about why we won the Federation of Small Business Triumph Against Adversity Award.

“We spoke to Rona about the main challenges we have been through to still remain in business despite my husband Andrew’s diagnosis with MND.

“At Pivotal Scotland, we are really positive about the future, as business has grown steadily and every day we go to work with a renewed sense of vigour to make it even more successful, for Andrew.”

ENDS

NOTES

Picture Caption: Rona Mackay and Sandra.