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MSP RECOGNISES BISHOPBRIGGS ENTREPRENEUR'S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

RONA MACKAY HONOURS JOHN WATSON AT SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT


A Bishopbriggs entrepreneur whose childhood dream was to own his own lorry, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award for an incredible 55 years of success in the haulage industry.

Strathkelvin and Bearsden MSP Rona Mackay congratulated John Watson of Bishopbriggs-based Clamshell Hire on receiving the prestigious award for 2023 from UK trade magazine Transport News.

SNP MSP Ms Mackay also put forward a motion at the Scottish Parliament, honouring John and his family for their “entrepreneurship and tenacity”, spanning more than half a century.

John (76), along with his business partner, wife Susan, purchased their first HGV back in 1968 and turned it into the flourishing Scotland-wide firm it is today. The couple’s children Alex, Angela, Jimmy and Lorna are also involved in the running of the family company at Huntershill Village.

Ms Mackay said: “No one deserves this award more. The hard work, dedication and commitment of John and his family have seen the firm strengthen and flourish through both buoyant and challenging economic times.

“I was delighted to honour his achievement at the Scottish Parliament.”

Ms Mackay is pictured presenting John and Susan with the framed motion.

John said he didn’t need accolades but was delighted and humbled to be honoured at the Scottish Parliament on top of the Lifetime Award.

He told how he almost emigrated to Australia when his dad dragged his heels about helping him to put a lorry on the road.

John said: “My father was a lorry driver and that was all I wanted to do. As a wee boy I went everywhere with him.

“When I left school, I served my time as a heavy goods mechanic. When I was 21, my father said he would help me with a lorry. But he said the time wasn’t right and I should hold off.

“My uncle ran a bus company in Australia and asked, ‘Why don’t you come here?’

“My mother was very upset and told my father to get things sorted. So he helped me buy the lorry. And the rest is history!”

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