Member Article

Scotland’s Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year named as Jamie Douglas-Hamilton

Jamie Douglas-Hamilton, the founder of alkaline water brand Actiph Water, has been named Scotland and Northern Ireland’s Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year at the Royal Bank of Scotland Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

Now in its sixth year, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards is hailed as the benchmark for entrepreneurial success in the UK and has celebrated some amazing entrepreneurs over the years, many of whom are now household names. Past winners include David Buttress of Just Eat, Julie Deane of The Cambridge Satchel Company and James Watt of BrewDog. This year saw a record number of businesses entering the awards.

Jamie created Actiph Water - the UK’s first alkaline ionised water - in 2014 after experiencing extreme conditions whilst rowing 4,200 miles from Australia to Africa, for which he broke two Guinness World Records. Actiph Water has a pH level of 9.0 or higher and offers the ultimate hydration with a refreshing taste, for people who enjoy taking life to a higher level through an active and balanced lifestyle.

The brand has been enjoying impressive growth since launch and is now listed in many stockists across the UK and internationally, including Whole Foods Market, Planet Organic, WHSmith, Lulu, As Nature Intended, as well as online at OCADO and in independent stores.

Jamie Douglas-Hamilton, founder of Actiph Water, comments: “It has been the best night of my life to have won the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year award exactly one year since we hit the shelves. When I first launched Actiph, there was so much uncertainty and unanswered questions, but I’ve realised that the most important thing is to just take that leap of faith, as one thing always leads into another. I feel so honoured after a year to have won – particularly against such an impressive shortlist of deserving winners. This award has only been made possible with the help of our supporters, our winning team, those who backed me and our Actiphists.”

Francesca James, co-founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said: “Jamie is a thoroughly deserving winner of this award and his entrepreneurial story illustrates persistence, tenacity and ambition. The judges were all in agreement that Jamie’s passion for growth and development flowed from the pages of his application and he possesses true entrepreneurial spirit, which is what the Great British Entrepreneur Awards are all about.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Member .