Individuals from Scotland's home building industry were recognised for their talent and

achievement at the industry's key annual event at the EICC in Edinburgh on Friday 1 May 2009, which attracted almost 500 senior industry representatives.

The theme of this year’s Homes for Scotland Awards, now in their seventh year, was chosen to reflect the challenges presented by the severe economic downturn, acknowledging that it will be the efforts of those remaining at the industry's core which will deliver the many new homes that Scotland desperately needs.

Homes for Scotland represents an industry which, prior to the financial crisis, was the largest source of private investment in Scotland, building 20,000 new homes per year and contributing £6bn to the economy and directly impacting on the employment of 100,000 people.

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However, 26,000 jobs within the sector (half the industry's directly employed workforce) have been lost in the last twelve months.

John Low, Managing Director of Stewart Milne Homes North, who was elected as the new

Chairman of Homes for Scotland at the organisation's AGM which took place earlier the same day, said: "Scottish home building has borne the brunt of the credit crunch fallout, resulting in dramatic drops in activity and the loss of many thousands of jobs. It will be the talent, passion and commitment of those who remain that will move the industry beyond the current crisis - it is they who will implement its recovery in the months and years ahead."

Michael Coogan, Director General of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, provided the keynote address, giving his views on mortgage availability and what is required to lay the future foundations for a more vibrant housing market.

Winners of this year's awards were announced by broadcaster Isla Traquair. These included a special Homes for Scotland Industry Achievement Award which was received by Mike Walker, Chairman of the Walker Group (Scotland).

A total of eight categories were considered by the independent judging panel, chaired by Mary Mulligan MSP of the Scottish Parliament's Local Government and Communities Committee.

The full judging panel comprised: Mary Mulligan MSP; Kennedy Foster - CML Scotland; Helen Stuart - General Manager, Scotland's New Homebuyer; Graeme Ogilvy - ConstructionSkills. Scotland; Bill Jamieson - Executive Editor, The Scotsman; Nick Barley - Director, The Lighthouse.

(GK/JM)