The entrepreneur behind Annan-based Eco Group, Eddie Black, has been named as a finalist in the Business Person of the Year category in the Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards 2021.

Since launching the business in 2010, Eddie has grown Eco into a multiple disciplined solutions business employing 80 people.

Mr Black, Eco MD, said: "It's a real honour to be named as a finalist for these awards. As a company, we believe in creating an environment in which people can come together to innovate, collaborate and make things happen. That's something which we believe reaches beyond our own business and throughout the Dumfries and Galloway region."

The company recently moved into a new 3,000-square-metre HQ in Annan which was built by Eco's own team, with work continuing throughout the pandemic.


Eddie said: "It's a real honour to be named as a finalist for these awards. As a company, we believe in creating an environment in which people can come together to innovate, collaborate and make things happen. That's something which we believe reaches beyond our own business and throughout the Dumfries and Galloway region."

Earlier this year, Eddie was appointed to Dumfries and Galloway College's Board of Management, where he will bring his entrepreneurial flair and business experience to the leadership team.

The winners of the Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards 2021 will be announced on Friday, November 12 at a ceremony held at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries. Organised by Dumfries & Galloway Life magazine, the awards celebrate the achievements of people who are striving for excellence and helping to fly the flag for the region in the fields of business and enterprise, food and drink, sports, culture and tourism.

Eco's services include emergency response solutions; dry ice blasting, manufacture and supply; bespoke training systems; design and build solutions; communications and IT; process solutions; and creative design and marketing.

As well as its base in Annan, Eco operates across the border in Cumbria, with its interiors business Ghyll House Upholstery, based at Mealsgate, near Cockermouth, and Integrity IT Solutions, which has bases in Carlisle and at Eco's HQ in Annan.