The founder of AC Gold Ltd electrical services firm won a prestigious award for his determination to succeed at the annual Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) Growth Fund Awards which took place in Glasgow last night.

Alasdair Campbell (31), proprietor of AC Gold Ltd based in Stirling, and overall winner of the 'Determination to Succeed' award was one of four businesses recognised at this year's PSYBT Growth Fund awards, sponsored by Bank of Scotland Business Banking.

Mr Campbell (31) started his career in the electrical trade as a YTS trainee and on completing his apprenticeship in 2000, he decided to set up his own company.

By 2002, Campbell had two members of staff and was looking to grow the business. He formed AC Electrical Ltd and approached PSYBT for a loan.

In January 2003 he moved into business premises at Stirling Enterprise Park and appointed a management team to support the growing number of electricians employed in commercial and industrial electrical installation as well as testing and certification work.


A PSYBT growth fund loan in 2004 saw further expansion of the business and mid-way through that year AC Electrical employed 35 staff and was on target to achieve its significant growth plans. However a combination of the business outgrowing the skills/experience of the management team and contractors refusing to pay their bils resulting in bad debts led to a crisis situation and in November of that year Alasdair was forced to put AC Electrical into liquidation.

When Alasdair contacted his customers to explain the situation they were dumbstruck - they had nothing but praise for Alasdair and tried to convince him to start up again. Boosted by their confidence and coupled with his own tenacity Alasdair launched AC Gold Ltd with six electricians, four apprentices and two office staff.

In October last year Alasdair he had to take three months off work for a major operation on his eye and soon after his nine year old daughter came to live with him after her mum died.

Today, however AC Gold Ltd is going from strength to strength. Alasdair employs 40 staff and has a turnover approaching £2m. Summing up his journey so far he quotes American businessman, Jerry Meadows: "The best way to learn is to just get out there and do it. Success is a poor teacher, you've got to learn from your mistakes and move forwards. Ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice."

(GK/JM)