Three directors based in the Highlands have been shortlisted for the final of the Institute of Directors (IOD) UK Awards which take place in London in October.

Eleanor McFadden, managing director of Frontier Science in Kincraig, Inverness-shire took the female director award at the IOD Awards (Scotland) in March. Eleanor has more than 25 years' experience in the management of clinical trials, including more than 20 years spent with Frontier Science and the Technology Research Foundation in Boston where she was Director of the Coordinating Center for the Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group.

James Dunbar of Inverness-based New Start Highland won the SCVO voluntary-sector director award at the IOD (Scotland) awards and he will join Eleanor in the UK awards. New Start Highland is a local charity which serves the Highlands by providing accessible support solutions and furniture re-use services for people to embark on a new beginning. Their aim is to help people who are experiencing a period of vulnerability to realise their potential and work towards a sustainable future.

Also from the Highlands, Iain MacGregor director of Inverness-based Global Energy Group is an ambitious entrepreneur with a superb ability to build teams who has added significant value to Scotland's fastest growing business in the past three years. Since its inception in 2005 the company has pursued a high growth strategy, more than ten folding its turnover.

Martin Johnson, HIE area manager said: "HIE is always keen to support and promote excellence in leadership, and this year we are very proud to announce that our regional winners will go forward to a UK awards ceremony - taking on the best of the UK’s directors."

The UK based Institute of Directors organisation was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1903 to support, represent and set standards for company directors.