Sammantha Maclachlan FGA named StartUp Awards finalist

Paisley-based startup Sammantha Maclachlan FGA Ltd has been named a finalist ahead of the Scotland’s Final of the StartUp Awards.

The StartUp Awards has been launched to recognise the booming startup scene across the UK which has accelerated since the 2019 pandemic. Over 800,000 new businesses were founded in the UK since 2021, a 4.3% increase from the year before.

A record number of businesses applied to this year’s StartUp Awards, with 1,100 firms shortlisted across ten UK nations and regions. The contribution of these firms – all of which were started in the last three years – is significant, having created over 5,000 new jobs since they were established and generating annual sales of £584 million.

Sammantha Maclachlan FGA Ltd is an independent jewellery and watch valuation service founded by Sammantha Maclachlan in 2020. The business has been nominated for the Consumer Services StartUp of the Year.

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Sammantha, founder of Sammantha Maclachlan FGA Ltd, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted as a finalist in the StartUp Awards. Starting a new business just as the pandemic hit meant that I had a difficult couple of years, trying to grow my client base and promote my service.

“I spent the time during those lockdowns working on my branding and advertising and I am very happy with how this has paid off. I now have a large client base with many returning customers and many 5 star service reviews.”

Supported nationally by Starling Bank, British Business Bank, BT, Creative Ideaz, GS1 UK, Jeeves, Join Talent, ScoreApp and The Purposeful Project, the programme will celebrate the achievements of the amazing individuals who have turned an idea into an opportunity and taken the risk to launch a new product or service.

The cohort of finalists will be considered for the regional prizes by a panel of seasoned judges with experience founding or supporting entrepreneurial ventures.

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, the creator of the StartUp Awards, said:

“​​Start-up businesses are the lifeblood of any economy, being responsible for new jobs, innovation and in supporting communities in every nation and region across the UK. All of the finalists this year represent the best of those entrepreneurs who have spotted an opportunity and through their sheer hard work, talent and perseverance, have created an amazing new business that is creating real impact in its sector.”

The StartUp Awards was created in collaboration with the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, one of the most successful awards programmes in the UK. The StartUp Awards are running for the second year after launching in 2022.