A FORMER Paratrooper from Ormiston has picked up a top business award.

Lyall Colvin, managing director of Q Electrical in Pencaitland, was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Scottish Ex-Forces in Business Awards.

The awards spotlight the often-remarkable transition of veterans into the corporate landscape.

With more than 300 nominations and six contenders in his category, Lyall’s triumph was heralded as testament to his leadership, vision and commitment to excellence.

The final was hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson in the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow’s Grand Ballroom.

On the award Lyall, 35, said: “I was shocked just to be nominated. I wasn’t at all expecting to come away with this award. I was deeply honoured to receive this recognition.

“My journey to this moment has been shaped by my time in the Parachute Regiment, where I learned the values of camaraderie, respect, and the importance of a strong work ethic. These principles have guided me throughout my career in the electrical industry, a field that I have found both challenging and immensely rewarding.

“In entrepreneurship, as in military service, motivation is key. It is the driving force behind every decision, every action taken. And while the path may be tough, the rewards are plentiful.”

Lyall began working as an apprentice with his dad at Q Electrical before joining the Parachute Regiment and serving for four years until 2012.

East Lothian Courier: Lyall Colvin, from Ormiston, has picked up a top business award

On his service, he told the Courier: “It was a great experience and I learned a lot.

“I made a lot of friends and it taught me some important values.

“I would recommend it to anyone.”

Following his tenure in the military, Lyall transitioned into the realm of business, joining forces with his father, Robert Colvin, in their family business.

In 1995, Robert took the bold step of establishing his own electrical company which evolved into Q Electrical.

In 2020, Q Electrical joined forces with the Quanah Group, alongside fellow award winners Quantum Controls, marking a pivotal moment in its trajectory.

Under Lyall’s stewardship as managing director, the company has experienced exponential growth, diversifying its services and welcomed new team members into its fold.

Lyall added: “We are growing fast and are looking to get a bigger premises down the line. We’ve got a good relationship with apprentices too and have had lots come through their apprenticeships with us.

“We’ve got about 25 staff in total and hope to add more soon.”

He recognised that it could be difficult for ex-forces to transition back into the workplace after leaving the military.

“That’s why I think it’s important to give back to the community and offer engineers a role in a place which can help with that transition,” he added.

“Being around like-minded people can often help with that transition.

“It’s important to say that we don’t just want to recruit ex-forces people, we want to offer roles to anyone who shares the values of dedication, hard work, passion, and respect.

“My aim is to offer the best engineers the opportunity to come and work with the best electrical engineering organisation so we can create a focus point of great engineering which benefits everyone.”