Two Scots solicitors honoured in birthday list

Two Scottish solicitors are among those recognised by the Queen in her Birthday Honours list.

William Alexander (Sandy) Finlayson, founder of Edinburgh practice MBM Commercial, becomes an OBE for services to entrepreneurship and voluntary serviuce in Scotland. Over his career he has been involved in numerous activities to support the funding of high growth young companies, and has helped to establish numerous startup businesses, many of which have gone on to become successful award-winning companies. He chairs the Converge Challenge, a company creation competition and entrepreneurship development programme for staff, students, and recent graduates of Scottish universities and research institutes aimed at creating a new generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland.

Professor Leo Martin, currently a consultant with Levy & McRae, Glasgow, receives the MBE for services to healthcare and education. He has chaired St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, Clydebank, since 2005 and served on the board for 20 years. He also chaired the John Wheatley Further Education College, Glasgow, from 1991 to 1999. Since 2000 he has been a professor at the University of Strathclyde, teaching on the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice.

Sister Rita Dawson, chief executive of the St Margaret Hospice, described Professor Martin as "a wonderful chairman, totally loyal, steadfast, committed and always very active in standing up for the most vulnerable in our society".