Brian Souter - Honours and Awards

Honours and Awards

In June 2010, Souter was given a Special Career Service Award at the "Talent In Mobility" Awards, part of the European Mobility Exhibition held in Paris for the public transport industry. In October 2010 he was awarded the Ernst & Young UK Master Entrepreneur of the Year.

Souter was knighted in the 2011 Birthday Honours for services to transport and the voluntary sector. This decision proved to be controversial, and was criticised by Scottish Labour MP Cathy Jamieson who suggested a link between Souter's knighthood and the large amounts of money he has donated to the Scottish National Party. In a public statement, Jamieson said: “The First Minister and his party must look seriously at the relationship they have developed with wealthy individuals handing them large sums of cash. The public will rightly be asking what’s next on Mr Souter’s shopping list?” First Minister Alex Salmond denied any wrongdoing in the matter and referred himself for investigation after calls for a probe by Scottish MP Jim Sheridan. An independent report, conducted by Lord Fraser of Carmyllie, cleared Salmond of any wrongdoing and asserted that "There appears to me to have been no breach of the ministerial code by Alex Salmond as First Minister and he should be wholly exonerated of any breach." Souter's knighthood was also criticised by Gay Rights campaigners, who felt that the honour was insulting towards the gay community and was effectively rewarding homophobia given Souter's past campaigning. Their condemnation sparked a petition to have Souter's knighthood withdrawn which has gained over 6,000 signatures to date.

On 18 April 2012, Souter was inducted into the British Travel and Hospitality Industry Hall of Fame. He is the first public transport entrepreneur to receive the honour.