A founder of a globally successful Scottish health tech firm has been shortlisted for a major science award recognising outstanding business leadership.

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Gary Beale (pictured above), co-founder of microwave technology leaders Emblation, has led the company through a series of impressive milestones.

From modest start-up roots, he has delivered global sales for the firm’s flagship Swift device, attracted eight-figure investment, and significantly grown the headcount, while masterminding delivery of a showpiece new HQ.

Now, that impressive CV has seen him shortlisted and Gary said: “From the outset, our mission at Emblation has been driven by a commitment to create a superior treatment that provides help to patients suffering from physically and mentally debilitating skin conditions.

It’s been an incredible journey, I’ve been able to witness the growth of our team from the early days of a startup, to where we stand today – achieving record-breaking growth.”

He added: “Knowing that Swift has been used in more than 345,000 treatments around the world fills me with immense pride and gratitude of our work so far, and I hope we can continue to deliver the best quality for clinicians and patients going forward.

I’m honoured to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award and I’m sure it will be a fantastic evening, seeing all the brilliant minds that are leading the science sector, come together and be recognised for their efforts over the last 12 months.”

Scotland’s Life Sciences Annual Awards and Dinner is the pinnacle event for the sector, celebrating its key contributors for over 20 years. Gary has been nominated in the Business Leadership Award category.

Taking place on Thursday the 14th of March, the event will highlight and celebrate the major contributions of Scottish people working in the life sciences sector to society.

Gary commented: “Last year was a landmark for us, breaking all our financial records with an 86% jump in revenue; it was a clear sign of our team’s incredible spirit and hard work, to ensure our technology is market-leading and the go-to solution for clinicians.

Additionally, relocating our entire team to the new headquarters was a huge undertaking, but the payoff has been incredible. Having all 70 of our employees together under one roof has solidified our foundation for continued growth.

It’s been a significant move, but the positive impact it’s having on our team dynamics and potential for expansion is undeniable and 2024 is another year with great potential for growth for us.”

Gary and Eamon McErlean, who is the Chief Technology Officer, founded the company after meeting during their post-graduate studies at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.

In 2021, the company received a major investment from Apposite Capital, a London-based healthcare investment firm, which fuelled its rapid global growth and led to the formation of Emblation USA by acquiring a distribution company.

This investment also enabled the creation of new subsidiaries in Canada and Germany and expansion into over 20 additional countries. As the company grew, its workforce nearly tripled, necessitating a move to larger office space in Castle Business Park, Stirling, from its former Alloa location.