A prominent businessman who died recently is to be remembered for his innovation and his support for young people with an award in his name to mark Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).
The Malcolm Scott Award will be presented to the business or organisation considered by the judges to have done the most to support young entrepreneurs or enterprising pupils.
Initiated by Hull City Council and sponsored by the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank (JCYEB), the award will be presented by Cllr Christine Randall, the Lord Mayor of Hull, and Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy at the GEW celebration event at Hull Guildhall on Friday 18 November.
Charles Cracknell, founder of JCYEB, said: “Malcolm did so much for the city of Hull at a high level but was always interested in the success of the individual. He was a true gent.
“He would always take time to chat to any young person I was mentoring and he was recognised as a legend who had a real commitment to Hull and its people. We are proud to name this award in his memory and we look forward to welcoming members of his family to the awards celebration.”
Malcolm was the founder of Scotts Chartered Surveyors and his desire to help others in business led to him becoming a key figure in the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce, where he was president from 2007 until 2008.
In 2022 he approached the government with an audacious bid to buy the Humber Bridge because he was so frustrated at the impact of the cost of tolls on business and the wider community. The government refused to sell but as a result of his initiative the tolls were halved the following year to £1.50 for cars, a figure which still stands.
Malcolm also served for a time as a director of Hull Kingston Rovers and helped with the club’s acquisition of its stadium.
His commitment to improving the city centre – and in particular the evening economy – saw him play an influential role in establishing Hull Business Improvement District, which in 2006 became the first BID in Yorkshire and such a success that Leeds, Sheffield and York are among the cities to have followed in its footsteps. In 2016 Mal was the first winner of the lifetime achievement category at the HullBID awards.
Malcolm retired early from Scotts and launched a series of cultural projects to support young creative and technical talent in the region. He opened the Fruit Trade Music recording studio in 2013 and then the Kardomah 94 arts and culture hub in 2014.
After treatment for a brain tumour, Mal was unable to continue with Kardomah and the venue closed in 2019. Always a very private person for all his high profile in the community, Mal then dropped out of the public gaze. His death in September after a short illness brought a wave of testimonials and tributes.
