George Goudsmit Honoured by Moray Chamber of Commerce with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
We are thrilled to announce that our founder and former managing director, George Goudsmit, has won the Moray Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award. Presented at the Annual Business Awards on December 4th, this accolade celebrates George’s remarkable contributions, longevity, and impact. The award acknowledges his achievements within the business community in Moray and further afield during a distinguished career.
A word from George on his Lifetime Achievement Award
Reflecting on this recent honour, George shared:
“I am absolutely delighted to be selected from this amazing bunch of fantastic nominees, all of us deserving of the win.“When the business started as Weatherwise Solar in 1979, it was pioneering the manufacture of solar heating technology. I believe that solar is one of the most logical solutions to resolve our energy needs and should be available to all at a reasonable cost. I am delighted that over the past 5 decades, the team and I have been bringing the vision into reality.
“By focusing solely on solar energy, we grew the company significantly. Now our in-house designed systems have been installed by our own teams on all kinds of buildings from bespoke off-grid remote cottages to landmarks such as Balmoral Castle and Edinburgh Castle. Interest in solar technology continues to grow and I look forward to watching the management team progress the company as it moves into its next chapter in renewable energy.”
A Visionary Leader in Renewable Energy
George took over AES Solar from founder Lyle Schnadt in 1989. At the time it was primarily based in the Findhorn Foundation Ecovillage. He immediately predicted the huge growth opportunities for solar power. This was at a time when solar thermal was the only readily available technology on the market. George moved the company into the neighbouring town of Forres to the Lea Road site where we still operate to this day. By focusing solely on solar panels, he grew the business from a modest turnover of £30,000 to £10M.
Shaping Scotland’s Solar Energy Landscape
Throughout his career, George has been a driving force in advancing the solar industry. In 1991, he became a board member of the Solar Trade Association (now Solar Energy UK), a position he held for 20 years. He also co-founded pivotal organisations like the Scottish Solar Energy Group (SSEG), where he served as director for three years, Scottish Renewables, Solar Cities Scotland, and SEDA Solar. These efforts were instrumental in engaging the public and promoting solar energy across Scotland.
Innovation and Advocacy
George’s advocacy extended to Westminster, where he and his team met with then Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, Claire Perry, in 2019. They championed the early introduction of the Smart Export Guarantee scheme to mitigate the impact of the Feed-In Tariff’s removal.
Among his many accomplishments, his successful effort to convince the late Queen Elizabeth II to install solar panels at Balmoral Castle was particularly celebrated. AES Solar won the project by delivering Scottish-made products and a design that respected the Royal Estate’s historic significance. George’s legacy also includes leading AES Solar through innovative projects such as Handa Island, Grand Design’s Home of the Year, and Edinburgh Castle as well as playing a pivotal role in securing the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for the company in 2022.
Proud Moray Roots
Despite George’s achievements on a national and global scale, he has always championed Moray as AES Solar’s home. He recognised the region’s strengths in serving Scotland, including its often-overlooked Highland and Island communities. George’s commitment to the local area has been evident through outreach projects, youth development initiatives, and STEM education programs, ensuring the company gives back to the community it calls home. These are just some of the reasons that make George a very deserving winner of this Moray Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jamie Di Sotto, Commercial Director at AES Solar, said:
“The business is a true Moray success story, much of which is built on the foundations set by George in the early days of the business, and we are pleased to see his skill and dedication recognised with this Lifetime Achievement Award.
Although George has taken a step back from day-to-day business, he remains involved in the industry, continuing to explore new innovation in the ever-changing sector.”
