Retail expert Professor Leigh Sparks has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Stirling Business Awards 2025.
He was presented with the honour by Go Forth Stirling BID Project Director Danielle McRorie Smith at the annual awards run by the organisation last night.
The awards were organised by the BID (Business Improvement District) to recognise and reward the city’s independent business owners, tourist attractions and charities. Winners were chosen in a variety of categories following a selection process which saw more than 26,000 public votes cast.
Leigh Sparks, Professor of Retail Studies at the University of Stirling and Chair of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, is the first recipient of a Lifetime Achievement honour at the Awards and was recognised for his long-term commitment and services to the business community.
As Chair of Scotland’s Town’s Partnership and an expert in the retail field, he has played a huge role in advising on and shaping retail policy and championing towns and business communities across Scotland over several decades.
Professor Sparks is regularly sought out for his views and media commentary on retail and consumer issues and runs an engaging blog on Scottish retail matters – Stirlingretail.com He is also a social historian who has collected every copy of the iconic Argos catalogue – a collection, dating back to 1973, which provides a unique insight into changing consumer habits over the years.
Ms McRorie-Smith said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to recognise Professor Leigh Sparks for the unrivalled work and service he has given the business and retail community over the past 30 years.
“His research and expertise has been, and continues to be, invaluable to all of us and we are honoured to recognise a lifetime packed with outstanding achievements – and with more, no doubt, still to come.”
More details on the Stirling Business Awards and a list of all the award winners can be found on the Go Forth Stirling website – www.goforthstirling.co.uk/business-awards
