8 July 2025
Two Fife College interior design students have been named the first recipients of the new JH Guild Forbo Flooring Systems Scholarship, created to inspire careers in sustainable design.
Paige Flockhart and Emillie Ramsay, both studying HNC 3D Design (Interiors), have each been awarded £1,000. They will also benefit from a fully funded visit to Forbo Flooring’s head offices in the Netherlands or England, an experience that will give them a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about innovative eco-flooring design and manufacturing.
Paige and Emillie were presented with their scholarship awards at the College’s end-of-year Art & Design exhibition at the Rothes Halls in Glenrothes.
Paige, from Glenrothes, said:
"I am so grateful to have received this scholarship. It will be an amazing experience and will help further my knowledge of the brand itself, and will be a great addition to my CV. I also think this has helped my confidence in not being scared to go for opportunities that are available to me.
“I will put the financial award towards a laptop to help me out with college work and to utilise in future education I may choose to take."
Emillie, from Kirkcaldy, said:
"I am so excited and honoured to be awarded this scholarship. Not only do I get to visit the Forbo Flooring headquarters, a company I use a lot during my coursework, but I also receive £1,000, which will be a big benefit to my course.
“I am going to use my award to go towards either a SketchUp programme, which is what I use most for my visuals, or towards a new laptop to use SketchUp on. This is very beneficial to me and will help me reach my utmost creativity with better software in my course. I’m so excited!"
Launched last year as part of Fife College’s 125th anniversary celebrations, the JH Guild Forbo Flooring Systems Scholarship was introduced to support the next generation of sustainable design professionals.
Funded by Forbo Flooring Systems and the family of James Harrower Guild, the scholarship celebrates both the pioneering spirit of Scottish industry and a commitment to sustainable innovation.
James Harrower (Harry) Guild (1871–1951) was a respected lawyer, businessman and philanthropist from Lindores, near Newburgh. His decades of leadership at Tayside Floorcloth Company laid foundations that continue to shape the flooring industry today.
Forbo Flooring Systems, whose roots go back to Michael Nairn’s original Kirkcaldy factory founded in 1847, remains a global leader in high-quality, sustainable flooring solutions. The company operates worldwide and continues to have a strong presence in Fife.
Angus Fotheringhame, General Manager UK & Ireland at Forbo Flooring, said:
“We are delighted to support this scholarship in partnership with the family of JH Guild and Fife College. Encouraging the next generation of designers to embrace sustainable materials and innovative thinking is essential for the future of our industry. We congratulate Paige and Emillie on their success and look forward to welcoming them to Forbo Flooring to share our passion for high-quality, eco-friendly flooring solutions.”
Alastair Guild, grandson of James Harrower Guild, said:
“Our family is very proud to honour the legacy of James Harrower Guild by supporting talented students at Fife College. He believed strongly in the value of innovation and in giving people the opportunity to succeed. We are thrilled to see this scholarship awarded for the first time and wish Paige and Emillie every success as they continue their studies and build their careers.”
Lyn Gold, Scholarship and Alumni Engagement Lead at Fife College, said:
“Congratulations to Paige and Emillie, they are truly deserving first recipients of this special scholarship which celebrates the history of flooring in our Fife community and supports the next generation of interior designers.
“This award will help them build their confidence, develop their skills and take an exciting step towards their future careers. We are very grateful to Forbo Flooring Systems and the family of JH Guild for their generous support in making this unique opportunity possible.”
Adam Smith Scholarships, part of Fife College, is one of the largest college scholarship programmes in Scotland, awarding thousands of pounds each year to support students, develop opportunities, open doors, and transform lives.
For further details about scholarships at Fife College, visit the Adam Smith Scholarships page or email scholarships@fife.ac.uk.
Photograph: (l to r) Dennis Savage, Assistant Principal for Engineering, Construction and Technical Skills at Fife College (left) and Lyn Gold, Scholarship and Alumni Lead at Fife College (right) are pictured presenting Emillie Ramsay (middle left) and Paige Flockhart (middle right) with their scholarship awards at Fife College’s end-of-year Art & Design Show at Rothes Halls in Glenrothes.