Mallusk-based plastic sheet manufacturer Brett Martin and West Belfast packaging firm Biopax lifted the top Company of the Year awards at the 2024 Business Eye Sustainability Awards in association with Strategic Power Connect.
The second annual awards took place on Thursday evening (9th May) at the Culloden Estate & Spa, with more than 350 guests in attendance.
Brett Martin took the award in the larger company category with Biopax picking up the award for SMEs. Philip McMichael, Chief Executive of Belfast IT disposal and recycling specialists Vyta took the Sustainable Business Leader of the Year title.
The gala awards evening, hosted by the BBC’s Mark Simpson, saw awards being presented across a line-up of 14 different categories.
Wilsons Country, Northern Ireland’s leading producer of potato products, took the honours in the Sustainable Food & Drink Company category while the innovative Killeavy Castle Estate outside Newry came out on top amongst the Tourism & Hospitality contenders.
Lidl Northern Ireland was named as Sustainable Retailer of the Year while the Sustainable Manufacturing title went to AG Paving & Building Products.
The awards evening produced a double for Co. Down based construction group GRAHAM. The company lifted the Sustainability Team of the Year award in addition to the Net Zero/Carbon Reduction Award.
“We were delighted with the Business Eye Sustainability Awards last year, when we launched them for the first time,” says Richard Buckley of Business Eye. “This year, it was obvious that sustainability continues to grow in importance for local organisations across every sector.
“Our judging panel was impressed by the stories of innovation, of investment and of commitment to the sustainability cause that jumped out of this year’s excellent entries.”
The awards judging panel included Steven Agnew, Director of RenewableNI, Dr. Marc Duffy from Ulster University, Deloitte Sustainability Lead Gareth Martin and Liam Faulkner, Chief Executive of Strategic Power Connect.
“We’re really pleased to be associated with Northern Ireland’s leading Sustainability Awards,” added Strategic Power Group Managing Director Paul Carson. “There is clear evidence that local companies are taking their sustainability duties much more seriously year after year.
“We all have a long way to go on this journey, but these awards show once again that Northern Ireland companies are committed to improving the local environment, and the planet, for all of us.”
Eco Developer of The Year
Winner: Strand Homes
Sustainable Food & Drink Company of the Year
Winner: Wilsons Country
Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Business of the Year
Winner: Killeavy Castle
Sustainable Retail Business of the Year
Winner: Lidl
Green Building of The Year
Highly Commended – Graham
Winner: OH Office Developments
Sustainable Transport Award
Highly Commended – Weev
Winner: Translink
Major Project of The Year
Highly Commended – M&M Contractors
Winner: Alternative Heat
Sustainable Manufacturing Business of The Year
Highly Commended – Biopax
Winner: A&G Paving
Net Zero/Carbon Reduction Award
Highly Commended – Larchfield Estate
Winner: Graham
Innovation in Sustainability Award
Highly Commended – Fish City
Winner: Environmental Street Furniture
Sustainable Team of the Year
Highly Commended – Version 1
Winner: Graham
Young Sustainability Champion Award
Highly Commended – Donna Harkin – Tetra Tech
Highly Commended – Jamie Hamilton – Odyssey
Winner: Jordan Birt – BITC
Sustainable Business Leader of The Year
Highly Commended – Roger Alexander – Cubic3
Winner: Philip McMichael – Vyta
Sustainable Company of the Year
SME winner:
Highly Commended – Cundall (SME category)
Winner: Biopax (SME category)
Large Company winner:
Highly Commended – Henry Brothers (large category)
Highly Commended – Musgrave Northern Ireland (large Category)
Winner: Brett Martin (large category)