2018 is set to be a record-breaking year for the annual BEFTAs – the new name for the UTV Business Eye Awards – which have been revamped as a result of the partnership between Business Eye and lead sponsor, First Trust Bank.
The total number of entries for the 2018 Awards, across 18 categories, is by far the biggest volume received during the 14-year history of Northern Ireland’s leading business awards.
Across every category, the judging panel were faced with a difficult choice to make between high quality submissions according to Richard Buckley, Editor of Business Eye, who said;
“The step up in both quantity and quality this year is dramatic. In some categories, our judging panel faced an almost impossible task to differentiate between exceptional entries from some of our very best home-grown businesses. The quality, and the quantity, of entries is reflected in the comprehensive shortlist for this year’s BEFTA Awards.”
The 2018 judging panel sat down at The Resolution Centre, a meeting facility based at The Boat on Belfast’s Donegall Quay, to make the tough calls for this year’s awards. The event will take place on Thursday, 22nd November, at ICC Belfast, the new name for the Belfast Waterfront Conference Centre.
Fellow judge, Ann McSorley, Head of Corporate at First Trust Bank added;
“After supporting the small business awards for the past four years, acknowledging the best and brightest business owners and entrepreneurs from our small business community, it was only natural to join Business Eye in celebrating growth across our business community as a whole.
“The high calibre of entries from every sector and corner of Northern Ireland made for a lively and difficult discussions for the judges, but we were all left with a great sense of optimism after discovering undeniable levels of passion, innovation and growth locally. We offer our congratulations to all those who made it onto the shortlist and look forward to celebrating the leaders in our business community at the new-look BEFTA awards later this month.”
A limited number of tables are still available for what promises to be a sparkling awards event attended by upwards of 600 of the great and good from Northern Ireland’s business community. In addition to the awards, hosted by Marc Mallett, guests will be entertained on the night by Scotland’s Drums n’ Roses and Re-Take That, the UK and Ireland’s top Take That tribute band.
Click here to book a table