Northern Ireland’s leading business awards are back, with a new name but a well established reputation as the very best of their kind on the local business scene.
The BEFTA’s 2018, an exciting new version of Northern Ireland’s longest running business awards, are the result of a partnership between the experienced team at Business Eye and lead sponsors First Trust Bank.
The awards will offer local companies and business leaders the opportunity to enter a total of 18 categories covering every aspect of business across the region.
The BEFTA’s are a natural successor to the UTV Business Eye Awards which have been honouring our leading companies, organisations and business leaders for the past 13 years.
Last year’s awards showcased an impressive array of winners at a memorable awards night held at the showpiece Belfast Waterfront venue in front of a 600-strong audience.
Newry convenience food manufacturer Around Noon lifted the coveted Company of the Year award, while meat entrepreneur Peter Hannan was named as Business Personality of the Year.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, meanwhile, was presented to the recently retired former Chief Executive of Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Roy Adair.
Other key winners included Axiom Law in the Employer of the Year category, Environmental Street Furniture in International Business with Wilsons Auctions named as Family Business of the Year.
This year’s BEFTA’s will take place, once again at Belfast Waterfront, on Thursday, 22nd November, with a new name, a new lead sponsor in First Trust Bank and a new line-up for 2018.
First Trust Bank, a key supporter of the Northern Ireland business community, has partnered Business Eye on the annual Business Eye First Trust Bank Small Business Awards for the past three years, a successful partnership that now moves to a new level.
The closing date for entries to the BEFTA’s 2018 will be Friday, 19th October, with the judging panel due to meet in early November.
And local companies and individuals will be able to enter no less than 18 different categories covering most aspects of the local economy and business life.
New categories for 2018 include an award for Northern Ireland’s Medium/Mid-Sized Company of the Year, the region’s Manufacturer of the Year and overdue recognition for our top Professional Services Firm as well as our leading Executive Support Professional.