Category: News

The Kingsbridge Healthcare Group, hotels entrepreneur Eugene McKeever and FinTrU Chief Executive Darragh McCarthy were among the high-profile business organisations and personalities honoured at the AIB  Business Eye Awards 2024, held at ICC Belfast last night (Thursday, 24^th October).

More than 600 business guests attended Northern Ireland’s leading business awards, now in their 18^th year.

Eugene McKeever, Founder of Chairman of the McKeever Hotel Group, picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Darragh McCarthy, the driving force behind the fast-growing FinTrU, was recognised as this year’s Business Personality of the Year.

It was another highly successful night for FinTrU. The company won Diversity & Inclusion Award and was Highly Commended in the Employer of the Year category.

But one of the blue riband awards of the evening, Company of the Year, went to Kingsbridge Healthcare Group, the subject of one of Northern Ireland’s biggest corporate deals of the past year when it secured a £300 million investment from London private equity firm Exponent.

Northern Ireland’s largest B2B telecoms firm Barclay Group was named as this year’s Family Business of the Year, while Newry’s Killeavy Castle Estate took the coveted Green/Sustainable Award.

This year’s Manufacturer of the Year is Mallusk-based Brett Martin while electric vehicle recharging specialists Weev took the Small Business of the Year title. Hastings Hotels came out on top in a hotly-contested Tourism & Hospitality Award category.

“If these awards are a barometer of the local economy and business performance, then we’re in a very good place,” said Business Eye’s Richard Buckley. “We had a record entry, some of the best quality entries we’ve ever had, and the audience at the event was larger than it has been since well before the pandemic.

“What’s more, the winners we’ve honoured at the awards reflect the very best of business achievement here in Northern Ireland.”

Roisin Keenan, Head of Business Banking at AIB Northern Ireland said:

“We are very proud of our long-standing partnership with the Business Eye awards programme, celebrating the best of the Northern Ireland business community. Once again, the competition was fierce, local companies are continually excelling in innovation, creativity and determination to make their mark with customers and the communities they serve. 

“It’s a privilege to celebrate the success of our local business leaders and we extend our warmest congratulations to all the finalists and winners, especially to Kingsbridge Healthcare, Eugene McKeever and Darragh McCarthy for their outstanding achievements.” 

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 (9^th 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)

Ballyclare housebuilder James Hagan, Belfast restaurant owner Niall McKeown and serial entrepreneur Dr.Terry Cross were among the high-profile business figures honoured at the AIB Business Eye Awards 2023, held at ICC Belfast on Thursday, 30th November.

Almost 700 business guests attended Northern Ireland’s leading business awards, now in their 17th year.

James Hagan, founder of Hagan Homes, one of Northern Ireland’s largest housebuilders, picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award and enjoyed a double award success when his company was named as winner of a new category, the Property/Construction Company of the Year.

Dr.Terry Cross, founder of both Hinch Distillery and Belfast sustainable packaging firm Biopax, received the Leadership & Management Award.

In the top two awards, Niall McKeown of Waterman House and James Street in Belfast city centre was named as Business Personality of the Year, and also scored a double while his two restaurants and cooking school also took the top award in the Tourism & Hospitality Company category.

FinTrU, the fast-growing financial software company now employing 1,400 people across its Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Letterkenny and Portuguese offices picked up the Company of the Year title for the second year running. The company was also named as Employer of the Year.

Belfast’s newly redeveloped Custom House won the Commercial Property Development Project award, while retail group Musgrave NI lifted another new award recognising the strides made in Diversity & Inclusion.

In the CSR category, Belfast Harbour came out on top while Mallusk-based manufacturer Brett Martin was honoured as the Green/Sustainable Company of the Year. The Family Business of the Year Award went to Northern Ireland’s largest family business, Henderson Retail.

“If these awards are a barometer of the local economy and business performance, then we’re in a good place,” said Business Eye’s Richard Buckley. “We had a record entry, some of the best quality entries we’ve ever had, and the audience at the event was larger than it has been since well before the pandemic.

“What’s more, the winners we’ve honoured at the awards reflect the very best of business achievement here in Northern Ireland.”

Brian Gillan, Head of Retail and NI at AIB added;

“AIB has a very proud and long-standing awards partnership with Business Eye and we were delighted to once again join with them to celebrate the best of Northern Ireland business. The competition was fierce this year, with local companies going above and beyond to make their mark with customers and the communities they serve. We would like to congratulate all those shortlisted and of course our deserving winners who excelled in their respective fields.”

AIB Business Eye Awards Winners 2023

Commercial Property Development Project of the Year Winner: Custom House Belfast 

Construction & Property Company of the Year Highly Commended: Cole Groundwork Solutions & Todd Architects 
Construction & Property Company of the Year Winner: Hagan Homes 

Diversity & Inclusion Award Highly Commended: First Derivative
Diversity & Inclusion Award Winner: Musgrave NI 

Employer of the Year Highly Commended: Derry Group Ireland 
Employer of the Year Winner FinTrU

Employee of the Year Highly Commended: Paddy McSherry, Autobits Autostore
Employee of the Year Winner: Sophie Maguire, Harbinson Mulholland 

Tourism & Hospitality Company of the Year Highly Commended: McKeever Hotel Group 
Tourism & Hospitality Company of the Year Winner: James St / Waterman House 

Young Business Personality of the Year Winner: Ben Boyd (Boyd Enterprises) 

CSR Award Highly Commended: Action Cancer/MCL Insuretech 
CSR Award Winner: Belfast Harbour 

Medium/Mid-Sized Company of the Year Joint Winners: Edge Innovate & Elite Electronic Systems 

Professional Services Firm of the Year Highly Commended: Collins Rolston Architects 
Professional Services Firm of the Year Winner: Wilson Nesbitt 

Manufacturer of the Year Highly Commended: Alternative Heat 
Manufacturer of the Year Highly Winner: Malplas 

Outstanding Leadership & Management Award Winner: Dr. Terry Cross 

Fast Growth Business of the Year Highly Commended: Fibrus 
Fast Growth Business of the Year Winner: Around Noon 

Green/Sustainable Company of the Year Highly Commended: AG Paving & Building products
Green/Sustainable Company of the Year Winner: Brett Martin 

Innovative Company of the Year Highly Commended: B Secur 
Innovative Company of the Year Highly Commended: Nicobrand 
Innovative Company of the Year Winner: Randox 

Family Business of the Year Highly Commended: Derry Brothers 
Family Business of the Year Highly Commended: O’Reilly’s Wholesale 
Family Business of the Year Winner: Henderson Retail 

Small Business of the Year Highly Commended: Vertical Structure 
Small Business of the Year Winner: Derry Brothers 

Business Personality of the Year Winner: Niall McKenna 

Company of the Year Highly Commended: Galgorm 
Company of the Year Highly Commended: First Derivative 
Company of the Year Highly Commended: Nitec 
Company of the Year Winner: FinTrU 

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: James Hagan 

Henderson Retail, one of Northern Ireland’s largest private sector companies, lifted the top award at last night’s NIE Networks Business Eye Family Business Awards in association with Harbinson Mulholland.

The inaugural event, aimed at Northern Ireland’s vital family-owned business sector, took place at the Culloden Estate & Spa in front of an audience of more than 400 guests.

Henderson Retail was named Family Business Of The Year at the new awards, but the list of winners on the night reflects the strength and depth of a sector which accounts for some 330,000 jobs around Northern Ireland.

The company also won the Large Business section of the Retail Business Of The Year Award with Menarys taking the Small/Medium-Sized award on the night.

Belfast-based IT services firm Nimbus lifted the Service Sector Excellence Award while the CSR Award went to prolific charity supporters and local house builders, Hagan Homes.

The award for Emerging Family Business of the Year went to Portadown-based craft beer producers McCracken’s Brewery, whilst the Hospitality & Tourism category was won by fast-expanding coffee and food chain Bob & Berts.

In the important Employer of the Year category, the two winners were local design agency Whitenoise and the McKeever Hotel Group, owners of properties including the Dunadry Hotel & Gardens and Corrs Corner Hotel.

The Manufacturing Excellence Award, meanwhile, went to Kilkeel’s Copes Technologies in the SME division and to Edge Innovate, based in Dungannon, amongst the larger companies.

“We’ve felt for some time that there was space, and demand, for dedicated awards aimed at the family business sector here in Northern Ireland and we’re delighted to have been able to launch this new set of awards,” says Brenda Buckley of Business Eye, the company behind the annual AIB Business Eye Awards which take place in November.

“But we were particularly pleased to see a really big, high quality entry for the first year of the awards and to be able to welcome more than 400 guests to the Culloden Estate & Spa for a memorable evening celebrating the very best of family business here.”

Full list Of Winners:

Retail Family Business of The Year
SME Winner: Menarys
Large Company Winner: Henderson Retail

Service Sector Excellence Award
Highly Commended: Workpal
Winner: Nimbus

CSR Family Business of The Year
Winner: Hagan Homes

Emerging Family Business of The Year
Winner: McCracken’s Brewery

Food & Drink Family Business of The Year
SME Winner: Fish City
Large Company Winner: TS Foods

Hospitality & Tourism Family Business of The Year
Winner: Bob & Berts

Next Generation Family Business Leader
SME Winner: Shona Mulholland (John Mulholland Motors)
Large Company Winner: Alan Mercer (Hillmount)

Most Innovative Family Business of The Year
SME Winner: Environmental Street Furniture
Large Company Winner: Energystore

Employer of The Year
Highly Commended: Industry Training Services
SME Winner: Whitenoise
Large Company Winner: McKeever Hotel Group

Construction & Property Family Business of The Year
Highly Commended: McGinnis Group
Winner: M&M Contractors

Manufacturing Excellence Award
SME Winner: Copas Technologies
Large Company Winner: Edge Innovate

Fastest Growing Family Business of The Year
Winner: Shelbourne Motors

Family Business Legacy Award
Highly Commended: Safe Gas NI
Winner: Diamond Systems

Family Business of The Year Award
Highly Commended: Uform
Highly Commended: AG Paving & Building Products
Winner: Henderson Retail

The clock is ticking! Final call for entries to the AIB Business Eye Awards 2021

The deadline is fast approaching for the 2021 AIB Business Eye Awards, as Northern Ireland businesses are called upon to enter by 27th September 2021.

The leading business awards which are now in their 15th year, celebrate high-achieving local companies and business leaders across 16 categories. As we emerge from the pandemic, this year includes three new special categories to honour the individual heroes, innovation and response of companies here in tackling the impacts of the pandemic on the business sector.

The closing date for entries is Monday 27th September 2021 and the judging panel will meet shortly thereafter with a view to publishing the shortlist in October. The Awards ceremony will be held at the ICC, Belfast on Thursday 11th November 2021, with full details released closer to the time. To enter, visit: www.businesseyeawards.co.uk

Northern Ireland’s leading business awards have been launched for the spring of 2021 with a special virtual broadcast.

The 2021 AIB Business Eye Awards now in its 15^th year, were launched at virtual event streamed live from NIAVAC’s hybrid studio in Belfast. Business Eye’s Richard Buckley and Brian Gillan, Head of Retail & NI at AIB, hosted the event which also included a live interview with previous award winner, Darragh McCarthy, Founder and CEO of FinTrU.

The AIB Business Eye Awards 2020 were originally planned for 26^th November this year, but along with all other major events were postponed as a result of the Covid pandemic. The awards, honouring leading companies, organisations and business leaders, will instead take place on 13^th May 2021 and the closing date for entries is 9^th April 2021.

“The Covid crisis has hit the economy and the business community hard here in Northern Ireland, as it has elsewhere, but it’s really important that businesses and their employees can have something to look forward to, as well as something that recognises the hard work they put in day after day…whether they’re doing that from the office or from home,” says Brenda Buckley, Director of Business Eye.

 “We are hopeful that by May of next year, we will be able to welcome award winners, companies, business leaders and guests back to the kind of awards event we’ve all enjoyed so much over the year.”

Last year’s awards showcased an impressive array of winners at a memorable awards night held at ICC Belfast venue in front of a 750-strong audience.

Newry-based First Derivatives, one of the leaders in the dynamic fintech sector in Northern Ireland, lifted the coveted ‘Company of the Year’ award, while Brian McConville, Chairman of the MJM Group, was named as ‘Business Personality of the Year’.

Other key winners included Lisburn’s Creative Composites as ‘Manufacturer of the Year’, Armagh food processors Davisons in the ‘Family Business’ category and Harbinson Mulholland as the ‘Professional Services Firm’ of the Year.

The 2021 AIB Business Eye Awards spans 16 categories and includes some new awards.

“We felt that it was important that we recognised that we have been through the Covid era, so we will be honouring business leaders and companies who have risen up to and above the challenge of the pandemic,” adds Richard Buckley, Editor of Business Eye.

AIB, a key supporter of the Northern Ireland business community, has partnered Business Eye on its business awards for the past four years.

“These awards are an excellent platform to showcase and celebrate success and in doing so, encourage more organisations to prioritise growth, particularly in these difficult times.” says Brian Gillan, Head of Retail & NI, AIB UK

“A key pillar of AIB’s focus is to support businesses to overcome adversity and grow. In the past year, we’ve come across even more inspiring and innovative Stories of Brave from local companies as the tackle the double pronged challenges of Brexit and Covid. We encourage all our local business leaders to enter the awards and help celebrate success stories and best practice.”

The closing date for entries is Friday, 9^th April 2021, with the judging panel due to meet shortly afterwards. Companies and individuals will be able to enter no less than 16 different categories covering most aspects of the local economy and business life.

 

 

Adrian Moynihan, Head of First Trust Bank and Brenda Buckley, Commercial Director, Business Eye Magazine launch the First Trust Bank Business Eye Awards 2019 at ICC Belfast.

Northern Ireland’s leading business awards are back for the 14^th consecutive year, with a new name but a well established reputation as the very best of their kind on the local business scene.

The First Trust Bank Business Eye Awards are 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.

This year’s awards will be presented at a gala evening on Thursday, 28^th November, at ICC Belfast and 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 Business Eye Awards 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 ICC Belfast venue in front of a 600-strong audience.

Belfast-based FinTrU, one of the leaders in the dynamic fintech sector in Northern Ireland, lifted the coveted Company of the Year award, while entrepreneur and business leader Tina McKenzie was named as Business Personality of the Year.

Other key winners included Denroy Group as Manufacturer of the Year, Mash Direct in the Family Business category and PKF-FPM Accountants as the Professional Services Firm of the Year.

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 four years, a successful partnership that has moved to a new level.

Brenda Buckley, Commercial Director of Business Eye, says that the Awards are a clear leader in the Northern Ireland business community. “There is no doubt that these are the awards that local businesses want to win, and our annual awards night in November has grown to become one of the best nights of the year on the local business calendar.

“These awards mean a lot to those who win them…to their management teams, to their employees and to their customers.”

“First Trust Bank works with businesses of all sizes and in every sector across Northern Ireland” says Adrian Moynihan Head of First trust Bank. “We are delighted to continue to work with the Business Eye team on these awards. Despite all of the challenges, organisations in Northern Ireland continue to innovate and inspire. We’re looking forward to celebrating a range of business success stories at the awards event in November.”

The closing date for entries will be Friday, 25^th October, with the judging panel due to meet in early November. Companies and individuals will be able to enter no less than 18 different categories covering most aspects of the local economy and business life.

Entries can be completed online at www.businesseye.co.uk/submit-entry

Full list of award categories is as follows:

• Company of the Year
• Young Business Personality of the Year
• Tourism & Hospitality Company of the Year 
• Medium/Mid-Sized Business of the Year 
• Innovative Company of The Year
• Family Business Of The Year
• Research & Development Project of the Year
• Community (CSR) Award
• Executive Support Professional of the Year
• Manufacturer of the Year
• Professional Services Firm of the Year
• Exporter of the Year 
• Employer of the Year 
• Fast Growth Business of the Year
• Agri Food Business of the Year Award
• Technology Company of the Year
• Green Company of the Year
• Small Business of the Year

‘Business Personality of the Year’ Accolade goes to Tina McKenzie

Belfast businesswoman Tina McKenzie has been named ‘Business Personality of the Year’ at the 2018 BEFTAs, the Business Eye First Trust Bank Business Awards. Meanwhile, the overall ‘Company of the Year’ accolade went to financial services specialists FinTrU, who also completed a rare double by picking up the award for ‘Fast Growth Business of the Year’.

The awards, now in their 13^th year and re-branded from the former UTV Business Eye Awards, were presented at a glittering ceremony attended by a 600-strong business audience at ICC Belfast last night (Thursday, 22^nd November). Sponsored by First Trust Bank, the awards honoured companies and business leaders across 18 different categories, rewarding growth, innovation and commitment to CSR, the environment and people development.

Tina McKenzie was chosen by the judging panel for steering the growth of the Staffline Group in the Northern Ireland marketplace, and for her contribution to the local economy as a prolific spokesperson on business issues in her role as NI Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses.

Financial services group FinTrU, set to grow to over 800 employees here over the coming years, took the ‘Company of the Year’ title at the 2018 BEFTAs. The company, led by founder and CEO Darragh McCarthy, was also named as ‘Fast Growth Business of the Year’, following the recent rapid growth of the business, only formed in December 2013.

Multi-award-winning Mash Direct took the ‘Family Business of the Year’ award, while Bangor-based Denroy Plastics was named as ‘Manufacturer of the Year’.

In other awards, PKF-FPM Accountants were inaugural winners in a new ‘Professional Services Firm of the Year’ category. Meanwhile, a hotly-contested’ Young Business Personality of the Year’ title was awarded jointly to Maire Claire Reid of Ballymena-based haulage firm TST Transport and Gavin Halpin of Belfast animation/TV house Paper Owl Films.

Speaking at the awards, Adrian Moynihan, Head of First Trust Bank said;

“The BEFTAs are Northern Ireland’s longest running business awards and are an opportunity to celebrate the stand-out organisations and leaders in our business community, while very importantly recognising the value of their achievements to our economy and wider society. 

Everyone who has been shortlisted and our winners should be very proud of their achievements.  

“The event is also an important platform to beat the drum for the Northern Ireland business community and given the uncertain times we live in, politically and economically, we must ensure our voices are heard loud and clear at this critical time.

“Last week we saw a significant and positive step forward in Brexit negotiations with the publication of the draft Withdrawal Agreement and a date set for the EU Summit. While maybe not perfect, we agree with the views and position of the leading Northern Ireland business organisations and representative groups who have voiced their support for the draft Agreement. It is clear that most business leaders understand and agree that a ‘No Deal’ Brexit could be hugely damaging for our economy and is simply not an option. This deal at last brings some certainty and allows us to turn our attention to the future trade relationship with the EU – safe in the knowledge that we have a transition period to negotiate it and a backstop to fall back on should those negotiations fail.”

Richard Buckley, Editor of Business Eye added;

“Business Eye is proud to have been organising Northern Ireland’s foremost business awards for the past 13 years. Against a challenging backdrop, it’s really important for business success, by both companies and individuals to be recognised in this way. We had a record-breaking entry in 2018 and both the scale and quality of that entry illustrates the strength of the local business sector.”

Commenting on their award success, FinTrU Founder & CEO, Darragh McCarthy, said:

“I am delighted that the dedication and high-quality work of the employees here at FinTrU has been recognised in this way. FinTrU is a ‘people business’ and our employees are a critical driver of our success.”

Speaking about her recognition as ‘Business Personality of the Year’, Tina McKenzie said;

“It is an absolute honour to receive the award for Business Personality of The Year – a big thank you to my teams who work tirelessly to allow me the freedom to give back in other ways and also the team at FSB NI. I am proud to be part of the wider NI business community where we all support each other.” 

 

Full List of Winners

The full list of winners of the BEFTA18 Awards are:

Award	Sponsor	Winner(s)
Business Personality of the Year	First Trust Bank	Tina McKenzie, Group MD, Staffline Ireland
Company of the Year	First Trust Bank	FinTrU
Young Business Personality of the Year	Ulster University	Maire Claire Reid, TST Transport & Gavin Halpin, Paper Owl Films
Exporter of the Year	Business Eye	Telestack
Employer of the Year	Clear Channel	Action Cancer
Family Business of the Year	Harbinson Mullholland	Mash Direct
Agri Food Innovation Award	Musgrave	Davison Canners
Tourism & Hospitality Project of the Year	Visit Belfast	Andras House Group
Fast Growth Business of the Year	Fleet Financial	FinTrU
Manufacturer of the Year	Nimbus CS	Denroy Plastics
Technology Company of the Year	U105	First Derivatives
Innovative Business of the Year	Business Eye	Neurovalens
Medium Mid-Sized Business of the Year	QUB Leadership Institute/ Chief Executive’s Club	AMI
Professional Services Firm of the Year	Davy	PKF-FPM Accountants
Waste Reduction Project of the Year	ISL Waste Management	Pritchitts
R&D Project of the Year	Momentum Group	Bloc Blinds
Community (CSR) Award	Community Foundation NI	ATG Group
Exec Support Professional of the Year	Honeycomb	Janine Smalls, Homecare Independent Living

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