Northern Ireland’s Leading Sustainable Businesses to be Celebrated on 15th May The third annual Business Eye Sustainability & ESG Awardswere officially launched on Friday, 7th March, at Custom House, Belfast.
The awards event will take place onThursday 15th May 2025, at the prestigious Culloden Estate & Spa, celebrating the companies and business leaders making a significant impact in sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) excellence across Northern Ireland.
With 15 award categories spanning key sectors—including food & drink, hospitality & tourism, manufacturing, and retail—the awards will recognise businesses that demonstrate outstanding commitment to sustainable practices. The evening’s highlights will be the prestigious titles of Sustainable Company of the Year & Sustainable Business Leader of the Year.
These awards will honour those drivinginnovation and leadership in sustainable business practices, reinforcing the growing importance of ESG in corporate strategy.
Richard Buckley, Editor of Business Eye, commented: “Sustainability and ESG are now at the heart of business strategy, influencing how companies operate and engage with their stakeholders. We continue to see remarkable innovation from businesses across Northern Ireland, and these awards are designed to honour and reward those efforts.”
Businesses of all sizes across Northern Ireland are now invited to enter, showcasing their sustainability and ESG achievements. The entry deadline is Thursday 17th April 2025. Organised by Business Eye, the team behind the AIB Business Eye Awards and the Business Eye Family Business Awards, this event continues to highlight businesses leading the way in environmental responsibility and ESG standards. For full details on award categories and entry requirements, visit the Business Eye Awards website – www.businesseyeawards.co.uk
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, 24th October).
More than 600 business guests attended Northern Ireland’s leading business awards, now in their 18th 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 (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)
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
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
FinTrU Claims Second Top Company Title at AIB Business Eye Awards
Belfast and Londonderry~Derry based FinTrU has claimed the coveted ‘Company of the Year’ title at the 2021 AIB Business Eye Awards, the second time the firm has won the award.
After a year’s absence, Northern Ireland’s largest and longest running business awards made a welcome return to ICC Belfast with an audience of more than 600 people. The AIB Business Eye Awards recognise outstanding business and individual achievements across 16 different categories.
Sam Anderson, the US-based founder of IceMOS Technology – a high performance technology group with an operation on the outskirts of West Belfast – was named as this year’s ‘Business Personality of the Year’.
There was also a special Lifetime Achievement Award for local businessman and entrepreneur, Dr Terry Cross. The former Managing Director of Delta Print & Packaging, Terry is now the driving force and investor behind County Down’s Hinch Distillery.
In other key award categories, the Q Radio Group was named as ‘Small Business of the Year’ while Belfast-based telecomms company Barclay Communications landed the ‘Family Business of the Year’ title.
AES Global, the Cookstown designer and manufacturer of remote access systems, took the ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ category, while FD Technologies, one of our largest technology employers, was presented with the ‘Employer of the Year’ trophy.
This year’s event also included a number of awards aimed specifically at corporate and individual achievement and contribution during the Covid pandemic.
The Covid Response and Covid Innovation Awards on the night went to medical equipment specialists Hospital Services Ltd and Belfast audio visual firm NIAVAC respectively while Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI, was honoured for his role in championing the retail cause throughout the pandemic.
“We were delighted to be able to bring the AIB Business Eye Awards back live to ICC Belfast after so many months of uncertainty, online awards ceremonies and a complete absence of any live business events for 18 months,” said Business Eye’s Brenda Buckley.
“We were particularly pleased to have a record-breaking number entries and to be able to welcome more than 600 guests to the venue, where we honoured some of the real high achievers and pace setters in the world of business here in Northern Ireland.”
AIB, a key supporter of the Northern Ireland business community, has partnered Business Eye on the awards for the past four years and was thrilled to celebrate local success. Brian Gillan, Head of Retail & NI, AIB said; “These awards act as a fantastic showcase of best-practice, leadership and innovation and given the challenges of the last year and more, it is quite inspirational to see the quality of work on display. We applaud all those shortlisted and of course the winners who through their success, will help encourage more organisations to develop, innovate and grow.”
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 15th 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 26th 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 13th May 2021 and the closing date for entries is 9th 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, 9th 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 14th 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, 28th 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, 25th 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.
‘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 13th 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, 22nd 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
