Title Sponsor of the awards – Clark
The Kildare Business Awards was held on Friday Night (18th November ) in The K Club at A Gala Ball with over 300 business leaders in attendance. The event is a county wide awards recognising the entrepreneurialism, innovation, diversity and talent of businesses across all sectors. The awards honour industry leaders through the acknowledgement of innovative business processes, product development, enterprise, sustainability and overall business success.
The recipient of “The Outstanding Contribution to Business Award for 2016” was Stan McCarthy, CEO of the Kerry Group. In accepting the award to a standing ovation, Mr McCarthy thanked the Chamber and the business community in Kildare for the welcome the Kerry group has received since they opened their doors in Millennium Park in 2013.
Award winners on the night were:
Business of the year: Finlay Motor Group
Corporate Social Responsibility Award: Intel
E Commerce/Social Media Award: Kildare Now
Retail Excellence Award: Sheehy Motor Group
Networker of the year: Linda Gill Ryan Essential Driver and Safety Training Solutions
Entrepreneur of the year: Aileen O’Brien O’Brien PR
Innovation and Technology Award: Crystal Air PCM Ltd.
High Potential Start Up Award: Meat and More
SME of the Year: Finlay Motor Group
Tourism and Hospitality Award: Picaderos
Clark were title sponsors of this year awards, Deirdre Coghlan Murray said on the night “We congratulate you all on taking part in this occasion and acknowledge the hard work and commitment of all the people behind the entrants for the awards. It is your people who are your most valuable resource and this evening is about taking a moment to recognise and celebrate all that you have achieved”.
Vivian Cummins, President of the Chamber said in his opening address, “The Chamber is all about its members and meeting their needs, and to see 300 business leaders here tonight celebrating a great year for business in the county is truly exceptional”.
Alison Redmond and Jennifer Forster – North Kildare Chamber
CEO Kildare County Council Peter Carey and Catherine Carey
Linda Gill Ryan, Essential Driver and Safety Training Solutions (Winner of Networker of the year Award) with sponsor Tracey Costello from KBC Bank
Aileen O’Brien of O’Brien PR winner of Entrepreneur of the year with Michael Moriarty sponsor of the award from Education Training Boards Ireland, Deirdre Coghlan Murray of Clark and President of the Chamber Vivian Cummins
John Dunne of JF Dunne Insurances, sponsor of the Tourism and Hospitality Award with MC Brian Purcell
Kildare Now winner of the E Commerce/Social Media Award with sponsors Graphedia
Frank Kelly of Sheehy Motor Group, winner of Retail Excellence Award with sponsor Robert Walsh of Ladytown Business Park and Title Sponsor Deirdre Coghlan Murray of Clark and Chamber President Vivian Cummins
Head of LEO Kildare Jacqui McNabb presenting the HPSU Award to Meat and More
Kerry Group sponsor of the Innovation and Technology Award winners Crystal Air PCM Ltd
Bank of Ireland sponsors of the SME Business of the year Award with winners Finlay Motor Group
Luke Hanahoe wins two VIP tickets for the Ireland V Australia match courtesy of Bank of Ireland
CSR Winners this year were Intel, pictured with sponsors Hanahoe and Hanahoe Solicitors
John Hogan of Devlin Media presents North Kildare Chamber with the Public Sector Business Organisation of the Year for 2016
Finlay Motor Group won Overall Business of the Year, sponsored by The Dooley Insurance Group
Stan McCarthy receives the “Outstanding Contribution to Business” Award for 2016 sponsored by North Kildare Chamber and pictured with Deirdre Coghlan Murray of Clark and Vivian Cummins President of the Chamber