BEFTAs 2018 – Down Businesses called to enter the new look Business Awards.
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 BEFTAs 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 sponsor, First Trust Bank.
The BEFTAs 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.
This year’s revamped awards will offer local companies and leaders the opportunity to enter a total of 18 categories covering every aspect of business in line with growth, emerging trends and focus across the region.
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 BEFTAs will take place once again at Belfast Waterfront on Thursday, 22nd November under its new name and backing of new lead sponsor, First Trust Bank, with a revamped category line-up for 2018. New categories 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.
First Trust Bank, a key supporter of the Northern Ireland business community, has partnered with 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.
Speaking at the launch of BEFTAs Seamus McGuckin, Head of Business Banking, First Trust Bank said;
“In the last year against ongoing challenges and uncertainty, much of Northern Ireland’s business community has gone above and beyond standard practice, showing levels of creativity and innovation that can inspire others. We are delighted to join Business Eye in celebrating these stand-out organisations and leaders in our business community at the new-look BEFTA business awards this autumn.”
The closing date for entries to the BEFTAs 2018 will be Friday, 19th October. More information on criteria and how to enter can be found here: www.businesseyeawards.co.uk.
List of Categories for 2018:
* Company of the Year – sponsored by First Trust Bank
* Young Business Personality of the Year – sponsored by Ulster University
* Tourism & Hospitality Company of the Year – sponsored by Visit Belfast
* Exporter of the Year
* Employer of the Year
* Medium/Mid-Sized Business of the Year
* Fast Growth Business of the Year – sponsored by Fleet Financial
* Innovative Business of The Year
* Agri Food Award
* Family Business of The Year – sponsored by Harbinson Mulholland
* Technology Company of the Year
* Waste Reduction Project of the Year – sponsored by ISL
* Research & Development Award – sponsored by Momentum Group
* Community (CSR) Award
* Executive Support Professional of the Year – sponsored by Honeycomb
* Manufacturer of the Year
* Professional Services Firm of the Year
