Directors in Co Down were urged to have their success recognised as Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, officially launched the 2013-2014 Institute of Directors (IoD) NI Director of the Year Awards.
The esteemed awards, sponsored by Abbey Bond Lovis, are the pinnacle of business success in Northern Ireland and are highly regarded as the most prestigious industry accolade in the region.
The awards are open to all business leaders in Northern Ireland, whether they are IoD members or not, and encompass all sectors of the economy.
Applicants are invited to enter across eight categories.
Minister Farry said: “Leadership and management skills are a key factor in fostering innovation, unlocking the potential of the workforce, increasing productivity and growing our economy.
“The IoD Director of The Year Awards celebrate excellence in leadership which is fundamental to creating the ambition, confidence, and skills to respond to the current economic conditions and compete successfully, both nationally and globally.”
The Director of the Year Awards are part of a UK-wide programme that sets the standard for directors. IoD NI Divisional Director, Linda Brown, said: “The Institute of Directors plays a significant role in mentoring and assisting leaders through its extensive programme of education and support.
“We have world class leaders in Northern Ireland implementing good corporate governance which, in turn, translates to business success. The Director of the Year Awards recognise and reward that success.
“We have members from across the public, private and third sectors, with business leaders from a wide range of industries from companies of all sizes – and the award categories reflect that broad diversity of membership.
“The awards identify the ‘best of the best’ business leaders within Northern Ireland, who will then be nominated to compete against their counterparts from across the UK in the national awards as well as being shortlisted for the IoD Lunn’s Award of Excellence presented at the IoD Annual Dinner.
“Last year five directors of Northern Ireland businesses were shortlisted for the finals of the national Director of the Year Awards, demonstrating the high calibre of our business leaders.”
The IoD Northern Ireland Director of the Year Awards celebrate excellence across eight categories:
1. Director of the Year for a Small and Medium Company (small & medium company – 250 or fewer employees)
2. Director of the Year for a Large Company (large company – over 250 employees)
3. Young Director of the Year Award (under the age of 42 at time of entry)
4. Public / Third Sector Director of the Year
5. Director of the Year for Leadership in Corporate Responsibility
6. Family Business Director of the Year
7. Global Director of the Year
8. Non-Executive Director of the Year
Maurice Boyd, Managing Director of Abbey Bond Lovis and principal sponsor, commented: “At Abbey Bond Lovis we work with the leading businesses across Northern Ireland so we are delighted to be once again sponsoring the Director of the Year Awards which celebrate their excellence in business leadership and exceptional contribution to the local economy.
“We feel that this is vital in an often challenging economic environment. Covering all sectors, experiences and skills, the awards are testament to our outstanding business leaders in Northern Ireland.”
In 2012 Karen Dundee from Galgorm Manor Hotel was named SME Director of the Year, Karen Brady from mxb picked up the award for Young Director of the Year, Helen Kirkpatrick from UTV Media plc received the accolade for Non-Executive Director of the Year and Yvonne Mallon from B/E Aerospace was recognised as Leader of the Year in Corporate Responsibility.
John McMullan from Bryson Charitable Group won Third Sector Director of the Year,
David Dobbin from United Dairy Farmers picked up the award for Large Company Director of the Year, and Family Business Director of the Year went to David Robinson from Robinson Services Limited.
The IoD Director of the Year Awards, which take place on 29 November at The Merchant Hotel in Belfast, are now open to all business leaders across the province.
The winners will be selected from a panel of leading business and media figures.
Criteria for all the awards can be viewed at www.iodni.com
Application forms can be downloaded from www.iodni.com or by contacting Linda Brown on 028 9068 3224.
Closing date for applications is 30 September 2013.
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