Eleven NI businesses entered into UK FSB finals
World renowned engineering firm, leading communication/tech services and an artist from County Down are all winners at the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards, Northern Ireland – showcasing 2023’s most inspiring small businesses.
Eleven winning Northern Ireland businesses are going forward to the national
UK FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2023 finals.
Winners on the day included Rostrevor-based, Jacqueline Rooney Art who took home the Self-Employed/Freelancer of the Year Award for her growing art business at the foot of the Mournes.
Newtownabbey companyInspecVision Ltd, the creators of a range of precision inspection machines for industrial applications, is one of the businesses that has been crowned one of Northern Ireland’s best small businesses.
It was named as Northern Ireland’s Exporter of the Year, sponsored by InvestNI – one of 12 award category winners at the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards held on Wednesday in the Crowne Plaza Belfast and hosted by Sarah Travers.
The Young Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by Staffline Ireland, went to Darren Workman-Stirling who runs iTek, a successful phone and computer shop and repair service business in Magherafelt which he founded in 2014.
The full list of winners includes:
Self-employed/freelancer of the Year
Winner: Jacqueline Rooney Ltd, Rostrevor.
Sustainability Award sponsored by HSBC UK
Winner: Killeavey Castle Estate, Newry.
Micro Business of the Year sponsored by Tyl by Natwest
Winner: Bluefield Houseboats, Ballynahinch.
Business & Product Innovation sponsored by Innovate NI
Winner: CET Cyrospas Ltd, Dromore.
Community Award sponsored by STEP (Mid Ulster)
Winner: Hagan Homes, Ballyclare.
Inclusion & Diversity Award
Winner: Wysebites, Cookstown.
Service Excellence sponsored by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
Winner: Cassidy Hospitality Group, Enniskillen.
Exporter of the Year sponsored by InvestNI
Winner: InspecVision Ltd, Newtownabbey.
Family Business of the Year sponsored by Aldermore
Winner: The TransferTutor, Newtownabbey
Larger Small Business of the Year sponsored by McKees
Winner: TODD Architects, Belfast.
Start-up of the Year sponsored by Ulster University Business School
Winner: Revive! Auto Innovations Belfast
Young Entrepreneur of the year sponsored by Staffline
Winner: Darren Workman Stirling, iTekNI, Magherafelt.
Brendan Kearney, Regional Chair FSB Northern Ireland, said: “Congratulations to all of our category winners today and indeed all those wonderful small businesses who were shortlisted for the finals.
“With some difficult challenges over the last few years and the current cost of doing business climate, it is overwhelming to see how many of our members and local SMEs are still thriving showing great resilience, creativity and innovation.
“Thanks to our sponsors who have shown great support for the event today and we wish all of our winners the best of luck in the UK finals in May where they will represent Northern Ireland with pride”.
“The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards celebrate the best small businesses from the length and breadth of the country, offering national recognition for those who have made the biggest impression over the last 12 months.
“Twelve area awards finals take place between February and April, with the UK finals taking place at a VIP attended awards ceremony on 18 May in Birmingham,” added Brendan Kearney.
