The Business & Finance Awards in association with KPMG have been recognising excellence in Irish business for over 40 years and is the longest running and most coveted business awards programme in Ireland. This prestigious awards programme has celebrated the outstanding achievements of individuals such as JP McManus, Neville Isdell, Michael Smurfit, Tony Ryan, Dermot Desmond, Liam O’ Mahony, Willie Walsh, Philip Lynch, Peter Sutherland, T.K. Whitaker and Denis O’ Brien as recipients of the Business Person of the Year Award.

The 45th Annual Business & Finance Irish Business Awards in association with KPMG will take place on Thursday, December 12th 2019.

The 2018 Awards saw The inaugural Sutherland Leadership Award recognising former President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso. Former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese received the 2018 TK Whitaker Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Life as part of the 44th annual Business & Finance Awards. Joe Schmidt received the Outstanding Contribution to Brand Ireland.

The 2017 Awards saw Former Taoiseach Mr. Enda Kenny TD being honoured with the TK Whitaker Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Life, Brian Moynihan received the Outstanding Achievement in Business Award, and Aidan O’Brien received the Outstanding Contribution to Brand Ireland Award.

The 2016 Business & Finance Awards honoured President of Ireland Michael D.Higgins with the Inaugural TK Whitaker Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Life,Sir Bob Geldof received the Outstanding Contribution to Ireland Award. In addition Susan Whelan, CEO, Leicester City Football Club received Global Irish Outstanding Achievement in Business Award. This 2016 awards also celebrated  A History of Irish Business Recognising 100 Great Irish Companies.

The 2015  Business & Finance Awards celebrated  Ireland’s Outstanding FDI Successes Over the last Sixty Years.  As part of the Awards Programme specifically recognised the Outstanding success of FDI across the Island of Ireland and in so doing honoured one hundred of the most significant global Investors in Ireland over a sixty year period.  This year’s awards recognised Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson with The Outstanding Contribution to Ireland Award presented by  Former Secretary General of The United Nations Kofi Annan.

The 2014 awards programme recognised four outstanding honourees in The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH and the late Albert Reynolds (Outstanding Contribution to Ireland Award),  Martin Naughton (Outstanding Achievement in Business Award) and Paul McGinley (Outstanding Contribution to Brand Ireland Award), in addition to announcing our 2014 Business Person of the Year, Company of the Year and Enterprise of the Year.

Recognised for the exceptional performance of their management teams previous winners of the Company of the Year Award include: Primark, Smurfit Kappa Group, Paddy Power Betfair, Google, CRH, Intel Ireland, First Active, United Drug, Ryanair, Iona Technologies, Airtricty, Glanbia, Kerry Group and many more.

The awards reflect the views, not only of Business & Finance and our judging panel, but also of business leaders and entrepreneurs throughout Ireland’s leading companies.,

The CEOs from Ireland’s top 500 companies are canvassed for their nominations for the Business Person of the Year Award and Company of the Year Award; companies are thereafter shortlisted for our judging panel. This process confirms the status of the Business & Finance Awards as an accolade afforded to an outstanding individual and company by their peers.

The Outstanding Contribution Award is the publisher’s choice. In 2015 Mary Robinson accepted this prestigious award. Previous winners include Martin Naughton in 2014, Sir Terry Leahy in 2013, Dermot Desmond in 2012, Arthur Ryan, Penneys/Primark in 2011, JP McManus, Neville Isdell, Coca-Cola in 2009 Niall FitzGerald KBE received the Outstanding Achievement in Business Award in 2008.

Each year the Awards are attended by over 800 CEOs and business leaders. They are supported by a select group of corporate patrons, which allows for independent status to be maintained and presents the patrons with the opportunity to target the CEOs of the top 500 companies and the most influential business leaders in our country.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long have the Business & Finance Awards in Association with KPMG been running for?
The Business & Finance awards are now entering their 45th year.

When are the awards taking place?
The Business & Finance Awards will take place on Thursday, December 12th 2019.

How do I book a table for the awards?
To enquire about attending these prestigious awards contact Rebecca Brady
E: Rebecca.Brady@businessandfinance.com
T: +353 1 2377023