A Newtownabbey business leader was among those honoured at the annual Institute of Directors Northern Ireland (IoD NI) Director of the Year Awards.
Alan Lowry, Managing Director of Environmental Street Furniture was named Director of the Year – Innovation at a ceremony in the Merchant Hotel, Belfast.
Judges described Environmental Street Furniture as a “great small business with excellent potential, driven by an export led leader with entrepreneurial spirit”.
The award recognised the development of the Stellar Solar Smart Bench which allows solar energy to be stored and used to power mobile device charging, temperature controlled ventilated seating, and WiFi among other applications.
Other award winners included Nick Whelan of Dale Farm who was named the Large Business Director of the Year award while Jackie Henry of Deloitte was awarded Director of the Year in the Inclusivity category.
Meanwhile, Jill Minne received the Public Sector Director of the Year Award and MJM Group’s Naoimh McAteer was named the Young Director of the Year.
This year’s winners were:
Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Director and Board Practice, sponsored by First Trust Bank – William Barnett, W&R Barnett
Director of the Year – Non-Executive, sponsored by Deloitte – Mark Ennis, Chairman, SSE Airtricity
Director of the Year – Innovation, sponsored by KPMG – Alan Lowry, Environmental Street Furniture
Director of the Year – Young, sponsored by Carson McDowell – Naoimh McAteer, MJM Group
Director of the Year – Public Sector, sponsored by Capita Managed IT Solutions – Jill Minne, Northern Ireland Civil Service
Director of the Year – Third Sector, sponsored by Capita Managed IT Solutions – Carol Fitzsimons, Young Enterprise NI
Director of the Year – Family Business, sponsored by BDO Northern Ireland – Angela Bennett, Diamond Systems
Director of the Year – International, sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland – Lisa McLaughlin, Herbert Smith Freehills
Director of the Year – Small to Medium Business, sponsored by Ulster University Business School – Angela Bennett, Diamond Systems
Director of the Year – Inclusivity, sponsored by Abacus – Jackie Henry, Deloitte
Director of the Year – Start-Up, sponsored by Amplifi Solutions – Robert McConnell, Pinnacle Professional
Director of the Year – Large Business, sponsored by Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council – Nick Whelan, Dale Farm
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Gordon Milligan, IoD NI Chairman, said this year’s winners prove once again that the Northern Ireland economy benefits from leaders across the private and public sector, performing to the very highest standards.
And Adrian Moynihan, Head of First Trust Bank, said it is vital that we continue to nurture, reward and grow the leadership traits that strengthen our business community.
“The IoD Director of the Year Awards programme is a fantastic way for us to highlight the importance of leadership within the business community and given the uncertain times we live in, we must ensure that our business leaders voices are heard loud and clear. Each of the finalists demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, innovation and visionary thinking – truly inspiring qualities which help drive Northern Ireland’s growing business community,” he added.
Category winners will now progress to be considered for the national IoD Director of the Year Awards taking place in London later this year.