The Director of the Year Awards recognise leaders across the private, third and public sectors who have set exceptional standards of leadership and demonstrated good corporate governance.
The awards, which consist of nine categories in total, have been judged by a panel of businessmen and women selected from various sectors. Each finalist is considered on how they demonstrate excellence in their organisation including financial performance, corporate governance, employee development and community engagement.
Large Company Director of the Year (annual turnover of over £100m), sponsored by First Trust Bank
Ursula Lavery - Moy Park
Mark Nodder - Wrights Group Ltd
Ian Thom - Viridian Group
Mid-Market Director of the Year, sponsored by the William J Clinton Leadership Institute
Brendan Mooney - Kainos Group plc
Gareth Loye - M&M Contractors
Brendan McGurgan CDir - CDE Global Ltd
SME Company of the Year (annual turnover of under £10m), sponsored by Ulster University Business School
Judith Totten - Upstream Working Capital Ltd
Norman Apsley – Northern Ireland Science Park Foundation Ltd
Paul McElvaney - Learning Pool
Family Business Director of the Year, sponsored by BDO Northern Ireland
Joanne Molloy - TS Foods
Richard Willis - Willis Insurance & Risk Management
Brian McErlain CDir - Genesis Crafty
Young Director of the Year (under the age of 42), sponsored by First Trust Bank
Allen Reid CDir - Henry Group (NI) Limited
Paul McElvaney - Leaning Pool
Brendan McGurgan CDir - CDE Global Ltd
Not for Profit/Public Sector Director of the Year, sponsored by First Trust Bank and Capita Managed IT Solutions
Brian Murray - The Workspace Group
Alastair Hamilton CDir - Invest Northern Ireland
Paula Jennings - Stepping Stones NI
Norman Aspley – NISP Foundation Ltd
International Director of the Year, sponsored by 4c Executive Search
Gary Wilmot – Andor Technology
Gareth Loye – M&M Contractors
Brendan McGurgan CDir – CDE Global Ltd
Director of the Year for Leadership in Corporate Responsibility, sponsored by First Trust Bank
Ian Henry – Henry Group (NI) Ltd
Carla Tully – AES UK & Ireland
Michael Boyd – Irish Football Association
Non-Executive Director of the Year, sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland
Dick Milliken – Northern Ireland Science Park Foundation Ltd
Colin Coffey CDir – Flint Studios
Joanne Stuart OBE – Arts & Business Northern Ireland
Linda Brown, Director of IoD Northern Ireland, said:
“Following the launch of the IoD First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards little over a month ago, we have witnessed a remarkable number of entries – which is, in fact, our largest to date.
“This highlights the vast talent pool of directors leading businesses across Northern Ireland. Our judging panel have had an extremely difficult job in selecting the winners as all entrants are of an exceptionally high calibre.
“We look forward to announcing our category winners, as we honour their outstanding standards of leadership within their organisations.”
Richard Ennis, Director of Business and Corporate Banking at First Trust Bank, said:
“Strong leadership is one of the key ingredients needed for business success and greatly contributes to Northern Ireland’s economic fortunes.
“The quality of this year’s IoD Award entries highlights that our businesses here are exhibiting outstanding standards of leadership and we are delighted to lend our support to those individuals dedicated to their own personal growth as well as that of their organisation.
“First Trust Bank is committed to nurturing leadership through our own leadership development commitments and through partnerships like the IoD Awards.”
Following the Northern Ireland Director of the Year Awards, each winner will be nominated for the UK Director of the Year Awards which are set to take place later in 2016.
The IoD First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards, hosted by Tim McGarry, will be presented at a lunch on Friday, 15th April, at The Merchant Hotel.