IoD NI's Director of the Year 2020 awards finalists announced

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has revealed the finalists for the Northern Ireland Director of the Year Awards in partnership with AIB.

The awards, this year marking their 10^th anniversary, celebrate excellence across the public, third, and private sectors with judges choosing 42 entrants to make the shortlist.

To adhere with government guidelines on social distancing, the IoD said winners will be announced at a scaled down ceremony to be held at The Merchant Hotel, Belfast on Friday 11 September 2020.

   This year’s shortlisted directors are:

1. Director of the Year - Non-Executive – sponsored by Deloitte

• Diana Fitzsimons
• Karen Furlong
• Alex Lee
• Paul Rothwell

2. Director of the Year - Innovation – sponsored by KPMG

• Christine Boyle, Senergy Innovations
• Daniel Crawford, Axial3D
• Martin McKay, Texthelp
• Mark Regan, Kingsbridge Private Hospital
• Dave Vincent, Tourism NI

3. Director of the Year - Young – sponsored by Carson McDowell

• Noeleen Breen, Sixteen South
• Gareth Irvine, The Copeland Distillery
• Paul Lawther, Onecom
• Cara Macklin, Cara Macklin Coach
• Glenn Speer, Fane Valley

4. Director of the Year - Public Sector – sponsored by Capita Managed IT Solutions

• Ronnie Armour, NI Prison Service
• Anne Donaghy, Mid & East Antrim Borough Council
• John French, NI Consumer Council
• Prof Nola Hewitt-Dundas, QUB

5. Director of the Year - Third Sector – sponsored by Capita Managed IT Solutions   

• Lynn Carvill, WOMEN’STEC
• Alan Crilly, Triangle Housing
• Mark Dougan, The Prince’s Trust
• Harry McDaid, UCIT

6. Director of the Year - Family Business – sponsored by BDO Northern Ireland 

• Gavin Annon, Mount Charles Group
• David Ausdahl, Lowden Guitars
• Eugene Clarke, Clarke Facades
• David Henry, Henry Brothers Ltd
• Eddie McKeever, McKeever Hotel Group

7. Director of the Year - International – sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland

• Terry Cross, Hinch Distillery
• Kieran Kennedy, O'Neills
• Brian Reid, Deli Lites
• Alana Rodgers, Ulster Weavers

8. Director of the Year - Small to Medium Business - sponsored by Ulster University Business School

• Noeleen Breen, Sixteen South
• Eamonn Bunting, Outsource Solutions
• Gareth Hagan, OCO Global
• Sinead Higgins, Decision Time
• Peter Thomas, DLRT

9. Director of the Year - Inclusivity – sponsored by ABL Group

• John Healey, Allstate
• Terry Moore, Outsource Solutions
• Ciaran Moynagh, Phoenix Law

1. Director of the Year - Large Business – sponsored by Amplifi Solutions

• Colin Johnston, Galgorm Group
• Trevor Lockhart, Fane Valley
• Michael McCormack, Musgrave Group
  
  

Also to be awarded on the day will be the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Director and Board Practice, sponsored by AIB, while the ceremony will also see the inaugural presentation of the Philanthropist of the Year, Community Foundation Northern Ireland award.

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Gordon Milligan, chairman at IoD NI commented: “The last number of months have been extraordinary as we have all adapted to new ways of doing business and a new way of doing life in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“In many respects, it has brought out the very best in the Northern Ireland business community as some firms changed their focus to help the national effort to beat the virus, and many others pulled together to support each other financially and in other ways.

“It proved once again the tremendous calibre of business leaders in the region which will also be showcased at our annual Director of the Year Awards.

“Congratulations go to all those to have made the shortlist and we very much look forward to safely celebrating with you at our ceremony in September.”