Ernst & Young announces 2010 Entrpreneur of the year shortlist
Twenty-four companies, with a combined turnover of close to €1billion, have been shortlisted for the coveted 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® award. Over 120 entries were received, a reflection of the strength of the enterprise culture that remains in Ireland today.
“Entrepreneurial activity has contributed to the record levels of prosperity Ireland has enjoyed – and it will help us, as a country, to remain competitive in more difficult economic times, said Frank O’Keeffe, partner-in-charge, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. The award’s programme continues to help acclaim entrepreneurs and provide valuable role models for existing and future business innovators”, he added.
Chaired by previous award winner, Mr. Padraig O’Ceidigh, Chairman, Aer Arann, the 11-strong panel of judges, have chosen eight companies in each of three categories – international, industry and emerging. These represent a cross section of business interests including Solar and Wind Energy, Medical, Construction, Technology and Food. . An immediate benefit to each finalist is a gateway to over 200 of Ireland’s leading entrepreneurs through the network the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® Programme provides
This year’s CEO Retreat will facilitate a trade mission to the Shanghai World Expo, where, under its theme, finalists will be challenged to embrace the urbanised world of the future and to find new business opportunities in rapidly increasing urbanisation. The 2010 finalists, accompanied by over 20 past finalists, will also participate in leadership strategy sessions and be given the opportunity to engage in a series of one-to-one meetings with Chinese business leaders.
“With a population of 1.3 billion, China is leading the charge towards urbanisation, and has already grappled with many of the challenges that the rest of the world still faces, said O’Keeffe. Whole new cities have been built from scratch to accommodate the exodus from the land, so it’s the ideal vantage point from which to observe the pace of social change and identify the opportunities that change presents”, O’Keeffe added.
The 24 finalists will be profiled in the Irish Times over the next six weeks, beginning with the Emerging Category on Monday, 24th May. Each finalist will also feature in a three-part series to appear on RTE in October, and the overall winner will be announced at a televised Awards Ceremony on the 21st October.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® is part of a global recognition programme, to identify, acclaim and support entrepreneurs. The programme is currently run in over 40 countries, across six continents and in 2010 more than 10,000 entrepreneurs worldwide will be nominated. The Irish programme, now in its 13th year, has been identified as one of the strongest worldwide.
Terry Clune, founder and chief executive of Taxback.com was named as the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year®. Terry will represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards in Monte Carlo next month and compete for the worldwide title.
The 11 members of the Judging Panel are:
• Padraig O’Ceidigh, Chairman, Aer Arann. (Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2002)
• Brian Long, Atlantic Bridge Partners (Ernst & Young Technology Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2000)
• Pat McDonagh, Thirdforce (Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2000)
• Tom Hayes, Divisional Manager Entrepreneurship and Human Resources, Enterprise Ireland
• Liam Nellis, Chief Executive, InterTradeIreland
• Liam Shanahan, Shanahan Engineering (Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® 2003)
• Jerry Kennelly, CEO, Gustavo Capital (Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2005)
• (Michael Carey, Executive Chairman, Jacob Fruitfield Food Group.(Ernst & Young Industry Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2005)
• Ann Heraty, CEO, CPL Resources Plc. (Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2006)
• Terry Clune, CEO, Taxback.com (Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010)
• Hugh O’Donnell, CEO, Kentz Group (Ernst & Young International Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010)
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® is run in association with The Irish Times, RTE, Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland and Newstalk.
For further information, or interview requests, please contact:
Brona Cusack
Cusack PR
Mobile: 087 230 5692
Email: Brona Cusack
