2009 shortlist announced - Ernst & Young - Ireland

Press release: Monday, 18 May, 2009

Entrepreneurs representing companies with a combined turnover of €1.25 billion shortlisted for top business award

Entrepreneurs representing companies with a combined turnover of €1.25billion and employing more than 14,000 staff are set to compete for the title of the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year®. The shortlist of 24 announced today was selected from a competitive pool of over 110 business and individual entries received from across the island of Ireland.

“Entrepreneurial spirit and success is still very evident even during these recessionary times”, said
Enda Kelly, Ernst & Young programme partner-in-charge, announcing the shortlist. “The selected finalists are conquering the national and global marketplace and are acting as strong role models for a new generation of entrepreneurs. They have grown and maintained socially responsible businesses and their innovation and risk taking ability acts as the very foundation of our economic prosperity and we are pleased to acclaim them”, added Kelly.

Chaired by telecoms entrepreneur, Mr. Denis O’Brien, the 12-strong panel of judges have chosen eight companies in each of three categories – international, industry and emerging. These represent a broad cross section of business interests including fashion design, manufacturing, tourism, engineering, healthcare, IT and food.

Emerging markets form the focus of the The 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® awards programme and with the support of Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland and Invest Northern Ireland, the annual CEO Retreat will facilitate a trade mission to vibrant Brazil. Here the group will participate in strategy sessions and business meetings with Brazilian entrepreneurs, key business leaders and Government and Public Authorities.

“The Entrepreneur Of The Year programme, now in its 12th year, is about fostering and facilitating entrepreneurial spirit here in all Ireland and around the world - and in the current economic climate, we need that pioneering entrepreneurial spirit more than ever.” said Kelly.
“The underlying vibrancy of the emerging Brazilian marketplace makes it the ideal catalyst where the challenge of ‘replicating your business model in an emerging market’ can be thrillingly realised”, Kelly added

InterTradeIreland Chief Executive Liam Nellis said: “Entrepreneurship has never been as important as it is today with the island North and South confronted with major economic challenges. It is a tremendous force which I believe can spur economic growth and will a key driving force behind our recovery.  Businesses can benefit from the example set by this and previous year’s finalists who can empower others to find a route to success.”

Donal Durkan, Invest NI Director of Life Sciences and Creative added: “The awards ensure that local entrepreneurs are appropriately recognised for their unwavering commitment to business excellence. Such entrepreneurs play a vital role in the growth and success of the NI economy and during these challenging times their vision and commitment has never been more important. All of the finalists are worthy winners and I hope that many other business people are inspired to follow their example.”

The 24 finalists in the 2009 programme will be profiled in more detail in the Irish Times over the next six weeks, beginning with the International category on Monday, 25th May. Each finalist will also feature in a three-part series to appear on RTE in October and the winner will be announced at a televised Awards Ceremony on 22nd October, held at City West Hotel, Dublin. 

John Flaherty, founder and chief executive of C&F Group was named as the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year®. John will represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards in Monte Carlo this month, where award winners representing over 50 countries will compete for the worldwide title.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® is run in association with The Irish Times, RTE, Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland, Invest NI, Newstalk and Trinity Business School.

Further information on the finalists and the features of the 2009 programme can be viewed online at www.eoy.ie. Previous finalists can be viewed on www.eoy.tv

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View the 2009 short list of finalists

For further information, or interview requests, please contact:

Brona Cusack
Cusack PR
Mobile:  087 230 5692
Email: Brona Cusack

Notes to Editor
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® Award is part of a global recognition programme, to identify, acclaim and support entrepreneurs. The programme is currently run in over 50 countries, across six continents and in 2009 more than 10,000 entrepreneurs worldwide will be nominated. The Irish programme, now in its 12th year, has been identified as one of the strongest worldwide.

The 12 members of the Irish Judging Panel are:

• Denis O’Brien, Digicel Group (Chair), (Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 1998)
• Aidan Heavey, Tullow Oil PLC (Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2005)
• Brian Long, Atlantic Bridge Partners (Ernst & Young Technology Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2000)
• Julie Sinnamon, Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland
• Liam Nellis, Chief Executive, InterTradeIreland
• Jerry Kennelly, CEO, Kilmackillogue Capital (Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2005)
• Padraig O’Ceidigh, Chairman, Aer Arann Express (Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® 2002)
• Liam Shanahan, Shanahan Engineering (Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year®  2003)
• Donal Durkan, Director of Creative and Design-based Industries,  Invest Northern Ireland
• Ann Heraty, CPL Resources Plc. (Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2006)
• Pat McDonagh, Third Force (Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2000)
• Michael Carey, Executive Chairman, Jacob Fruitfield Food Group.(Ernst & Young Industry Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2005)