Co Armagh business leaders recognised at IoD Director of the Year Awards
Three County Armagh business leaders have had their outstanding contributions recognised at the 2021 Institute of Directors Northern Ireland (IoD NI) Director of the Year Awards, sponsored by AIB.
Chief Executive of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Roger Wilson received the Public Sector Director of the Year Award, while Louise Skeath of SDG Construction Technologies was presented with the award for Small to Medium Business.
This year’s ceremony also saw Ursula Lavery of Moy Park receive the International Director of the Year Award.
Winners of the prestigious awards were announced during a ceremony at The Merchant Hotel, Belfast.
This year’s full winners were:
Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Director and Board Practice, sponsored by AIB – Sir Michael Ryan CBE, Spirit AeroSystems
Director of the Year – Agility and Resilience, sponsored by Schroders Personal Wealth – Kieran Kennedy MBE, O’Neills
Director of the Year – Non-Executive, sponsored by Deloitte – Ellvena Graham
Director of the Year – Innovation, sponsored by KPMG – David Henderson, Tobermore
Director of the Year – Young, sponsored by Carson McDowell – Ben Stocks, Leckey
Director of the Year – Public Sector, sponsored by Capita Technology Solutions – Roger Wilson, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Director of the Year – Third Sector, sponsored by Capita Technology Solutions – Heather Weir, NI Hospice and Kerry Anthony MBE, Inspire Wellbeing
Director of the Year – Family Business, sponsored by BDO Northern Ireland – Kevin McNamee, Denroy Group
Director of the Year – International, sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland – Ursula Lavery, Moy Park
Moy Park’s Ursula Lavery receives the IoD NI Director of the Year Award for International Director of the Year from Steve Harper, Executive Director of International Business at award sponsor Invest NI
Director of the Year – Small to Medium Business, sponsored by Ulster University Business School – Louise Skeath, SDG. Main image: Louise Skeath, pictured with Nick Read, Business Development Manager at award sponsor Ulster University Business School
Director of the Year – Large Business, sponsored by ABL Group – Ian McConnell, PwC
Philanthropist of the Year, sponsored by Community Foundation Northern Ireland – Dr Terry Cross OBE, Hinch Distillery.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Gordon Milligan, IoD NI Chairman, said: “I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate all of our 2021 winners, who have yet again demonstrated the resilience and strength of Northern Ireland’s business community across a breadth of industries and sectors, despite what has been a most challenging time for business.”
Commenting on their support for the awards Seamus McGuickin, AIB, Head of Business Banking, NI said: “We are proud to continue our partnership with the IoD and to help showcase and support the numerous successful business leaders and entrepreneurs that have worked so hard to support the further development of our local economy.
“This has been an uncertain time for businesses right across the board, but it has been inspiring to witness how our business leaders have adapted accordingly and risen to the challenges they’ve faced.
“We would like to congratulate each of this year’s winners on their truly admirable accomplishments. It is of upmost importance that the achievements of Northern Ireland’s business community are celebrated, and we are delighted that the IoD Director of the Year Awards provide the opportunity to do just that.”