By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Paula Cain at the Ibec Leading in Wellbeing Lunch 2026 at the InterContinental Hotel Dublin.
Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, brought together leaders from across the community to recognise standout organisations at the Leading in Wellbeing Lunch 2026 at the InterContinental Hotel Dublin. The event also saw the launch of the Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing 2026 index, published in partnership with Business & Finance.
The annual Leading in Wellbeing Lunch, held on 7 May at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin, served as a platform to celebrate the organisations setting the gold standard for workplace culture in Ireland. Following the 12th National Workplace Wellbeing Day on 29 April, 250 leaders gathered to recognise the companies that have excelled across the eight pillars of the KeepWell Mark framework.
The afternoon highlighted that the most resilient organisations are those that treat wellbeing as a core business strategy rather than a secondary benefit. From innovative mental health supports to industry-leading inclusion initiatives, this year’s winners demonstrated the profound impact of evidence-based wellbeing practices.
National Workplace Wellbeing Day
National Workplace Wellbeing Day continues to provide organisations across Ireland with an opportunity to recognise and promote employee wellbeing through initiatives supporting mental, physical, social, and financial health in the workplace. As part of this year’s activity, Ibec launched the Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing 2026 index in partnership with Business & Finance. The index recognises organisations of all sizes that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to fostering positive workplace cultures and supporting employee wellbeing through the principles of the KeepWell framework.
The companies included in this year’s index represent a broad cross-section of sectors, including healthcare, financial services, technology, manufacturing, hospitality, and public services.
Speaking at the event, Paula Cain, Executive Director, Commercial Services, Ibec, said workplace wellbeing had become increasingly central to organisational strategy and performance. “Wellbeing is no longer merely a ‘nice to have’; it is now a key strategic and commercial imperative,” she said. “Today, it is clear that wellbeing continues to move from the margins of social impact towards the centre of strategic decision-making.”
Cain noted that organisations prioritising employee wellbeing consistently demonstrate stronger levels of engagement, productivity, and organisational performance.
Referencing recent Ibec research, she said that 69% of employees reported workplace wellness had become more important to them in recent years, while 28% had observed increased investment by employers in wellbeing initiatives.
She also highlighted this year’s National Workplace Wellbeing Day theme of belonging, emphasising the importance of creating inclusive workplace cultures where employees feel respected, supported, and valued. “As wellbeing champions, we must ensure our workplaces remain inclusive environments where every individual feels supported to bring their authentic self to work,” she said.
Keynote address
The event was hosted by broadcaster, entrepreneur, and equality advocate Brendan Courtney, who returned as MC for the annual gathering.
Dermot Whelan, broadcaster, author, meditation expert, and host of the Mind Full podcast, delivered this year’s keynote address. Speaking to attendees about stress management, mindfulness, and resilience, Whelan shared practical wellbeing techniques designed to support individuals in managing the pressures of increasingly demanding working environments.
Blending humour with mindfulness exercises, he guided attendees through a series of breathing and grounding techniques focused on improving mental clarity and reducing stress.
KeepWell Awards
The event also celebrated the winners of the annual KeepWell Awards, which recognise organisations demonstrating exceptional success in the development and implementation of workplace wellbeing strategies.
The shortlisted companies for the KeepWell Awards are available here.
This year’s winners included:
- Best in Class Leadership: Merit Medical
- Best in Class Nutrition & Physical Activity: Sanofi
- Best in Class Talent Support & Development: Woodies
- Best in Class Inclusion & Belonging: Dalata Hotel Group
- Best in Class Mental Health: .ie
- Company of the Year (SME): Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
- Company of the Year (Large): St Patrick’s Mental Health Services
Outstanding Achievement in Wellbeing
The Outstanding Achievement to Wellbeing Award was presented to author, lecturer, and social justice advocate Katriona O’Sullivan in recognition of her significant contribution to wellbeing, inclusion, and educational equality in Ireland.
Unable to attend in person, O’Sullivan accepted the award through a pre-recorded video message shared with attendees during the event.
Through her work as an author, educator, and advocate, O’Sullivan has consistently championed greater inclusion, opportunity, and wellbeing across education and wider society, while contributing meaningfully to national conversations surrounding equality and social mobility.
The annual Leading in Wellbeing Lunch continues to highlight the growing importance of workplace wellbeing in shaping organisational culture, employee engagement, and long-term business sustainability across Ireland.
