Business & Finance ESG Awards 2026: Winners

Pictured: Business & Finance ESG Awards 2026 winners at the Mansion House, Dublin.

Now entering its fifth year, the ESG Awards, in partnership with Grant Thornton, recognise those who are actively striving to advance ESG initiatives in their organisations.

By Héloïse Chaudot

Held in association with Grant Thornton, the Business & Finance ESG Awards celebrated another year of ESG achievements. The event took place on 16 April at the Mansion House, Dublin. This year’s ceremony highlighted 19 categories.

The ceremony

Grant Thornton sponsored the event for the third consecutive year. Janice Daly, Partner, Advisory at Grant Thornton, said, “We are meeting at a time of real change. Geopolitical uncertainty, shifts in trade and supply chains, and energy and market volatility continue to reshape the environment in which organisations operate.

“At the same time, climate change is becoming more immediate and more visible. The World Meteorological Organization has confirmed that recent years are the warmest on record, with impacts increasingly felt through storms, flooding, and heat events.

“As a result, sustainability is no longer something organisations can treat as separate or peripheral. It is increasingly central to how risk is understood, how capital is allocated, and how long-term resilience is built.”

Pictured: Janice Daly, Partner, Advisory at Grant Thornton.

She continues, “What today recognises are organisations that are moving beyond intent and into delivery – embedding sustainability into governance, strategy and day-to-day decision-making.

“That is why these awards matter. They highlight what good looks like in practice and recognise the teams and individuals doing the work to make this real.”

The ESG Leader Award

The ESG Leader Award was a significant moment at the event, presented to Marie Donnelly to recognise her exceptional work in advancing sustainability policy and accelerating Europe’s energy transition. 

Martin Shanahan, Partner and Head of Industry at Grant Thornton, presented Marie Donnelly with the award, highlighting her three-decade-long consistent contribution, shaping policy at the highest level, and advancing the transition to a more sustainable and equitable energy system.

As a long-standing proponent of climate action, she has been pivotal in defining European energy policy and continues to shape the international sustainability agenda through her various advisory and governance positions.

He said, “Her influence extends far beyond institutional policy. She continues to play an active role in shaping the research and governance ecosystem that underpins the energy transition. 

“She is a member of the Governance Committee of MaREI, serves on the Steering Committee of the IERC, and contributes to the UCD Energy Institute and the University of Galway Sustainability Advisory Board. 

“Through these roles, she helps ensure that evidence and research remain closely connected to policymaking and implementation.”

Upon accepting the award, Marie Donnelly said, “Today’s winners have anchored ESG as a central element of their strategic future – leading to reduced risk, better efficiency, and greater resilience, innovation, and growth – thus creating tangible value for customers, investors, employees, and communities.” 

Pictured: Marie Donnelly with the Business & Finance ESG Leader Award.

The winners

This year’s awards comprised 19 categories.