Pictured (L-R): Ian Hyland, President and Publisher of Business & Finance; Hillary Rodham Clinton, recipient of the Sutherland Leadership Award; Loretta Brennan Glucksman, recipient of the 2025 TK Whitaker Award; Ryan McCarthy, partner, KPMG, and An Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the 51st Annual Business & Finance Awards 2015.
On Thursday, 11th December, at the Convention Centre Dublin, the 51st Business & Finance Awards, in association with KPMG, celebrated Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, and shone a light on leaders of Ireland’s business community.
The Convention Centre Dublin played host to 1,100 leaders from across the business and political spectrum on Thursday, 11th December. Notably, the evening was attended by Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, and leaders of Ireland’s business community.
Pat Kenny, Broadcaster, acting as master of the ceremonies for the evening’s proceedings, opened the ceremony saying, “The legacy of the Business & Finance Awards spans over five decades, during which we have honoured some of the world’s most formidable business, political and community leaders – from John Major to Kofi Annan. This evening, we are privileged to recognise a new generation of honourees whose philanthropic endeavours mirror that legacy: through the Eddie Jordan Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative, and the tireless work of Loretta Brennan Glucksman and the American Ireland Fund.”
Sutherland Leadership Award
A highlight of the evening was the presentation to Secretary Hillary Clinton, who had travelled to Dublin to accept the 2025 Sutherland Leadership Award. The Sutherland Leadership Award was established in 2018 to honour the legacy of Peter Sutherland, a transformative leader in European and global affairs.
As an American politician, lawyer and diplomat, widely regarded as one of the most transformative leaders of her generation, Secretary Clinton was a worthy honouree for such an award. Throughout her career, she has championed democracy, women’s rights, healthcare, children’s welfare, and global cooperation, earning a reputation as one of the most transformative political leaders of her generation.
The award was presented by Ian Hyland, President of Business & Finance. In his presentation remarks, Ian reflected that Secretary Clinton, “Like Peter Sutherland, knows you can be fiercely loyal to your own country and still hold a responsibility to the wider world. And like Peter, she has been willing to walk into difficult rooms, absorb the challenges and keep going because the goal mattered more than the noise. The Sutherland Leadership Award is not about titles. It is about purpose. It is about the ability to hold the local and the global in your hands at the same time; to see the world as it is, and still work for what it can be; and to use influence not as a prize, but as a tool.”
Upon accepting the Award, Secretary Clinton said, “I’m always delighted to be back in Ireland, a country whose friendship with America goes back to the very beginning. Several of the people who signed the Declaration of Independence were born in Ireland. So were many of the soldiers who fought in our revolution.”
She continues, “For so many Americans, including my family, Ireland is a special place.
As First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Ireland and Northern Ireland several times over the years. It always feels like returning to a second home.
“Today, as Chancellor of Queen’s University, Belfast, it means everything to see these two countries through the eyes of the students I meet.
“Over the years, I’ve watched those students’ futures open up, as a fragile peace held and Ireland’s economy grew.
“Ireland’s investments in higher education, its encouragement of cross-sector partnerships, and its growth of women’s workforce participation offer an encouraging example of a thriving democracy – at a time when those examples are in short supply.
“So it is incumbent upon us to recommit to finishing the work of building a global community that is free, fair, and prosperous.
“I’m honored to receive this award in the name of a man who did so much for both Ireland and the world.
“His vision of an open global economy laid the foundation for so much growth, development, and diplomacy.
“But it is his steadfast commitment to the dignity and rights of refugees that most calls us to carry his work forward.
“May we live up to his vision of economic development – and human dignity.”
TK Whitaker Award
Irish-American philanthropist Loretta Brennan Glucksman was presented with the 2025 TK Whitaker Award.
The TK Whitaker Award was established in 2016 to mark the 100th birthday of Dr Thomas Kenneth (TK) Whitaker, the economist and civil servant credited with playing a pivotal role in Ireland’s economic development. The presentation of this award to Mrs Brennan Glucksman was particularly poignant as she knew TK Whitaker on a personal level and referred in her acceptance remarks to the importance of his friendship and the mentorship he had shown her when they had worked together in the past.
Loretta Brennan Glucksman’s name is synonymous with an incredible contribution to Ireland’s cultural heritage, educational advancement, and peace-building efforts. Her tireless work, over decades, to establish strong ties between America and Ireland has made her one of the most influential figures in Irish-American relations today.
Presenting the award, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said, “Loretta, this award, named for TK Whitaker, is symbolic of the way you yourself work; your discretion and your humility have been constant qualities as you have consistently and generously supported the island of Ireland and her people.
“Over the years, you have hosted multiple Taoisigh and Irish Government ministers at your home during key moments and made introductions to key leaders in the Irish American community.”
Adding to the warmth and personal atmosphere in the room, Loretta highlighted in her acceptance speech that three generations of her family had travelled with her to Ireland to accept the award and how special it was to her on a personal level.
Outstanding Contribution to Ireland Award
The late Formula One team Founder of Jordan Grand Prix and entrepreneur, Eddie Jordan, was posthumously honoured with the 2025 Outstanding Contribution to Ireland Award.
Presenting the award, Denis O’Brien, renowned Irish businessman and close friend of the late Eddie Jordan, paid tribute to his extraordinary legacy as a visionary and trailblazer in international motorsport, a dynamic force in business and an unyielding ambassador for Ireland on the world stage.
Commemorating her late husband, Marie Jordan, was joined on stage by three of their children for a special family moment to accept the award. Marie Jordan reflected on the pride she was sure her late husband Eddie, would have felt at the recognition and reminded the audience that her husband’s commitment to motorsport was instrumental in putting Ireland on the Formula 1 map.
Business Person of the Year
Dalton Phillips, CEO of Greencore, was named Business Person of the Year 2025.
Upon accepting the award, Dalton Phillips said, “This is a special moment for our business. Next year, we’ll be a hundred years old, and we’ve come a long way from that first sugar factory in Carlow.
“Next year, we’ll take another major step forward as we complete the acquisition of the UK-listed food manufacturer, Bakkavor.”
In association with KPMG Ireland, the Business Person of the Year Award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional career achievements over the past year.
Company of the Year
Smurfit Westrock was named Company of the Year 2025.
Welcoming the award, the recipient said, “When we created Smurfit Westrock just over a year ago now, we had no idea that we would become a global sector leader.
“You know, our small country may be imperfect, but the level of talent in this country is unbeatable.”
In association with KPMG Ireland, the Company of the Year Award recognises Irish businesses that, along with having a significant impact in Ireland, operate with an international focus and have annual revenue exceeding €350 million.
Additional Winners
Other winners include:
- Elevation Company of the Year, in association with Enterprise Ireland: Manna Drone Delivery
- FDI of the Year, in association with IDA Ireland: Amazon Ireland
- Environmental, Social & Governance Award, in association with Coillte: Tesco Ireland
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award: Northern Trust
- Innovation of the Year, in association with Bord Gáis Energy: Deciphex
- Brand of the Year: National Broadband Ireland
- Public Enterprise of the Year: Bord na Móna
The Business & Finance Awards
Business & Finance was launched in 1964 as Ireland’s premier business magazine. The Business & Finance Awards programme was established a decade later, in 1974, and has become Ireland’s longest-running and most coveted business awards programme. These prestigious awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of some of our most remarkable business leaders.