By Business & Finance 
Global business leaders gathered at the London Stock Exchange (LSE) yesterday as Ireland INC, in partnership with Business & Finance, launched its inuagural London Irish Business Awards.
The London Irish Business Awards initiative is one of the key events in the calendar of Ireland INC a private sector initiative which holds a number of global events at venues including Dublin, New York, Washington DC, Hong Kong and Shanghai, with the objective of advancing the interests of Irish business globally.
Ireland INC is also the creator of the Ireland Day event which took place in the New York Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange earlier this year. Ireland INC is also planning for Ireland Day to take place in Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi in 2014 as part of its ongoing expanision.
The London Irish Business Awards luncheon celebrated the achievements of two global Irish companies listed on LSE. Patrick Coveney, CEO, Greencore plc was awarded the 2013 London Irish Business Person and Gary McGann, CEO, Smurfit Kappa Group plc was presented with the 2013 London Irish Company of Year.
Also recognised at the ceremony were the contributions of two outstanding ambassadors for Irish business: Julian King CMG, director of the Northern Ireland Office and former British Ambassador to Ireland for his contribution to British/Irish trade relations, and the IIBN for its contribution to Irish business internationally through its network activities.
Speaking ahead of the event yesterday, founder and chairman of Ireland INC and publisher of Business & Finance, Ian Hyland, highlighted the importance of harnessing the potential of the global Irish network. “The inaugural London Irish Awards is an important event in the Ireland INC calendar as we acknowledge the efforts of those Irish companies listed on LSE,” said Hyland. “Through their leadership and initiative, many of our Irish business leaders have played a vital role in reflecting the mission of Ireland INC by promoting Irish interests abroad with a special emphasis on our close neighbour Great Britain,” he added.
