Business News

Martin Naughton, KBE named 2018 Oslo Business for Peace winner

By Business & Finance
20 March 2018
martin-naughton-glen-dimplex
Martin Naughton, KBE

Martin Naughton, KBE is one of three winners of the Business for Peace in Oslo, highlighting work in conflict areas, championing gender equality and tackling climate change.

The Oslo Business for Peace Award is an annual award given to leaders who do business for the good of humankind through ethics and responsibility. This year’s winners were selected by an independent committee of Nobel Laureates. Past winners include Sir Richard Branson, Jennifer Riria and Elon Musk.

The award committee consists of Shirin Ebadi (Iran), Leymah Gbowee (Liberia), Finn Kydland (Norway), Ouided Bouchamaoui (Tunisia) and Eric Masin (USA). They were selected by an independent committee of Nobel Prize winners in Peace and in Economics after a global nomination process through the International Chamber of Commerce, United Nations Global Compact, United Nations Development Programme and Principles for Responsible Investment.

The other winners were Lori Blaker of the US and Edgar Montenegro in Colombia. All three winners have made contributions to peacebuilding efforts by creating economic opportunities in Kabul, Afghanistan, the Putumayo Jungle in Colombia and on both sides of the Irish border.

Martin Naughton founded Glen Dimplex as Glen Electric in 1973 and has grown in from seven employees to become Ireland’s largest privately-owned manufacturing business and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of domestic appliances. Naughton has played a huge role in establishing a corporate department on renewable and low-carbon solutions for heating, cooling and ventilation in attempting to tackle climate change.

Lori Blaker champions gender equality as President and CEO/Owner, TTi Global, a staffing and recruitment company in five continents. Her work also reaches developing countries such as India and Afghanistan.

Edgar Montenegro founded Corpocampo in 2003, which uses food production to build sustainable communities.

Martin Naughton said of the announcement: “I am honoured and humbled to have been recognised by Business for Peace for this award. Throughout my life in business as founder of Glen Dimplex Group, I have been fortunate to have been able to play my part in effecting positive societal change. As we approach the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, I am reminded that we must continue to work to maintain peace on both sides of the Irish border. Similarly, we must redouble our efforts to tackle climate change and promote environmental sustainability.”

The three winners will receive the award in a ceremony at Oslo City Hall on 16 May.