By Business & Finance 
The 43rd instalment of the annual Business & Finance Awards, in association with KPMG, took place at The Convention Centre Dublin on Thursday, 14 December, 2017.
Ireland’s biggest business event saw the best minds in the Irish and worldwide corporate landscape come together at The Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) to celebrate the great successes of 2017.
Some of Ireland’s, and the world’s, leading business and corporate figures had their say on why the Business & Finance Awards is such an important date on the calendar:
Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who was awarded the TK Whitaker Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Life, proclaimed, “It’s a great privilege to be the honouree in respect of this particular award, which is called after a truly extraordinary Irishman, TK Whitaker.”
The CEO of Bank of America, Brian Moynihan, speaking on being honoured with the Outstanding Achievement in Business, remarked on his Irish roots as an American and how they are so important to the success of one of the world’s biggest financial institutions: “Well it’s great as an Irish-American, as a person who runs a company that has a lot of interest in Ireland, it’s great to be honoured and it’s an honour for me to be here. But importantly, on behalf of our teammates, I’m proud to represent them tonight.”
Aidan O’Brien, awarded with the Outstanding Contribution to Brand Ireland, said: “Very impressive. Obviously we’re so proud of all Irish people that are doing so well, and for Ireland to be such a small country and to be as successful as it is, it’s unbelievable, really.”
KPMG‘s Managing Partner, Shaun Murphy, was delighted to be an integral part of the event: “It’s all about recognising excellence in Irish business, recognising the contribution of Irish business to society – to growth, to employment – and we as sponsors of these awards at KPMG are delighted to be associated with them for the last ten years or more.”
Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland, says that, “I think the Business & Finance Awards are extraordinarily important. It’s really important that we recognise business success in all its forms; fantastic companies, fantastic individuals here tonight, who have made business happen in Ireland over the past 12 months.”
Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec, commented, “I think one of things that Business & Finance really brings about is give role models and of course new people; entrepreneurs have new ideas, they want to break the mould. But it’s worth having a look at those who went before; I think they can be great mentors, great inspirations, and that’s why I think Business & Finance are bringing the generations together in Irish business and really do a service to the Irish community. It’s a great night, it’s a great organisation, and I’m really delighted to be here.”
Others such as Estelle Davis, Managing Partner of Brightwater Executive; Terry Clune, CEO of Taxback.com; Richard Moat, CEO of eir; and Mark Kellett, CEO of Magnet Networks stated the importance and power of the event.
The other winners on the night were:
- Paul Marchant of Primark (Business Person of the Year)
- DCC (Company of the Year)
- Combilift (Excelling Enterprise of the Year)
- PayPal (FDI of the Year)
All winners and award presentations can be seen on our photo article from last December.
