Business News

VIDEO: President Higgins, Sir Bob and Whelan shine at Business & Finance Awards

By Business & Finance
20 December 2016

A memorable Business & Finance Awards attended by over 1,200 people took place on December 15th at The Convention Centre Dublin.

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins was honoured with the inaugural TK Whitaker Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Life, Sir Bob Geldof with the Outstanding Contribution to Ireland Award and Susan Whelan, CEO of Leicester City, was awarded the Global Irish Outstanding Achievement in Business Award at this year’s prestigious event.

Previous recipients of the Outstanding Contribution Award to Ireland include business, political and social leaders such as President Clinton, President Mary Robinson (presented by Kofi Annan), Rt Hon Sir John Major and Albert Reynolds, Senator George Mitchell, President Mary and Senator Martin McAleese, Loretta Brennan Glucksman and Michael Bloomberg. 

Sponsored by KPMG, the Business & Finance Awards programme has recognised some of Ireland’s most significant business success stories.

Established in 1974, it has become the longest running and most coveted business awards programme in Ireland and on December 15th the awards paid tribute to some of Ireland’s most outstanding leaders.

On the night Martin Shanahan of IDA Ireland presented the FDI of the Year Award to Coca Cola, Shaun Murphy of KPMG announced ICON as winner of the Company of the Year award and Domhnal Slattery of Avolon picked up Business Person of the Year.

To view a gallery from the event, click here.


President Michael D Higgins


Susan Whelan


Sir Bob Geldof