May, 2007
ERNST & YOUNG ANNOUNCES 2007 ENTREPRENUER OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST -Irish Finalists set to ignite their CSR skills in world’s poorest country
Over 125 businesses and individual entries was received by Ernst & Young for the coveted 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year® Programme, the 24 shortlist finalists for which was announced today. Led by former winner, Mr. Denis O'Brien, Digicel Group, the 11 strong panel of judges assessed the entries over a two month period and selected a shortlist representing companies across technology, pharmaceutical, shipping, recruitment, retail, hospitality, food production, engineering, insurance, horticulture, supply chain management, travel, elearning and property and construction.
Announcing the shortlist, Enda Kelly, Ernst & Young Partner-in-Charge of the Programme said that Ireland continues to have a strong and supportive culture of entrepreneurship. "In the last 10 years since the awards have been running, Ireland's commercial landscape has been transformed. Our captains of industry are conquering the global marketplace and are acting as role models for a new generation of entrepreneurs. These innovative brave risk-taking individuals are the very foundation of our economic prosperity".
Robert Gallagher, Chief Executive, Corporate Markets, Ulster Bank said; "We are very proud of our involvement in the The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Programme as we take great satisfaction in both recognising and rewarding the achievements of Ireland's entrepreneurial community. Through our business we get the opportunity to see the true spirit and passion of entrepreneurship and we know how important it is to foster, encourage and support this talent. We do this by sponsoring these awards and indeed by providing businesses with expert advice and the essential tools required to be successful in the Irish or international business arena."
"Since business cannot succeed in a society that fails, it has become imperative for companies to partner in the development of the community and environment, added Enda Kelly. The 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Programme brings an exciting opportunity to raise awareness of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This year, our Caribbean CEO Retreat is a celebration of entrepreneurial success and the strategic value of CSR".
All 24 finalists, along with previous year's finalists, will travel to Haiti, the poorest country in the world, to exercise their strategic expertise to help a number of communities improve their economic and social circumstances in a practical, sustainable manner. This trip will be preceded with strategic learning workshops, facilitated by one of the world's leading CSR thinkers, Dr. Kellie McElhaney, Berkeley University, California, illustrating the many ways in which deep-rooted CSR can generate positive business growth.
The 24 finalists in the 2007 programme fall into three set categories; Industry, International and Emerging and will each be profiled in further detail in the Irish Times over the next six weeks, beginning with the International Category on Monday 28th May.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year is run in association with The Irish Times, RTE, Ulster Bank, Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Digicel. Further information can be viewed online at
www.eoy.ieThe 11 members of the Judging Panel are:
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Denis O'Brien, Digicel Group (Chair), Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 1998
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Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, Randox Laboratories Ltd, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2004
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Aidan Heavey, Tullow Oil Plc, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2005
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Brian Long, Atlantic Bridge Ventures, Ernst & Young Technology Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2000
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Pat Maher, Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland
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Liam Nellis, Chief Executive, InterTrade Ireland
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Padraig O'Ceidigh, Chairman, Aer Arann Express
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Liam Shanahan, Shanahan Engineering, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® 2003
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Donal Durkan, Invest Northern Ireland
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Ann Heraty, CPL Resources plc., Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2006
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Pat McDonagh, Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2000
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Shortlist Finalists 2007
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Entrepreneur
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Company
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Business Activity
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Founded
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Location
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International
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Dr. Sir Allen McClay
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Almac Group Ltd
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Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology
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2001
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Craigavon
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Darryl Ismail
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Chase International
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Travel and Online Technology
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1990
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Dublin
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Gerard Barry
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Fintrax Group
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Tourist Tax Refunds & Payment Card Transaction Processing
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1985
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Galway
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James Kilbane
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Grafton Recruitment
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Recruitment
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1982
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Belfast
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Stephen Grant
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Grant Engineering Ireland
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Engineering
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1978
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Offaly
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Michael Dawson
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The Gift Voucher Shop
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The Production & Sale of Gift Vouchers and Gift Cards
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2002
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Dublin
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Dave Ronayne
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Mainport
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Shipping
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1957
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Cork
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Liam Casey
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PCH International
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Supply Chain Management
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1996
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China
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Industry
|
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Lord Rana
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Andras House
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Property Development and Hospitality Management
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1981
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Antrim
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Sammy Leslie
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Castle Leslie Estate
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Hospitality & Property Development
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1991
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Monaghan
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Gerard Cleary
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Glenisk Ltd
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Food Production
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1986
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Offaly
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John O'Neill
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Heatons
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Retail
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1946
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Dublin
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Brian Irwin
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WD Irwin & Sons Ltd.
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Quality sands and aggregates, bakery and property development
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1912
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Portadown
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Dominic Walsh
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MSO Group
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Printed Packaging
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2002
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Belfast
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Michael Taggart
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Taggart Holdings
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Construction
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1989
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Derry
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