Pictured above: Tom Woods, Head of Clients & Markets, Ian Hyland, President & CEO of Business & Finance Media Group, Julie Sinnamon, Chairperson of the Judging Panel and Ryan McCarthy, Managing Partner of KPMG Ireland.
The 2025 Business & Finance Awards, in association with KPMG, will take place on 11th December at the Convention Centre Dublin. Julie Sinnamon, former CEO of Enterprise Ireland, has been appointed to the position of Chairperson of the judging panel.
Established in 1974, the awards have become a cornerstone of Ireland’s corporate and public life. Over the past five decades, the programme has celebrated some of the world’s most influential leaders, including President Bill Clinton, Mary Robinson, Kofi Annan, Sir Bob Geldof, Ursula von der Leyen and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
As Ireland continues to thrive as a global hub for business, the awards provide a platform to reflect on the successes of the past while setting a vision for the future.
Ryan McCarthy, Managing Partner of KPMG Ireland said: “KPMG is delighted to continue our partnership with the flagship Business & Finance Awards. There are so many companies and individuals in the Irish business community that have achieved amazing success and demonstrated incredible innovation but also resilience over the last year. We look forward to receiving many superb nominations and extend our very best wishes to all the companies and individuals entering the awards.”
Honouring Loretta Brennan Glucksman
TK Whitaker Award
Loretta Brennan Glucksman to receive the TK Whitaker Award at the 2025 Business & Finance Awards, in recognition for her Outstanding Contribution to Ireland & Public Life.
An esteemed Irish-American philanthropist, Loretta has dedicated her life to championing Irish culture, peacebuilding, and education. Her philanthropic journey began in 1989 alongside her late husband, Lewis Glucksman, and Chuck Feeney of The Atlantic Philanthropies, with the funding of a library at the University of Limerick. This marked the beginning of a legacy that would span decades and continents.
In 1993, she endowed Glucksman Ireland House at New York University, establishing a vibrant centre for Irish studies and cultural exchange. As Chair Emerita of The Ireland Funds America, Loretta played a pivotal role in raising hundreds of millions of dollars to support thousands of non-profit organisations across Ireland. Her leadership was instrumental in advancing the Peace Process, particularly through support for cross-community initiatives and integrated education in Northern Ireland.
Loretta’s influence extends across the cultural and academic landscape, having served on the boards of the IDA, National Gallery of Ireland, National Library, National Concert Hall, Trinity College Dublin, and the Abbey Theatre and her contributions have been recognised with numerous honorary doctorates and the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad.
Honouring Eddie Jordan
Outstanding Contribution to Ireland Award
Eddie Jordan will be honoured with the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Ireland Award at this year’s Business & Finance Awards gala dinner, taking place on Thursday, 11th December 2025, in the company of over 1000 International business, political and social leaders at the Convention Centre Dublin.
This special award will recognise Eddie’s extraordinary legacy as a visionary and trailblazer in international motorsport, a dynamic force in business and a proud ambassador for Irish enterprise and culture on the world stage.
Founding Jordan Grand Prix in 1991—one of Formula One’s most iconic independent teams—to launch the careers of drivers such as Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, Eddie combined entrepreneurship, creativity, risk-taking and resilience. After Formula One, he built a second act as a popular media personality, investor, and business leader, all while maintaining a trademark charisma and Irish wit that made him beloved by audiences worldwide.
Eddie’s influence extended well beyond motorsport. As an investor and mentor, he supported numerous ventures in Ireland and internationally. He championed Irish entrepreneurship and innovation, using his platform to open doors for others and to promote Ireland as a modern, confident and creative nation. He was also deeply committed to philanthropy, generously supporting a range of charitable initiatives, particularly in the areas of children’s health and education.
Christine Lagarde receives Sutherland Leadership Award
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, received the prestigious Sutherland Leadership Award in April 2025 at a Gala Dinner at O’Reilly Hall, University College Dublin, in the presence of over 600 international business, political, and social leaders. The award is presented as part of the Business & Finance Awards Programme, in association with KPMG.
The Sutherland Leadership Award was established in 2018 with the support of the Sutherland Family to recognise outstanding international leaders who embody the values of one of Ireland and Europe’s most distinguished leaders, Peter Sutherland.
Previous recipients include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Henry (Hank) Paulson, José Manuel Barroso, Mario Draghi, Louise Richardson, Sir Nick Clegg, and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.
Christine Lagarde was recognised for her exceptional leadership in European and global financial policy and her role in driving economic stability. Her distinguished career includes serving as President of the ECB since 2019, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 2011 to 2019, and French Minister of the Economy, Finance, and Industry from 2007 to 2011.
Winners at the 2024 Business & Finance Awards
Combilift was announced as Company of the Year and Harry Hughes, CEO of Portwest Ireland, was named Business Person of The Year at the 50th annual Business & Finance Awards, in association with KPMG.
The awards celebrated a half-century of recognising excellence in Irish business and leadership. With over 1,000 attendees, the awards highlighted outstanding achievements in business while honouring individuals who have made significant contributions to Ireland and the world across multiple categories, showcasing innovation, sustainability, and leadership
Ian Hyland, President & CEO of Business & Finance Media Group, Martin McVicar, Managing Director of Combilift, 2024 Company of the Year winner, and Seamus Hand, Partner, KPMG Ireland.
Ian Hyland, President & CEO of Business & Finance Media Group, Harry Hughes, CEO of Portwest Ireland & 2024 Business Person of the Year Winner, and Seamus Hand, Partner, KPMG Ireland.
Sir Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta and former UK Deputy Prime Minister was presented with the Sutherland Leadership award. This prestigious accolade was established in 2018 to honour the legacy of Peter Sutherland.
Champion trainer Willie Mullins received the Outstanding Contribution to Ireland award for his unparalleled achievements in Irish sport. A trailblazer in the world of horse racing, Mullins has built a reputation as one of the nation’s most successful trainers.
The late Tony O’Reilly was honoured with the TK Whitaker award for his significant contributions to Irish business and public life. Renowned for his accomplishments as a rugby player, business leader, and philanthropist, O’Reilly left a legacy that continues to inspire. His family accepted the award on his behalf, underscoring his remarkable influence on Ireland’s economic and social progress.
Other winners of this year’s Business & Finance Awards in association with KPMG include:
- Elevation Company of the Year (in association with Enterprise Ireland): Sculpted by Aimee
- FDI of the Year (in association with IDA Ireland): Eli Lilly
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award: Workday
- Environmental, Social & Governance Award (in association with Coillte): Gas Networks Ireland
- Innovation of the Year: XOCEAN
Nick Clegg, President, Global Affairs at Meta and Former Deputy Prime Minister, United Kingdom, won the 2024 Sutherland leadership award.
Ivan Yates, broadcaster, Ian Hyland, President & CEO of Business & Finance Media Group, Willie Mullins, champion trainer and winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Ireland award, and Seamus Hand, Partner, KPMG Ireland.
Ian Hyland, President & CEO of Business & Finance Media Group, Tony O'Reilly accepting the TK Whitaker award on behalf of his late father, and Seamus Hand, Partner, KPMG Ireland.
Finalists breakfast
KPMG hosted the annual Business & Finance Awards finalists breakfast ahead of the awards ceremony at our innovation hub, Platform X.
Terry Clune, CEO of CluneTech and the 2023 Business Person of the Year award winner, was joined by the 2024 award nominees for an engaging roundtable discussion on entrepreneurship, geopolitical change, and growth strategies for 2024.
Leadership Forum
Last year, we launched the expansion of our awards programme with the introduction of the Leadership Forum - a network for C-suite executives. The inaugural Leadership Forum lunch took place at our innovation hub, Platform X.
Chaired by Ian Hyland (President & Publisher, Business & Finance) and Professor Frances Ruane (Chair of Business & Finance judging panel), the event brought together key business leaders, including Seamus Hand (KPMG Partner), Danny McCoy (CEO of Ibec), and Gary McGann (Chairman of Aon Investment Holdings Ireland Ltd & Sicon Limited, Sisk Group). They discussed the pressing challenges and opportunities in this era of unprecedented innovation.
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