The 2025 Business & Finance Awards, in association with KPMG, took place on 11 December in Dublin. Smurfit WestRock won the Company of the Year award and Dalton Philips, CEO of Greencore, was named Business Person of the Year at a packed Convention Centre in Dublin.
Ryan McCarthy at Business & Finance awards
Smurfit WestRock, Company of the Year (Ian Hyland, Ryan McCarthy, Ken Bowles, Micheál Martin)
Dalton Philips, Business Person of the Year (Ian Hyland, Ryan McCarthy, Dalton Philips, Micheál Martin)
Secretary Hillary Clinton honoured at the Business & Finance
Awards 2025
Ian Hyland, Hillary Clinton, Ryan McCarthy, Micheál Martin
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was also recognised on the evening as she accepted the prestigious Sutherland Leadership Award. Secretary Clinton was recognised for her contribution to the peace process and her long standing commitment to Ireland.
Speaking at the awards, Hillary Clinton said she was honoured to receive an award in Peter Sutherland’s name, saying “We need leaders like that today, people who stand up and speak out on behalf of bringing us together and not pulling us apart.”
Hillary Clinton closed with a powerful call to action:
Congratulations to all honourees and finalists for an inspiring evening celebrating leadership and excellence in Irish business.
2025 Business & Finance Awards Honourees
Awards honourees also included Loretta Brennan Glucksman, and the late Eddie Jordan, both recognised for their exceptional contributions to Irish life.
Established in 1974, the awards, supported by KPMG for many years, have become a cornerstone of Ireland’s corporate and public life.
Over 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.
Ian Hyland, Micheál Martin, Loretta Brennan Glucksman and Ryan McCarthy
2025 Business & Finance Awards Winners
- TK Whitaker Award for Outstanding Contribution to Ireland & Public Life: Loretta Brennan Glucksman
- Company of the Year (in association with KPMG): Smurfit Westrock
- Business Person of the Year (in association with KPMG): Dalton Philips, Greencore
- Elevation Company of the Year (in association with Enterprise Ireland): Manna Drone Delivery
- FDI of the Year (in association with IDA Ireland): Amazon Ireland
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award: Northern Trust
- Environmental, Social & Governance Award (in association with Coillte): Tesco Ireland
- Innovation of the Year: Deciphex
- Brand of the Year: National Broadband Ireland
- Public Enterprise of the Year: Bord na Móna
Christine Lagarde joins esteemed Sutherland Leadership Award recipients
As part of the 2025 Business & Finance Awards Programme, Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, was honoured with the Sutherland Leadership Award at a Gala Dinner in April at O’Reilly Hall, University College Dublin.
Over 600 global business, political, and social leaders attended to celebrate her contributions to international economic policy. Lagarde joins past recipients such as Ursula von der Leyen, Hank Paulson, José Manuel Barroso, Mario Draghi, Louise Richardson, Sir Nick Clegg, and Nancy Pelosi.
