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      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 thrives 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.

      2025 Business and Finance Awards Honourees 

      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.

      Christine Lagarde receives Sutherland Leadership Award

      2024 Business & Finance Award winners

      Last year’s Business & Finance Awards marked a major milestone, the 50th anniversary of celebrating excellence in Irish business and leadership. Held in association with KPMG, the event welcomed over 1,000 guests to honour individuals and organisations making a significant impact in Ireland and beyond.

      Combilift was named Company of the Year 2024 and Harry Hughes, CEO of Portwest Ireland, received the Business Person of the Year 2024 award.

      The Sutherland Leadership Award was presented to Sir Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta and former UK Deputy Prime Minister. 

      Champion horse trainer Willie Mullins was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Ireland Award for his extraordinary achievements in Irish sport. A dominant figure in horse racing, Mullins has built a legacy as one of the most successful trainers in the country’s history.

      The late Tony O’Reilly was posthumously awarded the TK Whitaker Award for his remarkable contributions to Irish business and public life. 

      Additional award winners included:

      • 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
      Ian Hyland, Martin McVicar, Seamus Hand

      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, Harry Hughes, Seamus Hand

      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.

      Nick Clegg, President, Global Affairs at Meta and Former Deputy Prime Minister, United Kingdom, won the 2024 Sutherland leadership award.

      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.

      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.

      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.

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