Nominations now open for 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme

This year’s programme will celebrate The Trailblazers 
 
Belfast, 18 January 2024: The 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ (EOY) programme is officially open for nominations today. Entrepreneurs from emerging, established, and international businesses operating across all industry sectors from across the island of Ireland invited to submit their nominations between now and 29th Feb 2024.
 
The theme for this year’s programme is The Trailblazers. Entrepreneurial trailblazers are true leaders with the courage and capacity to plot and follow their own path, pushing conventional boundaries and limits. 
Through their exploration of new technologies, sciences, applications and markets, entrepreneurs provide innovative answers and solutions to many of today’s greatest challenges. They are often pioneers within their respective industries both on the island of Ireland and across global markets. They forge their own unique trail to enable their companies, people, and the wider economy to reach new heights and aspirations.
 
Rob Heron, Partner Lead for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ in Northern Ireland said:
“We are very excited to invite entrepreneurs from Northern Ireland to submit their nominations for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2024 programme. Now in its 27th year, the programme exists to acclaim, drive, and inspire entrepreneurship across our island. This year we are celebrating the trailblazing entrepreneurs who are spearheading incredible businesses that are contributing to the growth of Northern Ireland’s economy and local communities. Northern Irish entrepreneurs continue to have a disproportionate global impact, reflecting an international scaling mindset and innate capacity to grow and succeed across borders and cultures. 
 
“One of the greatest strengths of the island of Ireland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is its diverse composition. For this reason, we are actively seeking and encouraging nominations from entrepreneurs of all ages and from all industries and locations.  
 
“24 finalists will be selected for this year’s programme. As finalists they will participate in an exciting strategic growth programme over a 10-month period, including a week-long CEO Retreat to South Africa.  They will also be welcomed into our acclaimed alumni community where they will have the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by many of our leading entrepreneurs who remain the heartbeat of the programme.”
 
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ alumni community comprises more than 600 entrepreneurs representing some of the greatest business minds across the island of Ireland. Collectively these businesses employ more than 250,000 people and generate revenues in excess of €23billion.
 
About the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme is open to entrepreneurs from all sectors and growth stages in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The awards programme is divided into three categories - Emerging, Established and International - with eight finalists chosen per category.
 
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Sustainability Award will also be presented to one of the finalists in recognition of their business’ significant contribution towards achieving and ensuring environmental sustainability.
 
EOY Judging Panel – Harry Hughes of Portwest to lead this year’s judging panel
The 24 finalists will be selected by an independent judging panel, comprising former winners, and chaired by Harry Hughes CEO of Portwest, who takes over the role from Anne Heraty CEO of CPL Resources plc. 
 
Speaking at the launch, Harry Hughes, CEO of Portwest and Chairperson of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Judging™ Panel said: 
“I’m honoured to take up the role of Chairperson of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Judging™ Panel this year. Since winning EY Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2017, I have remained very much involved in the programme through the alumni network. Being part of this programme and its network has been hugely beneficial for me, both personally and professionally. The programme strongly advocates for entrepreneurs knowing just how significant a contribution they make to the growth and success of our economy and communities. We know that across the island of Ireland there are many brilliant, pioneering entrepreneurs who are achieving incredible success and I want to encourage them to take the opportunity to submit their nominations for this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme. Taking part in the EOY programme could be the essential next step they need to take to elevate their business and scale new heights.” 
 
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland programme is supported by Premium Corporate Sponsor Julius Baer International, and Government sponsors Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland. 
Anyone interested can find out more or complete an online nomination form at www.eoy.ie. Those nominating someone else must do so with the entrepreneur’s consent.