We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2023 Women in Business Awards.
Now in their 11th year, the prestigious awards recognise, reward and celebrate the outstanding achievements of female business leaders from all sectors and industries across Northern Ireland.

The gala awards evening, again sponsored by Virgin Media O2 Business and hosted by Pamela Ballantine, took place on Thursday 2nd March at Belfast's Crowne Plaza Hotel. The judging panel was chaired by Roseann Kelly MBE, Chief Executive of the Women in Business Group.

Roseann Kelly said: “We've been simply blown away by the record number of entries to our 11th awards. With more than 200 submissions, it is a real testament not only to the reputation of the awards, but also the calibre of female business talent right here on our doorstep. The judging panel's job was made incredibly difficult by the exceptional standard of entries from across a breadth of sectors. But the 84 talented finalists are each having a real impact within their respective industries and are dedicated business women who are very much deserving of special recognition".

The Women in Business Awards 2023 winners are:

Award for Advancing Diversity in the Workplace
Individual Winner | Sarah Balmforth, Hughes Insurance
Organisation Winner | Fibrus
Award for Best Customer Service
Corporate Winner | Paula Mooney, Leckey
Small Business Winner | Roisin O’Hare, Brand Elevation
Award for Best in Professional Services
Corporate Winner | Joanne Alexander, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Small Business Winner | Melanie Dawson, Origin 7 Ltd
Award for Best Marketing Campaign
Corporate Winner | Claire Hale, Dale Farm Ltd
Small Business Winner | Roisin O’Hare, Brand Elevation
Award for Best New Start Up
Winner | Rabab Flack, Causeway Clear Ears
Award for Best Small Business
Winner | Tracey McNally, Ecohog Ltd
Award for Outstanding Innovation
Corporate Winner | Gabriela Martin, Concentrix Europe LTD
Small Business Winner | Ineke Rentmeesters, Ubloquity
Award for Best Green Business
Winner | Grainne O’Loane, Fish City
Award for Excellence in IT
Winner | Shannon Stronge, BT
Award for Outstanding Mentor
Winner | Lenore Rice, Wilson Nesbitt Solicitors
Award for Outstanding Management and Leadership
Winner | Tanya Martin, IQ & Co Ltd
Award for Young Business Woman of the Year
Winner | Niamh McCarthy, Niamh Designs
Award for Business Woman of the Year
Sponsored by Virgin Media O2 Business
Winner | Jackie Henry, Deloitte
 
Dates you need to know
  • Closing Date for Award Submissions | Please complete and return applications by no later than 12 noon on Monday 23rd January 2023.

  • Judging of Applications | Takes place on Thursday 27th January 2023.

  • Finalists Announced | Exclusively in The Irish News on Tuesday 31st January 2023.

  • Finalists Lunch | Takes place on Friday 10th February 2023.

  • Awards Gala | Takes place on Thursday 2nd March 2023.

Terms & Conditions

1. Entrants must be based and have an office located in Northern Ireland.

2. Please ensure nominees are available on Thursday 2nd March 2023 for the Awards Gala.

3. An application form will need to be completed for each entrant. The information provided will be disclosed only to the judges. Do not send any other documents / supporting materials as these will not be accepted.

4. There will be one winner per category (unless otherwise stated).

5. The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into before or after the judging. All decisions regarding the judging process are made by our judging panel.

6. Details provided in the application form will potentially be used, with approval, for press releases and web content if the nominee is placed as a finalist or winner, so please ensure it is factually correct - we will not be liable for inaccuracies published based on nomination content and changes may not be possible after publication.

7. Applications that do not meet the entry criteria will not be accepted.

8. Entrants can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else.

9. Entrants can apply for more than one category but must submit a full application each time i.e. one category per application.

10. Please complete the online entry process by no later than 12 noon on Monday 23rd January 2023.

Extra info
Recognition as a Women in Business award finalist and winner holds great prestige. You can benefit from increased media coverage and profiling, offering unique business opportunities that can help to drive your business forward. All finalists will join the Women in Business Award Finalist Alumnae – a group specially created to offer all finalists the opportunity to network with like-minded businesswomen and to stimulate opportunity for both personal and professional development.
 
All finalists will also have the opportunity to take part in an exclusive Finalist Retreat, where they will come together to be inspired by a range of speakers and network with their peers. More details will be unveiled in the coming months!
2022 Winners

Award for Advancing Diversity in the Workplace
Individual Winner - Jill Michael - A&L Goodbody
Company Winner - Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Ltd

Award for Best Customer Service
Corporate Winner - Aisling Press - Danske Bank UK  
Small Business Winner - Louise Skeath - SDG

Award for Best in Professional Services
Corporate Winner - Jenny Moore - Danske Bank UK
Small Business Winner - Una O’Duil - Home Instead

Award for Best Marketing Campaign
Corporate Winner - Leigh Osborne - Action Cancer
Small Business Winner - Colette McCartney - Holistic Kidz Ltd.

Award for Best New Start Up
Winner - Melanie Dawson - Origin7 Ltd

Award for Best Small Business
Winner - Alison McFadden - Continu  

Award for Outstanding Innovation
Corporate Winner - Kerry McCloy - Cleaver Fulton Rankin
Small Business Winner - Johanna Scullion - HR Made Easy

Award for Excellence in IT
Winner - Cathy Hawthorne – Kainos

Award for Outstanding Mentor
Winner - Donna O’Connor - Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service

Award for Outstanding Management and Leadership
Winner - Barbara McKiernan – VANRATH

Award for Young Business Woman of the Year
Winner - Jenna Hill - CHILL Gas Ltd

Business Woman of the Year
Winner - Tina McKenzie

Get in touch with your enquiries: 

awards@womeninbusinessni.com

Drinks reception sponsor:

Key Sponsor: