The very best employees and teams from the business community across the Greater Newry Area were celebrated at a glittering awards ceremony.
The event, organised by the Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade, took place at the Canal Court Hotel & Spa on Thursday 26th September in front of over 350 guests and honoured the achievements of 23 individuals and organisations.
The winners came from organisations of all sizes from start-ups to social enterprises, charities, family businesses right up to the major global players based here.
The categories also reflected the key sectors in the local area including retail, hospitality, professional services, construction, digital, manufacturing and engineering.
The Best Overall Team went to the New Product Development Team at DELI LITES and the Best Overall Employee went to Padraig Harte from PIPS Hope and Support. See full list of winners below.
Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber commented:
“There is no question the few years have been amongst the toughest times faced by businesses and society in general. However, from the 120+ award applications received by the Chamber, we can clearly see that the local economy is being driven by many hardworking, ambitious and talented people.”
“The Employee & Team Awards hold a special place for me, as this is the opportunity to really recognise our people. I often say to my team, that leaders are only as good as their team. I would say most business owners would say that if it wasn’t for the commitment, work and loyalty of their teams, we would never have made it through the last couple of difficult years.”
“The Greater Newry Area is recognised as a place synonymous with entrepreneurship, innovation, excellent service, product quality and customer care. This year’s awards have recognised the very best that this region’s business community has to offer. Well done to all individuals and teams that entered and congratulations to the winners.”
The awards could not happen without the generous support of our category sponsors. So we would like to thank them all. ABP Food Group, Newry BID, Southern Regional College, U105, MJM Marine, Collins Aerospace, Gray Design, Digney Grant, Newry Reporter, Bank of Ireland, Canal Court Hotel, Newry Credit Union, Jack Murphy Jewellers, Newry Democrat, DELI LITES, AbbeyAutoline, Translink, FD Technologies, S&W Wholesale, O’Hare & McGovern and The Exact Group.
WINNERS:
Best Retail Employee
Brenda McDonnell, Mulkerns EUROSPAR
Sponsored by ABP Food Group
Best Retail Team
Jack Murphy Jewellers
Sponsored by Newry BID
Best Hospitality & Tourism Employee
Berni Lively, The Whistledown Hotel
Sponsored by Southern Regional College
Best Hospitality & Tourism Team
The Whistledown Hotel
Sponsored by U105
Best Manufacturing & Engineering Employee
Martina Small, Viltra
Sponsored by MJM Marine
Best Manufacturing & Engineering Team
Pure Engineering Group
Sponsored by Collins Aerospace
Best Property & Construction Employee
Johnny Connolly, Cole Groundwork Contracts
Sponsored by Gray Design
Best Property & Construction Team
JP Corry Newry
Sponsored by Digney Grant
Best Professional Services Employee
Sarah McStravick, Digney Grant
Sponsored by Newry Reporter
Best Professional Services Team
NFU Mutual Armagh & Markethill
Sponsored by Bank of Ireland
Best Health & Wellbeing Team
Duality Healthcare Newry
Sponsored by Canal Court Hotel & Spa
Best Charity Team
Re-Gen (Charity Team)
Sponsored by Newry Credit Union
Best Social Enterprise Team
Bolster Community
Sponsored by Jack Murphy Jewellers
Best Marketing & Communications Team
S&W Wholesale
Sponsored by Newry Democrat
Best Family Business Employee
Corinna McKee, Jack Murphy Jewellers
Sponsored by DELI LITES
Best Family Business Team
MJM Marine
Sponsored by AbbeyAutoline
Best New Entrepreneur
Donna McNeill, Archie Lloyd’s Hair Extensions
Sponsored by FD Technologies
Best New Business Team
Mourne Private Clinic
Sponsored by S&W Wholesale
Best Public Sector Employee
Eamonn Connolly, Newry BID
Sponsored by O’Hare & McGovern
Best Higher Level Apprentice
Jack McElherron, MJM Marine
Sponsored by Southern Regional College
Diversity Champion in the Workplace
Liam Devine, Clanrye Group
Supported by Newry Chamber
Overall Employee of the Year
Padraig Harte, PIPS Hope and Support
Sponsored by Translink
Overall Team of the Year
DELI LITES (New Product Development Team)
Sponsored by The Exact Group