FPM Managing Partner, Feargal McCormack, received the prestigious All Ireland Award from the Institute of Consulting Northern Ireland Region and the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisers (RoI) in recognition of his significant contribution to business and public life in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over the past 20 years at a “Catching the Rising Tide” Business Lunch held in the Titanic Belfast Centre on Tuesday 19 June 2012.
Feargal received his Award from Ms Arlene Foster MLA, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, in the presence of Martin Rice, Chair of the Institute of Consulting Northern Ireland region, Miriam Ahern, President of the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisers (RoI) and the Institute of Consulting Director, Huw Hilditch-Roberts. Achievement Awards were also presented to ACC Dave Jones PSNI (Chartered Management Award) and Eugene McGoldrick (Consultant of the Year Award).
Speaking at the “Catching the Rising Tide” lunch Martin Rice, Northern Ireland Regional Chair of the Institute of Consulting said: “It’s during tough times like these that the roles of the business consultant and the Institute of Consulting are becoming increasingly important across the island of Ireland. Many client organisations are struggling for survival and the support provided by business professionals across the whole range of business disciplines continues to make the difference between survival and failure!”. Martin added: “It is important that clients have confidence in the skills and competencies of members of the Institute. “The collective experience of our membership is already recognised and as this resource is harnessed for economic revival, the Institute has a responsibility to ensure that all members have access to the means of improving their professional skills.”
Congratulating the award winners, Arlene Foster said: “Success doesn’t come easily in the competitive world of business and awards such as these recognise hard work and commitment to continuous improvement.
“The Northern Ireland Economic Strategy recognises the need to build on our existing strengths as well as exploit new opportunities in the global economy. Sustained economic growth will only come from our businesses developing the competitive edge which differentiates them sufficiently to sell their products and services in international markets.
“My department and Invest Northern Ireland are committed to supporting local companies and helping them to grow in terms of overall sales, exports, innovation and employment. Invest NI’s Boosting Business programme has a range of measures on exports, R&D and skills. I would encourage all companies to access this support and explore the opportunities available.”
Feargal, a visiting Professor at the University of Ulster Business School is a former Board member of InterTradeIreland and a former Chairman of the International Centre for Local and Regional Development. He is currently Chairman of the Chartered Accountants Ireland NAMA Forum Committee, a member of the CBI Northern Ireland Regional Council and a Patron of Special Olympics Ireland.
Feargal joins a distinguished list of winners of this prestigious award, with the previous winners including:, former Irish President Mary McAleese, Senator George Mitchell, John Moloney Group Managing Director of Glanbia plc and former International Fund for Ireland Chairman Denis Rooney.
In his acceptance speech, Feargal McCormack stated he was humbled and honoured to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and expressed his appreciation to Minister Arlene Foster, the Institute of Consulting Northern Ireland Region and the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisers (RoI). Feargal added that he would like to acknowledge the many people who have assisted him in the development of his values, visions and actions. In particular he acknowledged his late parents, his wife Anne and family circle and his colleagues at FPM Chartered Accountants. Feargal went on to highlight how he believed businesses on the island of Ireland could explore and “Catch the Rising Tide” going forward.
Other speakers at The Institute of Consulting Awards Lunch included Liam Nellis, CEO Intertrade Ireland, who spoke on “The Internal Consultant & Cross-Border Linkages” and John Conway MD of Meteor Electrical Ltd who looked at “e-business and International Opportunities”
The Presentation Award Piece presented to Feargal McCormack, is a bespoke design by David Esler based in Donegore, Co. Antrim, and reflects the brown bull of Ulster as a symbol of strength in business, whilst the salmon reflects wisdom, knowledge and enterprise. The Harp represents Ireland, a coming together in harmony and shared experience while the oak leaf and acorns are to remind us that from small beginnings great things can grow, reflecting a sense of enterprise in business. The egg shape which gives the overall form of the design is synonymous with the artist, David Esler, present in many of his commissions and reflects new beginnings, life and ideas.
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