Category: Pharmaceutical and Healthcare
Emma Doherty is a partner in Matheson’s Corporate and Commercial Department and a member of the firm’s International Business Group. She advises many of Ireland’s leading indigenous and multinational companies across diverse sectors. Emma serves on the Company Law Review Group, the statutory advisory body to the Minister for Business on company law. In 2021, she was named Corporate Governance Lawyer of the Year at the Women in Business Law Awards Europe.
Category: Pharmaceutical and Healthcare
With over 25 years’ experience in the food, beauty, and healthcare sectors, Michelle is Strategic Marketing and Planning Manager at Uniphar. A commercially focused senior marketing professional, she has a proven track record in brand building and consumer communications. Her expertise spans media and creative agencies, media suppliers, and FMCG marketing. Recognised as a motivational and humble leader, Michelle brings strong strategic, creative, and diagnostic skills to the judging panel.
Category: Technology
Arlene Kenny is a dynamic marketing and communications leader with over 16 years’ B2B and B2C experience across technology, recruitment, and tourism. Holding a Master’s in Marketing & Management with a focus on brand storytelling, she excels at crafting narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. As Group Marketing & Communications Manager at Viatel Technology Group, Arlene has been instrumental in evolving the company’s brand, supporting its rapid growth and ongoing success.
Category: Retail and E-Commerce
Account Managerof TikTok Shop Ireland, Katey McElroy, focuses on educating and inspiring small medium businesses on the benefits of TikTok advertising and how it can help your business grow. An ambitious and dedicated self-starter with an enthusiasm for technology. A team player with a passion for success with excellent speaking and presentation abilities.
Category: Retail and E-Commerce
Seán is Strategic Communications & Digital Development Manager at .ie, leading marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement to strengthen the .ie brand and highlight its role in Ireland’s digital future. His work spans strategic communications, digital policy, and public affairs, engaging with government, industry, and community stakeholders to advance digitalisation, cybersecurity, and innovation. Seán focuses on building partnerships that empower people, businesses, and communities to thrive online with confidence and trust, ensuring a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem.
Category: Professional Services and Business Support Solutions
Emma Lohan is a Business Banking Manager at PTSB with extensive experience advising and supporting Irish businesses across multiple sectors by delivering tailored financial solutions that drive growth, create jobs and sustain communities across Ireland. With a strong network and proactive approach, she is passionate about building long-term relationships, and helping SMEs thrive in a competitive market.
Category: Professional Services and Business Support Solutions
John has over 30 years of experience in the Insurance industry. John joined FBD in 1999 and over this time has held a number of senior technical and sales management positions.
As Head of Business Insurance, John is particularly passionate about building on FBD’s 50 year history of providing business customers with great value, tailor made insurance solutions from Ireland’s only homegrown insurer while remaining committed to supporting local communities across the country.
Category: Professional Services and Business Support Solutions
Niall Jones is Head of Listing Ireland and UK at Euronext, with over 20 years’ experience in financial advisory and exchanges. Since joining Euronext Dublin in 2019, following roles at Davy, ABN AMRO and Morgan Stanley, he has managed relationships with listed companies and supported firms seeking to list across Euronext’s seven markets. Niall also leads IPOready Ireland, helping high-growth companies raise finance, access capital markets, and drive funding and growth within the Irish ecosystem.
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Deirdre Devaney is an experienced retail executive and Global Head of Beauty for Aer Rianta International, where she shapes the beauty strategy across 15 international locations. She began her career at Harrods in senior management and buying roles before returning to Ireland as Senior Fashion Buyer at Brown Thomas, helping establish it as Ireland’s leading luxury store. In 2008, she became Arnotts’ Fashion and Beauty Director. Deirdre is also a Non-Executive Director and member of the Institute of Directors.
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Richard Miley is Head of Marketing Communications at An Post, leading marketing across the Mails and Parcels division. A passionate marketeer, he has been central to An Post’s transformation from a letter-focused operation to a thriving eCommerce logistics partner. Richard has delivered award-winning campaigns including ‘Tin Man’ Send Love at Christmas, Digital Stamp, ‘Send Love’ and Circular Economy. He also developed Advantage Card, providing over €10 million in discounted postage to SMEs nationwide.
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Tracy Ormiston has been Advertising Director at THE GLOSS magazine for 20 years, building strong links with leading Irish and international fashion and lifestyle brands. Passionate about print, she has played a central role in the magazine’s evolution and oversees the annual GLOSS Gala at the RDS, Ireland’s largest and most glamorous business event, attended by nearly 1,700 women. Tracy is renowned for her empathetic business approach and her discerning eye for fashion.
Category: Guaranteed Irish Gift, Home and Lifestyle
Róisín Lafferty is an internationally renowned, award-winning Irish design studio, recognised for creating captivating, detail-driven environments across Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Founded in 2010 by Creative Director Róisín Lafferty, the studio combines interior architecture, art, and innovation to deliver bold, immersive designs. Honoured with prestigious awards and featured in leading publications, it continues to redefine spaces worldwide. In 2025, the studio expanded with the Róisín Lafferty Gallery in Dublin, showcasing its collection alongside curated furniture, lighting, and art.
Category: Family Run Business
Aisling Lee is Managing Director of Southern Tapes & Packaging (STP), a second-generation, family-run business and one of Ireland’s leading packaging companies. Established in 1984, STP provides trusted packaging solutions, machinery, and technology across industries. Aisling and her team are proud to support Irish businesses of all sizes, offering practical, cost-effective, and increasingly sustainable solutions that strengthen operations and drive growth. STP proudly sponsors the Family Business Award at the 2026 Guaranteed Irish Business Awards.
Category: Family Run Business
Camilla advises on a wide range of Irish and international tax matters including investment and acquisition structuring, expansion, exiting a business, succession planning and inter-generational transfers of wealth.
She also specialises in family business matters and has completed the STEP Advanced Certificate in advising Family Business.
Category: Food and Beverage Supplier or Producer
Anne has always been obsessed with food! From studying Nutrition & Food Marketing in UCC to working in the food industry for over 20 years, Anne has always kept her passion for food and bringing the best consumer propositions to shoppers at the forefront of what she does. Starting her career as a Kerry Foods graduate, working in Ireland and the UK, to now working with Musgrave Retail Partners as Head of Food Leadership, Anne has experienced the food industry from both a supplier and retailer perspective.
Category: Food and Beverage Supplier or Producer
Conor O’Flynn is the Trading Manager for the Beer & Spirits categories in Musgrave Retail Partners developing the range & consumer offer for SuperValu & Centra stores in Ireland.
He is a qualified account with over 17 years of Retail experience in Musgrave across both Finance & Trading departments.
Category: Food and Beverage Supplier or Producer
Mark is an accomplished commercial leader with national and international experience, driving sustained revenue growth across diverse industries. Working closely with Boards and C-Suite executives, he activates strategies to achieve organizational goals. By fostering strategic partnerships, optimizing operations, and delivering measurable outcomes, he enhances public trust and engagement. Known for his collaborative spirit, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership, Mark champions continuous improvement, operational excellence, innovation, customer insights, and cultivating a positive, high-performing workplace.
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Conor Manning is Operations Director at Pipelife Ireland Solutions, Ireland’s leading manufacturer of domestic, industrial, and agricultural piping systems. With over 25 years’ experience at operational and strategic levels, he combines strong people management, business acumen, and analytical skills to drive growth and navigate challenges. Passionate about people and excellence, Conor is committed to building on Pipelife’s 55-year legacy, supporting Irish manufacturing, maintaining high standards, and creating jobs across Ireland..
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Shane Dempsey has over 20 years’ leadership experience in trade associations and representative bodies, including senior roles with the Irish Software Association, IBEC, and as Director of Corporate Affairs at the Construction Industry Federation. Since 2023, he has served as Director General of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland, Chair of the Construction Industry Council, and Board Member of EFCA. He was also Chairperson of WorkEqual, empowering women in employment, and a board member of the Rainbow Club, supporting people with disabilities in Cork.
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Category: Sustainability
Fergus is Director of Sustainability and Efficiency, Bakery at ARYZTA Ireland, holding a BSc (Hons) in Food Science from University College Cork. After nine years as Plant Manager, he now focuses on ESG initiatives, reducing Scope 3 carbon emissions, and ensuring compliance with ISO14001 and the Origin Green program. In 2022, he represented the industry on CIRCULÉIRE and in 2023 signed the EPA Food Waste Charter. His earlier career was in the dairy industry, spanning QA, environmental, and plant management roles.
Category: Sustainability
Karen is a Co-Founder of SustainabilityWorks, a consulting firm on a mission to accelerate Ireland’s transition to a sustainable future. She helps organisations develop and communicate sustainability and ESG strategies. Over her 20-year career, Karen has advised multinationals and SMEs from many different sectors across the UK, Ireland, USA and Europe. She loves making the complex world of sustainability simple, so that people feel empowered to take action. Prior to this, Karen worked in London for sustainability consultancies Salterbaxter, Corporate Culture, and the Carbon Trust.
Category: Sustainability
Shane is Managing Director at KPMG Sustainable Futures, Ireland’s largest dedicated sustainability practice. He has 20+ years’ experience of international manufacturing operations, investor relations and sustainability development. He works across multiple sectors both public and private, developing sustainability strategies, climate transition plans, carbon accounting, ESG due diligence, and decarbonisation. He is a Non-Executive Director of ECO UNESCO, Ireland’s environmental education and youth organisation that works to conserve the environment and empower young people
Category: Guaranteed Irish Small Business of the Year
Suzanne Lloyd is Head of Brand & Marketing at PTSB, with over 20 years’ experience in advertising and financial services. She has extensive expertise in brand strategy, consumer insights, retail and business banking marketing, and sponsorships, including work in the Canadian banking sector. A passionate advocate for the customer, Suzanne champions customer experience, innovation, and creativity, helping businesses build their brand as a strategic asset, connect meaningfully with clients, and drive long-term success.