HOTELIER Bill Wolsey, the man behind the Merchant and who last month opened Belfast's newest city centre hotel The Bullitt, clarried off the top accolade at the 10th anniversary UTV Business Eye Awards in front of a record-breaking Waterfront Hall audience of more than 700 guests.
He is the driving force at the helm of the Beannchor Group, which owns a thriving portfolio of pubs around Northern Ireland as well as the Little Wing Pizzeria chain.
Wolsey, who's spent 40 years in the hospitality sector and is showing no sign of lifting his foot off the throttle, was named Business Personality of the Year at the Business Eye Awards, which this year had a new headline sponsor in Emirates.
Cookstown building material manufacturers Keystone Group took the Company of the Year title, recognising its growth from a manufacturer of roof lintels to a major manufacturer employing more than 1,000 people.
And a double Lifetime Achievement Award went to Co Tyrone brothers Jack and Jim Dobson, founders of giant meat processing group Dunbia in Dungannon.
Other key winners included Chris Martin of Belfast-based online retailer Ozaroo, dynamic Portadown company Deluxe Group and US-owned Allstate.
“These awards are a great partnership for Emirates and help demonstrate our commitment to the Northern Irish market,” said Enda Corneille, country manager for Emirates in Ireland.
“Emirates operates two flights daily from Dublin direct to Dubai and onwards to a wide range of worldwide destinations, and Northern Ireland-based business passengers are an important part of our growing customer base.”
Michael Wilson, managing director of UTV Television - which will show a one-hour special on the awards after News at Ten on Tuesday December 6, said: “UTV has had the opportunity to support the Business Eye Awards since their inception a decade ago and once again businesses across Northern Ireland have showcased their innovation, strengths and credibility not only at a local level but as international players also."
Judging for this year's awards took place at the tallest dedicated hotel in the world, the JW Mariott Marquis Hotel in Dubai, and the other winners were:
:: International Award – Brookvent
:: Agri Food Innovation Award - Musgrave/Supervalu
:: Business Marketing Award – Danske Bank
:: Tourism & Hospitality Project of the Year – The MAC, Belfast
:: Fast Growth Business of the Year – WIS Group
:: Most Innovative Company of the Year – Bloc Blinds
:: Waste Reduction Project of the Year – Henderson Wholesale
:: Outstanding Leadership & Management Award - Gareth Loye, M&M Contractors
:: Best Digital/Online Company of the Year – The Irish FA
:: Foreign Direct Investment Project of the Year – Thales UK
:: Research & Development Project of the Year – Sphere Global
