THE annual search for the north’s highest achieving business leaders has been lunched by the Institute of Directors (IoD).
The Director of the Year Awards 2021 is set to include a brand-new agility and resilience category designed to recognise the achievements of business leaders as they responded to a year of adversity through the Covid-19 pandemic and the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
IoD Northern Ireland chair Gordon Milligan said the awards provide an opportunity to shine a light on high standards of leadership after an unprecedented year for business.
“It is always important that our outstanding business leaders receive the recognition they deserve, but we believe that this is particularly essential as we begin to focus on post pandemic recovery,” said the chairman.
“We are particularly pleased that this year’s ceremony will take place in person once again, having moved to a virtual setting last year.
“It is vital that we continue to support our business community in order to contribute towards the ongoing growth and development of the Northern Ireland economy and the Director of the Year Awards will allow us to do just that.”
Orla McGerr from headline sponsors AIB added: “Given the challenges we have all faced in recent times, it is more important than ever to shine a light on the positive attributes of our successful local business leaders and entrepreneurs.”
Applications for the awards’ 12 categories are now open until October 11. A shortlist will be released ahead of the ceremony, which will take place on November 25.
All Northern Ireland category winners are shortlisted for the UK-wide Director of the Year finals in London.
The awards are open to both members and non-members. For more information see iod.com/ni.
The 12 Director of the Year Awards categories:
• Director of the Year - Non-Executive – sponsored by Deloitte
• Director of the Year - Agility and Resilience – sponsored by Schroders Personal Wealth
• Director of the Year - Innovation – sponsored by KPMG
• Director of the Year - Young – sponsored by Carson McDowell
• Director of the Year - Public Sector – sponsored by Capita Technology Solutions
• Director of the Year - Third Sector – sponsored by Capita Technology Solutions
• Director of the Year - Family Business – sponsored by BDO Northern Ireland
• Director of the Year - International – sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland
• Director of the Year - Small to Medium Business - sponsored by Ulster University Business School
• Director of the Year - Large Business – sponsored by ABL Group
• Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Board and Director Practice – sponsored by AIB
• Philanthropist of the Year – sponsored by Community Foundation Northern Ireland
