On November 27th, Bord Bia presented nine awards for excellence to some of Ireland’s foremost organisations and brands at the biennial Food and Drink Awards in Dublin’s RDS.
ABP Food Group received the overall Sustainability Award for achieving ambitious sustainability targets ahead of schedule and for creating what judges described as a ‘sustainability culture that permeates every part of the business’.
The Shed Distillery was awarded the Brand Marketing award for demonstrating ‘a masterclass in brand development’ and Silver Hill Farm received the Export Growth award for continuing to achieve impressive growth in the ‘very competitive’ Asian market.
Two new awards this year focussed on one of Bord Bia’s four strategic priorities, ‘Leading through People’.
The Future Leader award, which aims to foster entrepreneurial culture and skill in the food & drink sector, was presented to ‘rising star’ Philp Martin, CEO, Blanco Nino.
The first-ever Diversity & Inclusion award was bestowed to two companies – Diageo and Dawn Meats – who were both recognised as ‘exemplars’ in Diversity & Inclusion policies across their respective businesses. West Cork’s Glenilen Farm received the ‘Consumer Insight’ Award; the Domestic Success Award was presented to fresh produce distribution company Keelings Select, and HEINEKEN Ireland received the Sustainability Project Impact Award.
Speaking at the event, Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia CEO, said, “As Ireland's largest indigenous industry, it is important to recognise the achievements and ongoing progress of the sector. We are delighted to gather to honour the talent, imagination and sheer professionalism that is at the heart of the industry’s current success and that will secure its continued growth and expansion.The winning companies have showcased the importance of setting clear business strategies and objectives, informed by consumer and market insights, and adopting a company culture which encourages both innovation and imagination.
And all of this is underpinned by strong leadership and, no doubt, a lot of hard work.
I would like to congratulate our nine winners and thank them for their ongoing contribution to the positive reputation for Irish food and drink on the global market.”