PRESS RELEASE: Winners of Galway Chamber Business Awards 2018 in association with Shannon Group plc
Press Release
3 December 2018
Collins McNicholas wins Galway Chamber’s Business of the Year Award 2018
Galway Chamber Business Awards and Gala Ball 2018 was hosted by President Dave Hickey on Saturday December 1st in the Galway Bay Hotel on front of a sold-out attendance of over 350.
The overall Winner of the Galway Chamber Business of the Year Award 2018 in association with Shannon Group was presented to Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services who were also Category Winners in the Best SME Category.
Receiving the award which was designed by ceramic artist Rachel Webb, Michelle Murphy, Director of Collins McNicholas said: “I am almost speechless that we have been selected not only Best SME but Business of the Year by Galway Chamber.”
“The quality of entries across all categories was very strong and we feel incredibly honoured to be selected from such an outstanding field.”
In a wide-ranging address to the attendees, Chamber President Dave Hickey said that the awards show that the spirit of enterprise has never been as evident as it currently is in Galway.
“Tonight’s nominees reflect the wider spirit of enterprise which is almost tangible in Galway whether it’s from a start-up in the PorterShed or a large multi-national in Parkmore. One of Galway Chamber’s key goals is to nurture that spirit.”
He spoke about the importance of collaboration to make Galway the best place in Ireland in which to live, work and to visit.
President’s Award
Mark Gantly, a Senior R&D Director at Hewlett Packard Enterprise in Ballybrit received Galway Chamber’s President’s Award for 2018.
This award, sponsored by PwC, is made to an individual who has made a contribution to the business life of Galway that is outstanding in every way and embodies the theme of this year’s award of Global Ambition.
In addition to his work with HPE, Mark is the incoming Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce and a director of Music for Galway and Croí.
Dr Chris Coughlan.
Dave Hickey paid tribute to the late Dr. Chris Coughlan, a past-President of Galway Chamber, Chairman of WestBIC and a board member of its subsidiary GTC who died suddenly this year.
The Award for Best Emerging Enterprise was re-named in Chris’ honour.
AWARD WINNERS
The President’s Award sponsored by PwC.
This year’s recipient is Mark Gantly.
The Category Winners of the Galway Chamber Business Awards 2018, in association with Shannon Group were:
Dr. Chris Coughlan Award for Best Emerging Enterprise sponsored by WestBIC and Galway Technology Centre
Winner: The UX Studio
Best Innovation/R&D sponsored by EY
Winner: Enterprise Ireland Medical & Engineering Technologies Gateway, GMIT
Best SME sponsored by AIB
Winner: Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services
Best Customer Service sponsored by Bank of Ireland
Winner: Kilkenny Shop
Best Marketing including Social & Digital Media sponsored by Galway City Council
Winner: Connacht Rugby
Best Social Enterprise/CSR sponsored by Magnet Networks
Winner: Community Knowledge Initiative, NUI Galway
Best Tourism programme or initiative sponsored by Shannon Airport
Winner: The Convention Bureau
-ENDS-
