Athlone represented at EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards

Athlone and Westmeath will be well represented at this year’s prestigious EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards taking place later this month in Wicklow.

Geraldine Killian of The Lunch Bag will fly the flag for Athlone in the Emerging category on Thursday, November 23.

Shortlisted in the International category are Ted Wright of Writech in Mullingar, Brian Fahey of MyComplianceOffice and Neil Skeffington of Novelplast Teoranta, both of whom are originally from Athlone.

Awards will be presented across three categories - Emerging, Established and International - with one overall winner selected as the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland 2023.

An additional sustainability award will be presented to the finalist who is making the biggest contribution towards environmental sustainability through their business.

The 23 shortlisted entrepreneurs span a range of sectors including technology, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, retail, consumer products, and engineering. Collectively this group of world class business leaders are already generating annual revenues of more than €700M and employ over 5,000 people.

Geraldine Killian of The Lunch Bag said: “We entered this competition with a preconception of what awards were - but the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year experience is nothing like we could have imagined. The camaraderie and support from the other finalists, the alumni and the team at EY has been the most welcome surprise. We have gained so much from the whole process, but the friendships we have made will outlive any career."

Commenting ahead of the awards, Roger Wallace, Partner Lead for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme said: “The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards night is drawing ever closer and the wait for our finalists is almost over. This year’s finalists are an incredible group of entrepreneurs who are achieving outstanding success both here in Ireland and across the globe.

"They represent a wide range of sectors, with sustainability businesses being particularly prominent this year. The finalists have certainly presented a challenge to our independent judging panel who have been tasked with selecting this year’s winners. On a personal note, I have really enjoyed getting to know each of this year’s finalists over the past few months and I wish them all the very best for the awards”.

Neil Skeffington of Novelplast Teoranta said: “It has truly been an honour to share the EY Entrepreneur Of The Yea (EOY) platform with this year’s finalists. For such a diverse range of businesspeople from different many sectors, we have developed a unique bond and friendship as the year has progressed.

"The EOY Alumni are a fantastic network of peers who are always forthcoming with advice and assistance, and to now be part of that is of immeasurable value. We are all looking forward to awards night, more so as the culmination of what has been a life changing experience rather than in anticipation of winning the awards. Though Winning an award would be a bonus of course!”

Meanwhile, Ted Wright of Writech said: “What a wonderful experience it has been to be part of the 2023 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Programme. I have met the most capable and amazing people from all types of business. I have been exposed to different industries and markets, found friendships that will last for years. I cannot wait for the awards night, to celebrate the achievements of 23 great entrepreneurs, and salute the overall winner of winners.”

Brian Fahey of MyComplianceOffice said he was honoured to be chosen as a changemaker in the 2023 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme.

"Participating in the programme pushed and clarified my thinking about business and strategy, provoking insights that have been applied to make MyComplianceOffice a stronger company and me a more effective CEO. I am humbled to be in the community of other visionary leaders striving to drive positive change across Ireland and beyond.”

Now in its 26th year in Ireland, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Programme has established itself as a world-class development programme that supports, promotes, and connects an extraordinary community of entrepreneurs, championing entrepreneurship throughout the island of Ireland and around the world.

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland awards will be broadcast live on YouTube from 5.30pm on Thursday, November 23 and will also be broadcast later that evening on RTÉ One television.