Cork Company of the Year crowned at gala event; Calls for city to become Europe's 'Green Capital'

Fri, 07 Feb, 2020 - 23:00

Roisin Burke

POLITICAL and business support can help Cork to become the European Green Capital by 2025, the president of Cork Chamber has said.

Speaking at Cork Chamber’s annual dinner tonight, Paula Cogan said: “In 2025 Cork should celebrate the honour of being the European Green Capital. Joining the ranks of Stockholm, Bristol, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Essen, Oslo and Lahti. I set a goal so that we may measure success. I call on all stakeholders, the city and county, the next government, the NTA, TII and our members to back this objective forcefully and with urgency.

Winners of the Large Company Category Frank Madden, Crest Solutions with Debbie Power, IOT Country Manager Vodafone, Conor Healy, Cork Chamber CEO and President of Cork Chamber Paula Cogan at the Cork Company of the Year 2020 in Cork City Hall. Pic Darragh Kane

“Fifteen years ago, 80% of people said they chose a company or job before a location. Today, 64% choose the city before they choose the company or the job. Quality of life, placemaking, culture and economic resilience are the defining factors ...a successful, progressive, and sustainable Cork is the metric that will define us,” Ms Cogan said.

Winners of the SME Category Sinéad Bleiel from AnaBio with Debbie Power, IOT Country Manager Vodafone, Conor Healy, Cork Chamber CEO and President of Cork Chamber Paula Cogan at the Cork Company of the Year 2020 in Cork City Hall. Pic Darragh Kane

Over 1,000 people, including leading industry and political figures, celebrated the winners at the dinner, which included Irish Distillers, Work Vivo, AnaBio and Crest Solutions.

The black-tie event was held in City Hall and the keynote speaker was Phillip King, curator, musician and film director.

Run in association with Vodafone Ireland, the awards involve a thorough four-month judging process.

Overall winner

The overall Cork Company of the Year 2020 winner was awarded to Irish Distillers, which is a producer of some of the world’s best known and most successful Irish whiskeys.

Accepting the award on behalf of Irish Distillers, Paul Wickham, general manager of Midleton Distilleries said: “We are truly honoured and humbled to receive the prestigious award of Cork Company of the Year. Led by Cork Chamber, our home county, where we have operated since 1825, is a vibrant, supportive and inspiring environment and is one of the best places in the world to do business.

“There has never been a more exciting time for Irish whiskey and today Jameson is one of Ireland’s most recognised brands worldwide.

“This award is a tribute to the tireless dedication and excellence of all the craftsmen and women at Midleton and Dungourney, along with all the people who have worked with us through the centuries, whose hard work and passion has put us on the world stage.”

Category winners

Winners of the Emerging Category John Goulding and Joe Lennon from Workvivo with Conor Healy, Cork Chamber CEO, Debbie Power, IOT Country Manager Vodafone and President of Cork Chamber Paula Cogan at the Cork Company of the Year 2020 in Cork City Hall. Pic Darragh Kane

Other category winners included WorkVivo which was crowned Cork Emerging Company of the Year 2020 for their internal communication platform which is designed to increase employee engagement.

Cork SME Company of the Year 2020 was won by AnaBio, whose mission is to improve health and performance through micro-encapsulation of sensitive functional ingredients.

Cork Large Company of the Year 2020 was won by Crest Solutions, an engineering services provider to multinational life sciences clients in Ireland, UK, Europe and the US.

Ms Cogan said of the award’s process: “Throughout this year’s judging process, it has been particularly exciting to meet companies that excel in sustainability, diversity and inclusion thus leading on delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals while also leaving a lasting mark on both Cork and the world.”