Top award for high flyer Hannan Meats

Hannan Meats, the high-end producer, processor, wholesaler and distributor of meat products to the food service sector in the UK, Ireland and Europe was awarded the Best Small Business trophy in Northern Ireland's leading awards.

Hannan Meats gained the prestigious Aer Lingus Viscount Award, organised with Ulster Business magazine, for continually developing new techniques to improve the quality and range of food it produces, which in turn allows it to pay premiums to farmer and primary producer partners.

It was among five of Northern Ireland's most ambitious companies honoured for their achievements at the seventh annual Aer Lingus Viscount Awards.

The awards lunch took place on Tuesday 21st April in the Members' Dining Room at the House of Commons, Westminster and was attended by some of Northern Ireland's most impressive and tenacious companies, representing a variety of industries and sectors.

The Viscount Awards, which have grown over the years to become one of the most respected events on the business calendar, continue to reward those organisations that represent the absolute best in their respective fields.

This year's awards entries were appraised by a seven strong panel of judges comprising Andrea Hunter, Aer Lingus business development manager in Northern Ireland; David Elliott, editor of Ulster Business; Jeremy Fitch, xecutive director, Business Solutions Group at Invest NI; Colin Walsh, hairman of CBI in Northern Ireland; Richard Sherriff, business editor of the News Letter; Gary McDonald, business editor of the Irish News and Alan Taylor, managing partner at Arthur Cox.

The categories were; Most Innovative Company; Exporter of the Year, Best Small, Medium and Large Business, Business Person of the Year; and finally The Aer Lingus Viscount Award for Overall Excellence.

Most Innovative Company of the Year was awarded to Devenish Nutrition, market leaders in developing and offering nutritional solutions to challenges faced by livestock producers. Amongst other recent triumphs, 2014 saw Devenish Nutrition create DeviGainPG, a unique concentrated protein that supplies amino acids in a targeted form that pigs can utilise more effectively.

Andrea Hunter, business development manager of Aer Lingus NI said: "Aer Lingus is delighted to be at the helm of these very prestigious business awards again this year, joining forces with Ulster Business to celebrate genuine innovation and the economic ties that exist between Northern Ireland, Great Britain and beyond.

"Receiving an Aer Lingus Viscount Award is a remarkable tribute as each year our judges raise the standard of expectation and are a tough bunch to please. It's been an honour to select the winning companies and we're looking forward to seeing their success stories continue.

"Robust air links are fundamental for the future economy of Northern Ireland to flourish and we are proud to connect businesses with opportunities globally every day via our Belfast City to Heathrow and Gatwick routes," she said.