Lifetime Achievement Award for Moy Park Chief

Janet McCollum, chief executive of top poultry processor Moy Park, has gained a Lifetime Achievement Award in a recent major business event in Northern Ireland.

She was recognised in the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards, an annual event to celebrate Northern Ireland's business achievements. The awards are sponsored by Ulster Bank.

Janet has been managing director of the company since 2014, but first joined as European accountant back in 1993.

The poultry processor is Northern Ireland's only £1 billion plus business and among the region's the biggest employers.

Moy Park is now one of the UK's top 15 food companies, and part of the Brazilian-based JBS Group. The company exports poultry products worldwide.

Headquartered in Craigavon, county Armagh, the company employs 6,300 people in Northern Ireland and a total of 12,000, including its operations in Europe. It recorded pre-tax profits of £35.7 million in 2015.

There was another top award for a food business in Northern Ireland. Jack Hamilton of Mash Direct in Comber, county Down, was named Young Business Person of the Year. He is a director of the family farm-based business which specialises in vegetable products and convenience foods. Mash Direct is also a leading exporter, selling products to around 20 countries.