Food leaders in running for IoD awards in Northern Ireland

Three top managers from Northern Ireland food manufacturers are shortlisted as finalists in the Institute of Directors 2018 Director of the Year Awards, sponsored by First Trust Bank.

A strong panel of leading businessmen and women reviewed the nominees and produced a shortlist of finalists in the prestigious awards in Northern Ireland.

The winners of the Director of the Year Awards, which recognise leaders across the private, third and public sectors who have set exceptional standards of leadership and demonstrated good corporate governance, will be announced at a ceremony on 18th May.

Category winners will then be considered for the national Director of the Year Finals in London, where Northern Ireland-based business leaders have received the Overall Director of the Year accolade in two of the last three years.

This year's shortlisted Directors from the Food industry are:

Director of the Year - Family Business

• Jack Hamilton - Mash Direct, Comber, county Down, a family-owned business producing potato and vegetable sides
• Joanne Molloy - TS Foods Ltd, Castlewellan, county Down, a manufacturer of convenience foods

Director of the Year - Innovation

• Denis Lynn - Lynn's Country Foods/Finnebrogue Artisan, Downpatrick, county Down, the leading producer of sausages, flexitarian dishes and nitrite-free bacon, ham and sausages.

Lisa Maltman, Business Development Manager, IoD NI, says: "Once again the standard of nominations for the IoD NI First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards has been of the highest quality and provides a further endorsement of the stellar pedigree of directors within the Northern Ireland business community.

"The judging panel had an extremely difficult job in choosing the shortlist and all finalists deserve huge congratulations. We look forward to announcing the winners in May as we honour the outstanding leadership they have displayed within their organisations."

Brian Gillan, Head of Business and Corporate Banking, First Trust Bank, adds: "Strong leadership is an essential attribute when it comes to growing any business. When it is effective, it is not only keenly felt within an organisation, but by the Northern Ireland economy as a whole. From judging this year's entries, we are seeing a commitment to innovative, open and honest leadership as local directors' focus on nurturing and enhancing those qualities that make an exemplary leader."

Pictured is Denis Lynn, Lynn's Country Foods/Finnebrogue Artisan, Downpatrick, county Down.