PATRICK Joy, founder and chairman of Belfast-based engineering firm suretank, heads to Monaco tomorrow to represent Ireland at the EY World Entrepreneur Of the Year award.
He'll be among the 60 winners from 51 countries due to be inducted into the EY World Entrepreneur Of the Year Hall of Fame and compete for the world title, which will be announced on saturday. Suretank is the world's leading supplier of engineered solutions to the offshore oil and gas industry with turnover exceeding E 70 million (£57m).
Holding a 62 per cent global market share, suretank is also the leader in the transport tank industry and employs 700 people.
Patrick, winner of the 2013 EY Entrepreneur Of the Year, said: "It's a very humbling experience to be nominated among so many great entrepreneurs from around the world and I feel extremely honoured to have got this far.
"I owe much of my success to the hard work and commitment of my loyal workforce and the unwavering support of my family and close friends. Whatever the outcome of these awards I'm delighted to have got to this stage and hope I can be an inspiration to others."
EY's Frank O'keeffe, partner-in-charge of the EOY programme in Ireland, said: "Patrick represents the very best of what Ireland has to offer on a global stage, particularly in the engineering and manufacturing sector."
Last year, Ireland was named Europe's most entrepreneurial country by The Wall Street Journal, and EY World Entrepreneur Of the Year provides an ideal platform to showcase the world's leading entrepreneurs.
"I'm delighted to see such a terrific entrepreneur represent Ireland for the coveted world title at the awards this year," O'keeffe added. The overall winner is chosen by an independent judging panel of former EY Entrepreneur Of the Year winners and globally renowned entrepreneurs. The accolade is awarded on the basis of six criteria: entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, innovation, global impact and personal integrity/ influence.
In addition to the awards gala, the World Entrepreneur Of the Year Programme also includes a series of keynote speeches (including former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson), panel discussions and events tailored to the entrepreneurs and influential business leaders in attendance.