COACH operator Airporter claimed the highly sought-after title of Business of the Year at the Derry Business Awards, hosted by the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce and the City Centre Initiative and held at the City Hotel.
The awards ceremony, sponsored by the Bank of Ireland, is one of the north west region’s premier events in the business calendar. It was sold-out weeks in advance and attracted more than 300 guests.
The other headline award, that of Entrepreneurs of the Year, went to Malachy Connor and Liam Gallagher, directors or Allpipe Engineering.
The business community in Derry expressed its deep appreciation for the life of widely respected Martin McCrossan when his widow Sharon was given a special award in recognition of the role he played in promoting Derry and business within the city.
Other awards went to An Grianan (best tourism initiative), Pier 59 (hospitality business), Ilex (outstanding contribution to arts and culture), Airporter (excellence in innovation), Deborah O’Donnell (best newcomer), Wurkhouse (best use of digital and/or social media), Curtis Opticians (retail customer focus), Flossies Fudge (‘taste of the North West’), MPA (employee excellence), Derry Youth & Community Workshop (social enterprise), Hamilton Architects (professional service excellence), Seagate (healthy workplace 2015) and Linda Durey (MBA Excellence).
