Business

ALG named ‘Business of the Year’ at Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards

A&L Goodbody Belfast office head Michael Neill (second right) with (from left) Allianz Ireland chief executive Sean McGrath, Arts & Business NI chair Martin Bradley and A&BNI chief executive Mary Nagele. Photo: Aaron McCracken
A&L Goodbody Belfast office head Michael Neill (second right) with (from left) Allianz Ireland chief executive Sean McGrath, Arts & Business NI chair Martin Bradley and A&BNI chief executive Mary Nagele. Photo: Aaron McCracken A&L Goodbody Belfast office head Michael Neill (second right) with (from left) Allianz Ireland chief executive Sean McGrath, Arts & Business NI chair Martin Bradley and A&BNI chief executive Mary Nagele. Photo: Aaron McCracken

CORPORATE law firm A&L Goodbody was named ‘Business of the Year’ at the Allianz Arts & Business NI Awards at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre.

The award recognises the company that has excelled in integrating arts and culture through different facets of its business strategy. ALG was commended by judges in particular for its partnerships with the Lyric Theatre and Belfast Exposed, the region’s premier contemporary photography organisation.

Michael Neill, head of ALG’s Belfast office, said: “This fantastic award is testament to the mutual value that can be derived through partnerships between the business and arts sectors in Northern Ireland.

“We are committed to supporting the wider interests of our employees, our clients and the community in which we work. As an international law firm, we regularly advise clients across the world on inward investment into Northern Ireland.

“Our compelling proposition as an outstanding region in which to live, work, learn, visit and invest is only further enhanced by our tremendous pool of talent in the arts and creative industries, among other sectors.

“There is no greater example of this talent than the outstanding work delivered every year by the Lyric Theatre and Belfast Exposed, both of which make a hugely valuable and important contribution to the cultural life of Northern Ireland.”

Mary Nagele, chief executive of Arts & Business NI, said: “A&L Goodbody sets an excellent example of how, when truly woven throughout its corporate strategy, support for arts and culture can have a tremendously positive impact on any business in Northern Ireland.

“Alongside helping to shape a firm’s corporate social responsibility agenda, this can be seen in the wider culture and ethos of the business, and on the health and wellbeing of its employees.”

Among the other winners, the Arts Organisation of the Year Award (which comes with a cheque from Allianz for £3,000) was won by Book Trust NI.