Business

Nominations open for EY entrepreneur of the year programme

Members of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Northern Ireland community along with 2019 Entrepreneur Of The Year Richard Kennedy of Devenish; Jeremy Fitch from Invest NI; Rob Heron from EY Belfast and Jonathan Dobbin representing premium corporate sponsor Julius Baer International
Members of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Northern Ireland community along with 2019 Entrepreneur Of The Year Richard Kennedy of Devenish; Jeremy Fitch from Invest NI; Rob Heron from EY Belfast and Jonathan Dobbin representing premium corporate sponsor J Members of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Northern Ireland community along with 2019 Entrepreneur Of The Year Richard Kennedy of Devenish; Jeremy Fitch from Invest NI; Rob Heron from EY Belfast and Jonathan Dobbin representing premium corporate sponsor Julius Baer International

THE EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 programme, now in its 23rd year in Ireland, has officially opened for nominations.

Entrepreneurs from businesses of all sizes and sectors in the north are invited to put themselves forward to follow in the footsteps of 2019 winner Richard Kennedy of Devenish, and submit their nominations between now and February 14.

EY's Rob Heron said: “This year we are keen to see an even broader range and diversity of nominees, across industries, age, gender, location and background.

“We’ve seen a steady but gradual increase in the number of women nominated in recent years, but we want 2020 to be the year where we see a more significant jump.

“It’s important to us that the EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme accurately reflects the fabric of the entrepreneurial landscape across the entire island of Ireland.

“That’s why we’re urging all entrepreneurs based in Northern Ireland to consider putting themselves forward, and for people to encourage entrepreneurs in their families and networks to get involved.”

The programme is open to entrepreneurs from all sectors and growth stages in the Republic and Northern Ireland.

The awards programme is divided into three categories - Emerging, Industry and International - with eight finalists chosen per category.

Twenty four finalists will be selected by an independent judging panel, comprising former winners and chaired by Anne Heraty of CPL Resources.

She said: “The 2020 programme is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate a new group of exceptional entrepreneurs from cities, towns and villages all around the island, who have a huge impact on their communities, on business and on our economies.

“Over the last 23 years we’ve seen nominations from every category of business imaginable, and we want this to continue in 2020.

“The diversity of people and types of business is what makes the programme so interesting, and I’m looking forward to meeting a new group of inspiring leaders this year.”