Business

Kainos boss honoured at IoD Director of the Year Awards

Brendan Mooney of the Kainos Group receives his award from IoD NI chairman Gordon Milligan. Picture: Kelvin Boyes/PressEye
Brendan Mooney of the Kainos Group receives his award from IoD NI chairman Gordon Milligan. Picture: Kelvin Boyes/PressEye Brendan Mooney of the Kainos Group receives his award from IoD NI chairman Gordon Milligan. Picture: Kelvin Boyes/PressEye

THE head of one of the north’s largest companies has been honoured at the Institute of Directors Northern Ireland Director of the Year Awards, held virtually for the first time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kainos Group chief executive Brendan Mooney, was presented with the chairman’s Award for Excellence in director and board practice.

The firm, which floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2015, is headquartered in Belfast and provides digital technology services for organisations within the public, healthcare and financial sectors across the globe.

Brendan, who joined the firm as a trainee more than 30 years ago was presented with the award along with 11 other business leaders who were recognised across various categories.

The other recipients included Michael McCormack of Musgrave Group, who was named the Large Business Director of the Year, award while David Henry of Henry Brothers received the Family Business Director of the Year Award.

Gordon Milligan, IoD NI chairman, said: “Now employing over 1,700 people, Kainos is one of Northern Ireland’s most successful and progressive companies.

“I'm privileged to present the Chairman’s Award for Excellence to Brendan to acknowledge the tremendous contribution he has made to not just Kainos, but the entire local economy over more than three decades.

“A huge congratulations to all this year’s winners, once again proving that the economy here in Northern Ireland benefits from a wealth of leadership talent across the private and public sector, each of them performing to the very highest standards.”

Brendan Mooney added: “It is an honour to be this year’s recipient of the Chairman’s Award, which reflects the hard work, dedication and innovation of the entire company, as we continue to deliver some of the largest and most high-profile IT systems for clients in the UK, Europe and in the US.

“This has been demonstrated so many times in the last six months – the response of our people and of our customers has been fantastic.

Brian Gillan, head of retail at headline sponsors AIB UK, said: “Leadership has been seriously tested in the last few months across all walks of life and will be crucial as we tackle the twin challenges of the Covid pandemic fallout and the impending Brexit implications.

“As we emerge from lockdown and begin to focus on rebuilding the economy, what better time to recognise and showcase the leaders making a real difference here in Northern Ireland.

“The winners all demonstrate a clear commitment to strong and innovative leadership that is undoubtedly contributing to the success of their respective organisations and Northern Ireland as a whole.

“Celebrating their achievements at this time will hopefully encourage others to follow suit and invest in their own leadership journeys.”

Full list of winners were:

  • Chairman’s Award for Excellence (sponsored by AIB) – Brendan Mooney, Kainos Group
  • Non-executive director (sponsored by Deloitte) – Diana Fitzsimons
  • Innovation director (sponsored by KPMG) – Daniel Crawford, Axial3D
  • Young director (sponsored by Carson McDowell) - Glenn Speer, Fane Valley
  • Public Sector director (sponsored by Capita Managed IT Solutions) - Professor Nola Hewitt Dundas, head of QUB Management School
  • Third sector director (sponsored by Capita Managed IT Solutions) – Lynn Carvill, Women’sTEC
  • Family Business director (sponsored by BDO Northern Ireland) – David Henry, Henry Bros
  • International director (sponsored by Invest NI) – Brian Reid, Deli-Lites
  • SME director (sponsored by Ulster University Business School) – Sinead Higgins, Decision Time
  • Inclusivity director (sponsored by ABL Group) – John Healy OBE, Allstate
  • Large business director (sponsored by Amplifi Solutions) – Michael McCormack, Musgrave Group
  • Philanthropist of the Year Community Foundation NI award - Alan Nappin of the ARN Foundation