THE head of the Spirit Aerosystems operation in the north, Sir Michael Ryan, walked away with the top award at the IoD’s Director of the Year Awards in Belfast on Thursday.
The aerospace veteran received the Chairman’s Award for excellence in Director and Board Practice at the annual ceremony which took place at the Merchant Hotel.
It was one of a dozen awards handed out during the ceremony.
O’Neills boss Kieran Kennedy, who will step down at the end of this month after 33 years with the Strabane-based sportswear manufacturer, received the agility and resilience award.
Other recipients included David Henderson of Tobermore, who received the award for Innovation, while Ellvena Graham was presented with the Non-Executive Director of the Year Award. This year’s ceremony also saw Kevin McNamee of Denroy Group receive the Family Business Director of the Year Award.
IoD NI chairman, Gordon Milligan, said: “Having worked within the aerospace industry for over four decades, Sir Michael has consistently demonstrated his commitment to enhancing Northern Ireland’s reputation within this sector.”
He added: “I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate all of our 2021 winners, who have yet again demonstrated the resilience and strength of Northern Ireland’s business community across a breadth of industries and sectors, despite what has been a most challenging time for business.”
Speaking afterwards, Sir Michael Ryan said: “The award reflects the commitment and resilience of all my Spirit, Belfast colleagues during an enormously challenging period for aviation. I am proud to lead a team that continues to adapt and innovate within an extremely competitive environment.
“Their local expertise is not only playing a significant role in the global success of our business, it is also helping to support the future growth and prosperity of Northern Ireland.”
This year’s full winners were:
Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Director and Board Practice, sponsored by AIB – Sir Michael Ryan CBE, Spirit AeroSystems
Director of the Year - Agility and Resilience, sponsored by Schroders Personal Wealth – Kieran Kennedy MBE, O’Neills
Director of the Year – Non-Executive, sponsored by Deloitte – Ellvena Graham
Director of the Year – Innovation, sponsored by KPMG – David Henderson, Tobermore
Director of the Year – Young, sponsored by Carson McDowell – Ben Stocks, Leckey
Director of the Year - Public Sector, sponsored by Capita Technology Solutions - Roger Wilson, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Director of the Year - Third Sector, sponsored by Capita Technology Solutions – Heather Weir, NI Hospice and Kerry Anthony MBE, Inspire Wellbeing
Director of the Year - Family Business, sponsored by BDO Northern Ireland – Kevin McNamee, Denroy Group
Director of the Year – International, sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland – Ursula Lavery, Moy Park
Director of the Year - Small to Medium Business, sponsored by Ulster University Business School – Louise Skeath, SDG
Director of the Year - Large Business, sponsored by ABL Group – Ian McConnell, PwC
Philanthropist of the Year, sponsored by Community Foundation Northern Ireland – Dr Terry Cross OBE, Hinch Distillery.
