Business

Deloitte lead partner Jackie takes top accolade as businesswomen are honoured

From left, Gary McDonald, business editor of The Irish News, Jackie Henry of Deloitte, Roseanne Kelly MBE, CEO of Women in Business NI, and Ian Bailey, country lead for Northern Ireland, Virgin Media O2 Business, at Thursday night’s awards ceremony at Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. Picture by Brian Morrison
From left, Gary McDonald, business editor of The Irish News, Jackie Henry of Deloitte, Roseanne Kelly MBE, CEO of Women in Business NI, and Ian Bailey, country lead for Northern Ireland, Virgin Media O2 Business, at Thursday night’s awards ceremony at Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. Picture by Brian Morrison
By Gary McDonald Business Editor

DELOITTE Northern Ireland's lead partner Jackie Henry has taken the acclaimed Outstanding Business Woman of the Year accolade at the 11th running of the Women in Business Awards at Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The 2023 event, sponsored by Virgin Media O2 Business, brought together female entrepreneurs and businesswomen from all sectors to recognise, reward and celebrate the best in home-grown talent, with 17 inspiring women and business organisations being honoured on an evening of glitz.

Jackie started her career with business advisory firm Deloitte in Belfast 33 years ago, and for the past nine years has been its lead partner in the north. She has also served as people and purpose lead for Deloitte’s UK consulting arm.

Business woman of the year for 2023 is Jackie Henry of @DeloitteUK#WIBAwards23pic.twitter.com/njEwJikLtM

In June 2021 Jackie was appointed to a prestigious new role in Deloitte's UK leadership team as managing partner for people and purpose, focusing on inclusion and wellbeing.

Her commitment to diversity, inclusion and social mobility has been a focus throughout her career, and in particular her efforts in building skills and providing access to education for people across Northern Ireland.

This includes setting up Deloitte’s Belfast Delivery Centre, which includes the creation of Deloitte’s BrightStart Degree and Graduate academy programmes.

Women in Business chief executive Roseann Kelly said: “Over the past 11 years, women like Jackie and all our other exceptional winners have made a hugely significant contribution to the business community here.

Tonight's Women in Business Awards kicks off with a well-deserved special award recognising the organisation's chief executive, Roseann Kelly. #WIBAwards23pic.twitter.com/jTXxEaDgIv

“It is ceremonies such as this that are crucial to promote positive recognition and to highlight the amazing talents of businesswomen in all sectors in Northern Ireland.”

Other main Women in Business award winners were:

  • Advancing Diversity in the Workplace - Sarah Balmforth, Hughes Insurance (individual) and Fibrus (organisation).
  • Best Customer Service - Paula Mooney, Leckey (corporate) and Roisin O'Hare, Brand Elevation (small business).
  • Best in Professional Services - Joanne Alexander, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (corporate) and Melanie Dawson, Origin 7 Ltd (small business).
  • Best Marketing Campaign - Claire Hale, Dale Farm Ltd (corporate) and Roisin O'Hare, Brand Elevation (small business).
  • Best New Start Up – Rabab Flack, Causeway Clear Ears
  • Best Small Business - Tracey McNally, Ecohog Ltd
  • Outstanding Innovation - Gabriela Martin, Concentrix Europe Ltd (corporate) and Ineke Rentmeesters, Ubloquity (small business).
  • Best Green Business - Grainne O'Loane, Fish City
  • Excellence in IT – Shannon Stronge, BT
  • Outstanding Mentor - Lenore Rice, Wilson Nesbitt.
  • Outstanding Management and Leadership - Tanya Martin, IQ & Co Ltd
  • Young Business Woman of the Year - Niamh McCarthy, Niamh Designs
  • Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year - Jackie Henry, Deloitte

A special supplement featuring reports from the night and pictures of all the award winners will appear in Business Insight on Tuesday March 14.