Business

Judging is done... WEA short list now set for big reveal

The judges for the 2023 Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards set about their work in Belfast yesterday. Chairing the panel was NI Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ann McGregor (seated left). Picture: Hugh Russell
The judges for the 2023 Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards set about their work in Belfast yesterday. Chairing the panel was NI Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ann McGregor (seated left). Picture: Hugh Russell The judges for the 2023 Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards set about their work in Belfast yesterday. Chairing the panel was NI Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ann McGregor (seated left). Picture: Hugh Russell
By Gary McDonald Business Editor

THE judging process for the 2023 Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards (WEA) has been completed.

The panel were faced with a herculean task after a record-breaking haul of entries were submitted from companies and organisations across Ireland.

Applicants will learn their fate on Tuesday May 9 when the full short-list is published in the Irish News.

And winners of the most covetous gong in local business will then be revealed at a gala dinner in Titanic Belfast on June 8, presided over by comedy star Neil Delamere.

Chairing the judging panel was Ann McGregor, whose illustrious tenure as chief executive of the NI Chamber of Commerce will end on May 31 when she retires from the role.

Others on the judging panel were Martina Corrigan (people director at Errigal Group), Alistair Stewart (head of public engagement at Queen’s University Belfast), Nial Borthistle (head of member engagement at Glandore), Colleen Murray (marketing executive at Options Technology), Orlagh O’Neill (partner and head of employment at Carson McDowell), Tiarnán O'Neill (group finance director at Galgorm Collection), Jamie Cooke (Fscom managing director) and Gary McDonald (Irish News business editor).

Irish News group marketing & communications manager Annette McManus said: "Our awards are now widely acknowledged as being a showcase for the talented people we have in Northern Ireland.

"We were overwhelmed again not just by the sheer numbers, but by the exceptional quality of the entries this year.

"The standard was impeccable, and every single winner will have thoroughly earned the right to step up to that famous Titanic Belfast staircase at the start of June to collect their spoils."

She added: "It was a particularly heavy workload for all our judges this year, and we thank them for their efforts."

This year's WEA partner sponsors are Options Technology, Carson McDowell, Errigal Group and Queen’s University, while category sponsors include NI Chamber, NI Job Finder, Glandore, FScom, Galgorm and Titanic Belfast.

:: For more information visit https://wea.irishnews.com/