Mark Crimmins

Columnist

Mark Crimmins,

Regional Managing Director, Ulster Bank

Getting Recognition

At the beginning of February, we launched the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards 2022 in partnership with Ulster Bank, and with the April 11 closing date fast approaching, businesses have just a few weeks to showcase their brilliance and submit their entries.

This year marks the 21st anniversary of the awards which have celebrated the highest achievers in the world of business for over two decades, and 2022, which follows a period of extreme challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic, is no different.

This also marks the sixth year of a partnership with Ulster Bank as the title sponsor of the awards which have a range of categories for small, medium and large companies. We are especially pleased to support the return of the Special Recognition Award for Climate Action, recognising a local company which has made an outstanding commitment to implementing a sustainable business practice.

That is just one of 14 categories honoured at these awards. Others include innovation, management and leadership, marketing, and corporate social responsibility – all important areas in which we have become accustomed to seeing our local businesses flourish. Also new for this year will be an award for the Food or Drink Company of the Year which is open to all primary producers and processors throughout the supply chain. those companies that have overcome challenges, demonstrated resilience and have been innovating to succeed – regardless of size or sector. They provide a platform for local firms to tell their story and to have their achievements showcased. After two difficult years where many businesses have found

little time for celebration, it is more important than ever to pause, take stock and reflect on how much has been accomplished.

As businesses and the economy seek to recover, these success stories can have a positive impact on those around them and we need business leaders to encourage others to thrive in the future. I would therefore encourage all businesses to enter the awards and allow us the opportunity to commend and celebrate your success.

Thanks must be paid to the team at the Belfast Telegraph for their efforts in hosting the awards and for going above and beyond to ensure guests can have a safe and enjoyable evening and to all of the category sponsors for coming on board.

We are grateful to have Professor Mark Durkin of Ulster University Business School chair the judging panel once again and are pleased to report that he will be joined by a host of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable and accomplished business leaders, including a familiar face to readers of these pages, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Chamber, Ann McGregor MBE.

If your business has excelled this year or if you know someone whose hard work deserves to be recognised then visit www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ businessawards where you will find a full list of all the categories and information on how to submit your application along with the closing date.

Lastly, I want to wish all of the entrants good luck and look forward to celebrating with you later in the year.

“What makes these awards so special in my view is that they recognise those companies that have overcome challenges, demonstrated resilience and have been innovating to succeed – regardless of size or sector.”