Sanofi were named Overall Waterford Business of the Year at the Waterford Business Awards on Friday night last (March 8th) at the Tower Hotel by Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr Declan Doocey.
The multi-national company, who are leading the way in advancing global biopharmaceutical technology, also picked up the Technology & Innovation award on the night, which was attended by over 340 guests.
LISTEN BACK TO A ROUND-UP OF THE NIGHT'S EVENTS HERE:
https://soundcloud.com/wlrfmwaterford/hot-desk-waterford-business-awards-march-10th
The Waterford Business Awards, which are organised by Waterford Chamber, Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber and WLR and was hosted by Teresanne O’Reilly, celebrated the successes and contributions of thirty-six companies who were shortlisted for the 13 award categories.
Commenting at the gala dinner, Mayor Doocey said: “Showcasing the incredible work ethic, innovation and determination that exists in business today is something that should always be welcomed and night’s like this do just that. We have a vibrant business community, we are the leaders in so many fields. Just looking around the room here tonight, the nominated companies are all winners and more importantly we are proud to have them as Ambassadors for Waterford. If we continue to work together and use that same determination these people show in business to create a better collaborative business community for Waterford and the wider region, there is nothing we cannot achieve.”
Topping the categories were Solas Cancer Support Centre for Community & Social Enterprise; Havenwood Retirement Village for Customer Service; Chris Russell of Thimba Media won Entrepreneur of the Year; Eunice Power took home the Food & Beverage Awrd; GSK Dungarvan were awarded Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility; New Business of the Year went to Coach House Coffee; Ardkeen Quality Food Store took home the Retail Excellence Award; Murphy Larkin Timber Products won Social Media & Digital Excellence; SME of the Year went to RelateCare; Technology & Innovation to Sanofi; Tourism Activity/Attraction of the Year went to Spraoi and the Training & People Development Award went to Dawn Meats.
The Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Chef Paul Flynn of The Tannery Restaurant, by Ria White, EirGen Pharma.
Introducing Paul Flynn, Waterford Chamber CEO Gerald Hurley said: “Our Ambassador of the Year needs no introduction as one of Waterford’s most famous sons, blazing a trail in the culinary world for over three decades. He is passionate about local produce, his native Dungarvan and of course Waterford, using every available opportunity to promote and highlight the wonderful offering that is our home county.”
The shortlisted businesses were nominated by the public and also through self-nomination for all eleven categories. An independent judging panel, under the Chairmanship of Frank O’Regan, and including David Breen, David M Breen & Co; Lena Murphy, WLR; Tina Darrer, Dooley’s Hotel; TV Honan, Spraoi; John Noonan, Flahavan’s; Louise Grubb, Q1 Scientific, Richie Walsh, Waterford Local Enterprise Office, Irial Mac Murchu, Nemeton TV and Noel Kelly, NYPRO, carried out the difficult task of selecting the finalist shortlist and category winners after a rigorous judging analysis of each application.
Speaking on the night, Kathryn Kiely, Waterford Chamber President said, “On behalf of the Waterford Chamber, I would like to sincerely congratulate Sanofi on being announced as the Overall Winner of the Waterford Business Awards and to all category winners and finalists – thank you. Without your hard work and determination our business community would not be as vibrant as it is today and we wish you all continued success.”
Speaking on behalf of WLR, Des Whelan, Managing Director, said that WLR as a local company with offices and studios in Waterford City and Dungarvan, was encouraged to see such a cross section of businesses shortlisted.
“Amalgamating with Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber has been fantastic for the awards and it is great to see so many sectors from the city and county being represented here this evening. It has never been more prevalent that Waterford is a great place to work and do business.”
Waterford City and County Council sponsored the Overall Waterford Business Award, while category sponsors include Cpl Resources, EirGen Pharma, TOTEM, AIB Bank, Faithlegg, KBC Bank, City Enterprise Centre, PwC, Waterford Institute of Technology, Morgan McKinley, Waterford Local Enterprise Office, Waterford Chamber Skillnet and Dawn Meats. For further details see www.waterfordchamber.com
Main Photo: Kathryn Kiely, President Waterford Chamber; Colin Wallace Head of HR, Sanofi; Mayor Declan Doocey and MC Teresanne O'Reilly, WLR
Inset Pic: Pictured with Chef Paul Flynn of The Tannery Restaurant, are Lynda Lawton, Operations Officer, Waterford Chamber, Kathryn Kiely Waterford Chamber President and Teresanne O’Reilly. Picture: Patrick Browne
