Comment from the chair
I am delighted to offer my congratulations to all of the 2017 finalists in the SFA National Small Business Awards programme. Now in their thirteenth year, these awards celebrate achievement, innovation and excellence amongst small firms and it is these very qualities that are evident in the companies featured in this special awards supplement.
All of the companies presented here are from a wide range of business sectors, hailing from 13 counties throughout Ireland and employing in excess of 600 people.
From reading their success stories you will learn what sets them apart from the mainstream through constant innovations and a commitment to growth. All of the people involved are truly representative of what entrepreneurship is and I believe are an inspiration to us all.
Given the right environment these companies will contribute to sustaining Ireland’s competitiveness, deliver growth in job numbers throughout the country and pave the way for many Irish companies in new markets.
By recognising the best of small business in Ireland the SFA awards programme continues to highlight the importance of small business to our economy. In our current uncertain times, it is vitally important that these established indigenous companies are supported and that any barriers to achieving growth are removed.
To realise a vision of Ireland as the most vibrant small business community in the world – supporting entrepreneurship, valuing small business and rewarding risk takers - our Government needs to ‘think small first’ and support these companies in tackling key challenges in terms of culture and recognition, education and skills and the business environment.
The businesses profiled here have availed of a fantastic programme to date as part of the SFA National Small Business Awards. As well as receiving extensive media and PR benefits from becoming a finalist, all of these companies have received a subsidised training package and a strategic management masterclass weekend.
All of the businesses have showcased their products and services at the National Small Business Showcase, which was officially opened by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, and was visited by over 1,200 people (see pages 30 and 31).
In conclusion, I would like to thank our sponsors and judges for their continued support in making the entire awards programme possible. Our sponsors include AIB, Enterprise Ireland, Three Ireland, Bord Bia, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, DHL, Energia, IE Domain Registry and Skillnets.
Led by chair of the judging panel AJ Noonan of Rhonellen Developments, our judges also include: Brian O’Kane of Oaktree Press, Professor Frank Roche, chairman of Dublin Business Innovation Centre, Mairead Cirillo of Environmental Business Advice, Paula Fitzsimons of Fitzsimons Consulting, Donal O’Donovan from the Irish Independent, Dr Barry McCleary of Megazyme International, Ken Germaine of Germaine & Associates and Geraldine Lavin of 3rdi IT and Business Services.
I wish you all the best of luck at the Gala Final tonight and in the future.
Best regards, Sue O’Neill SFA chairperson