Sponsored by Galway City & County Enterprise Board and Galway Independent, the award winners included Faith Fahy, Faith Fahy Financial Services, who was named Network Galway Outstanding Business Woman of the Year, Sherice Verdon, DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald, who was named Network Galway Business Woman of the Year (Employee), Anna Holland, Flexible Company Secretarial, named Network Galway Business Woman of the Year (New Business), and Cliona Standún, Standún, who was named Network Galway Business Woman of the Year (Self Employed). The President’s Award went to Josephine Walsh, NUI Galway.
Friday’s event was attended by renowned milliner Philip Treacy along with RTE Dragons’ Den stars Ramona Nicholas and Barry O’Sullivan.
Ms Nicholas was the pre-dinner speaker and gave an inspirational speech about entrepreneurship and how, as a working mother herself, Ramona feels strongly about encouraging female entrepreneurship and the many ‘balancing act’ issues facing modern women today.
Her speech was followed by a four-course dinner, presentation of the awards by Mr O’Sullivan and Philip Treacy, Galway Chamber President Jim Fennell and Mayor of Galway City Cllr Terry O’Flaherty with TG4’s Gemma Ni Chionnaith acting as MC.
Speaking at the awards, Network Galway President Ciara O’Callaghan, said the awards are about celebrating and recognising the amazing contribution that women have made and continue to make to business life in Galway.
“In these challenging times it is now more important than ever to support, encourage and celebrate our fellow women in business. Unlike other award ceremonies this one is ‘for women by women’ and considering the high calibre of businesswoman in Galway.”
The judging panel for this year’s awards was comprised Breda Fox, CEO Galway County and City Enterprise Board, Hilary Martyn, Editor of the Galway Independent and Margaret Cox, CEO ICE Recruitment & Pitman Training.
The winners from the employee, new business and self employed categories will now go forward for the Network Ireland National Business Woman of the Year Awards in 2013 in Cork this October.
