Pictured from left to right at the 2009 awards - - SWS Energy, one of the winners - - Paul Cunningham, Bank of Scotland (Ireland), Pat Cullen, Deloitte, Tim Cowhig, SWS Energy, President Mary McAleese, Dr McAleese.

Deloitte, the Big 4 accounting firm, in association with Bank of Scotland (Ireland), is seeking applications from indigenous Irish companies for this year’s Best Managed Companies Awards programme. The sponsors say the business awards programme will recognise twenty-five companies across the island of Ireland that demonstrate superior business performance.

An independent judging panel, led by former Kerry Group CEO Denis Brosnan, will measure prospective companies’ performance by looking at a broad range of criteria including strategy, capability, commitment, financials and management performance across all key functions of the business. This is the only awards programme that considers companies from every perspective and evaluates the management practices of companies.

Companies from all industries are encouraged to submit their applications for the awards. Last year’s inaugural winners came from a variety of different sectors including the technology, property, distribution, freight, healthcare, hospitality and waste management industries.

Identifying the type of attributes the judging panel will be looking for in prospective companies, Pat Cullen, Managing Partner, Deloitte said: “In today’s economy, business and management success can no longer simply be defined as increased sales, profit or turnover. We will be taking a holistic view of the companies, their performance in relation to their peers, and the industries that they are operating in, in order to determine management success. Never has it been more important to recognise and celebrate those companies that are demonstrating sound management practices.”

Cullen continued, “This is the second year of the awards here in Ireland. Last year’s winners demonstrated the depth of management talent that is present in Ireland today and we are confident that, this year, we will discover a fresh crop of companies that are excelling in today’s challenging environment. We are very much looking forward to acknowledging their achievements.”

Paul Cunningham, Head of Banking, Bank of Scotland (Ireland) commented: “We all know that the last few months have been tough for business and no doubt companies will continue to face challenges in the year ahead. This year’s awards are all about maximising on what your business can achieve in the current climate. There is still scope for indigenous Irish companies to thrive and succeed and we at Bank of Scotland (Ireland) are delighted to be a part of recognising and awarding those achievements.”

The awards, which are open to companies from all 32 counties on the island of Ireland, offer benefits to all companies entering the Best Managed Companies Awards programme – not just the winners. Valuable insights into the ingredients for long-term success of their business will be available to all applicants - and those who progress through the awards process will receive customised feedback from Deloitte and Bank of Scotland (Ireland), thereby benefiting from experienced business acumen and expertise within both the professional services and banking sectors.

In addition, winners also receive national and peer recognition, the opportunity to network with their peers in the industry at a gala awards ceremony and attend a symposium organised by the IMI. The ’Best Managed’ designation is an important marketing tool – but, perhaps most importantly, the awards provide a reason to celebrate the efforts of the entire company.

For further information and details of how to enter for the awards, visit www.deloittebestmanaged.ie. The closing date for entries is Friday 3 July, 2009.

The winners of the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards will be announced in March 2010.

Entry Criteria

To enter the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards programme, companies must meet the criteria listed below. Applications can be made online.

Irish/Northern Irish owned, managed and controlled companies (incorporated in either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland)
Turnover in excess of €5million (STG£4 million)
Established for at least 5 years
Demonstration of superior performance over past 3 years
Demonstration of profit over two of the last three years