NORTHERN IRELAND RISING STARS 2017
Northern Ireland ’ s RISING STARS 2017
An astonishing array of talent and expertise representative of some of Northern Ireland ’ s most impressive smaller businesses celebrated the Northern Ireland Rising Stars 2017 Awards at the Malone Lodge Hotel in Belfast in April .
After a rigorous judging process , the winners were announced and celebrated .
With businesses from across Northern Ireland competing for the Winner and Highly Commended Awards , the tension was high throughout the event .
Finally , the wait was over , and the finalists paid close attention as the winners were announced in the Charity and NotforProfit ; Micro Business ; Professional Services ; Small Business , and StartUp Business of the Year Categories .
Against a backdrop of stars and glittering lights the winners who received their Awards were :
Charity & Not For Profit Business of the Year 2017 Winner : Kinship Care Highly Commended : Townsend Enterprise Park
Micro Bsiness of the Year 2017 Winner : ND Events Highly Commended : Heavenly Tasty Organic
Professional Services Business of the
Year 2017 Winner : Clearbox Communications Highly Commended : Selective Travel
Small Business of the Year 2017 Winner : Flint Studios Highly Commended : Loudmouth Media
StartUp Business of the Year 2017 Winner : Sonya Cassidy PR Highly Commended : We Are Digital
Gavin Walker , publisher of Business First who organised the Awards , said : “ These Awards recognise the smaller indigenous Northern Ireland companies who are working hard to shine in what are very difficult economic times .
“ With the uncertainty of Brexit and the obvious downturn in the economy , we wanted to find a way to celebrate the local businesses that are making a difference in their community and their sector .
“ The Judges were so impressed in the calibre of nominations that they decided to award both a Winner and a Highly Commended in each category . But as one of them said at the Judges Meeting , ‘ I would really like to present an award to all of the nominees in their own way , each of them is definitely a Rising Star ’.”
Colin Mullan from Awards principle sponsor , Find InsuranceNI
Townsend Enterprise Park is Highly Commended Charity / Not for Profit Business of the Year 2017 . The Award was presented by Jenny Belshaw Business First .
Clearbox Communications is the Professional Business of the Year 2017 . The Award was presented by Lara Cairns of Find InsuranceNI .
Kinship care is the Charity / Not for Profit Business of the Year 2017 The Award was presented by Jenny Belshaw Business First .
62 www . businessfirstonline . co . uk