Recipients 2009
Jim O'Hara, Intel - Business Person of the Year 2009
Jim O’Hara is the General Manager of Intel Ireland and is a Vice President of the Technology Manufacturing Group, Intel Corporation. He took over as head of Intel’s Irish operations in 2002. He is responsible for Intel’s manufacturing operations in Ireland and for the site’s strategic direction, management, leadership and development, as well as government and community relations.
In his Intel and external roles O’Hara has been a strong advocate for competitiveness and increased productivity across all sectors. “We continue to be a critical asset for the Intel Corporation and are committed to ensuring our long term success through benchmarking ourselves aggressively against our global competition to ensure we deliver a unique advantage from Ireland. This is true not only for Intel, but for every organisation in the private and public sector of our economy.”
Stan McCarthy, CEO - Kerry Group - Company of the year 2009
A global credit crunch, domestic recession and a dioxin crisis in pork products is a lot for any food company to deal with in one year, yet Kerry Group still managed to bring home the bacon and report rising revenues in 2008. Results for 2008 reported a fractional increase in revenues, with full year earnings per share of 154c achieved on sales of €4.8bn.
Headquartered in Tralee, the group employs approximately 20,000 people throughout its manufacturing, sales and technical centres across Europe, North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand and Asian markets. It supplies over 15,000 food, food ingredients and flavour products to customers in more than 140 countries worldwide.
Neville Isdell, Outstanding Achievement in Business Award 2009
Neville Isdell is the former Chairman of the board of directors and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. After 43 years with Coca-Cola system, he retired in April 2009.
Building on an incredibly successful history, Isdell took the world’s largest beverage company to new heights during his tenure. Under his leadership, the company reached high levels of employee engagement, allowing the employees themselves to chart the company’s path to continued growth and profitability.
IRFU - Outstanding Contribution to Brand Ireland Award 2009
After a lapse of 61 years, the defining moment for Irish rugby occurred at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on March 21st 2009 when the scoreline of Wales 15 – Ireland 17 heralded Ireland as the leading rugby nation in the Northern Hemisphere.
2009 then evolved into a golden era of success for Irish rugby. Munster won the Magners League, Leinster won the European Cup; 14 Irishmen, led by Paul O’Connell as captain, were selected on the Lions team, and finally, Irish rugby’s strength and depth was emphasised when the “A” squad became Churchill Cup winners.
It was a heaven-sent marketing opportunity which the IRFU have been quick to seize. Union Chief Executive, Philip Browne has pointed out that clubs have experienced a surge in the number of mini and youth players wanting to be part of the local rugby club scene.