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Shane Hassett and Mariana Kobal, co-founders of WAZP receiving the Emerging Business Leaders 2024 Award from Ronan Murray of EY. Also pictured is Brid McElligott, Chair of Kerry Innovation Centre and Minister Norma Foley. Photo by Domnick Walsh
OVER 200 guests attended the Business Leaders’ Gala Dinner on Thursday evening at the Rose Hotel in Tralee to recognise the achievements of Kerry business leaders.
Presented by Kerry Innovation Centre in partnership with Kerry County Council and EY Ireland, this annual event celebrates ambitious businesses and entrepreneurs from across the county.
Three awards were presented on the night to Thomas Fitzmaurice, CEO TLI for Business Leader of the Year 2024, to Shane Hassett and Mariana Kobal, Co Founders WAZP as Emerging Business Leaders 2024 and to Denis Brosnan, Founder and Former CEO of Kerry Group who received the Lifetime Contribution Award 2024.
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Following a sumptuous five course meal, guests enjoyed an engaging and informative after dinner speech from Dr Karen Weekes, Performance Psychologist and the first Irish female to row the Atlantic Ocean solo and unsupported in 2022.
Commenting on the selection of the award recipients, Brid McElligott, Chair of Kerry Innovation Centre said; “we are delighted to present these awards in recognition of the entrepreneurial drive, determination and ability demonstrated by each recipient. Their personal stories serve as an inspiration for current and future business leaders and it is our privilege to be able to organise an event which honours these leading Kerry business entrepreneurs.”
Thomas Fitzmaurice, CEO TLI receiving the Business Leader of the Year 2024 award from Ronan Murray of EY. Also pictured is Brid McElligott, Chair of Kerry Innovation Centre. Photo by Domnick Walsh
Ronan Murray, EY Strategy and Transactions Partner commented, “Tonight we are delighted to be one of the sponsors of the Business Leaders’ Gala Dinner in Kerry. We congratulate each of these leaders who continue to drive their businesses forward through constant innovation and global ambition.”
CE of Kerry County Council Moira Murrell congratulated the winners, saying; “It is our honour to thank each of the winners in person for their role in creating significant employment and opportunities for the people of Kerry. Each has demonstrated incredible entrepreneurial drive, determination, and ability, as they led the growth of a global business from Kerry.”
At the event each award recipient was presented with a painting by Kerry based artist Jane Hilliard with each commission depicting a story unique to the business leaders. Scroll down for photos…
Denis Brosnan, Founder and Former CEO of Kerry Group receiving the Lifetime Contribution Award 2024 from Brid McElligott, Chair of Kerry Innovation Centre. Photo by Domnick Walsh
Úna McShane, Jimmy Kelleher Damien Clifford and Laura Dillon, from CSG at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Mark Hussey of Cara Credit Union with Joan and Denis Brosnan at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Lorna O’Sullivan, Catherine O’Sullivan, Siobhan Kissane and Hugh Gleeson of Bank of Ireland at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Connect Kerry’s Mags Kissane and son Thomas Maguire at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Cillian Meighan, Rachel Griffin, Ellie Harnett and Ger Tobin of Wazp at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Mayor of Tralee Terry O’Brien with his wife Teresa at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Seamus O’Connell, Fiona Frawley, Sheila Counihan, Kazuhiro Lumada and Owen Moore of Astellas at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Award winner Thomas Fitzmaurice with family Faye, Daniel, Claire, and Isla and at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Doris Coffey and Angela Ring at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Ronan Murray, EY, Aisling Kelleher, EY, Maria Barry, EY Chris Murray of CSG and Sarah McGrath, EY, at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Liz Barry, John Barry, Deirdre Barry and Linda Maunsell at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Ogie Sheehy, Shane Hassett, Kathleen Walsh Sheehy and Mariana Kobal at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Deirdre De Bhalís, Dingle Hub, Helen O’Connor Barry of Kerry County Council, Becky Hargrove of Kerry Convention Bureau and Mary Rose Stafford of MTU at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Founding Ambassador in The Kerry Ambassor Programme Edel Lawlor with Shauna Fitzgerald of Fáilte Ireland at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Jimmy Deenihan, Keelin Kissane and Sean Ryan at the Kerry Innovation Centre’s Business Leaders Gala Dinner at The Rose Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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