Deloitte, the leading business advisory firm, has today launched the Deloitte Best Managed Companies awards programme, in association with Bank of Scotland (Ireland). The new business awards programme will recognise twenty indigenous Irish companies across the island of Ireland which are operating at the highest levels of business performance.

This is the only awards programme that considers companies from every perspective – an independent judging panel will look at a broad range of criteria including strategy, capability, commitment, financials and growth potential across all key functions of the business. This awards programme was developed by Deloitte in Canada in 1993 and has been running successfully ever since.

Commenting on the launch of the awards, Pat Cullen, Managing Partner, Deloitte said: “Indigenous Irish companies play a pivotal role in the Irish economy – both North and South. Deloitte is delighted to be launching these awards which will recognise the management excellence that is present in these companies.”

Cullen continued, “These companies face a number of challenges operating in the Irish marketplace including increased competition from multi-nationals, inflation, exchange rate challenges and rising wage and environmental costs. We feel that it is important to recognise and celebrate those companies that are successfully meeting these challenges.”

Paul Cunningham, Head of Banking, Bank of Scotland (Ireland) commented: “Bank of Scotland (Ireland) is delighted to be a part of this awards programme. It is important to recognise the hard work, commitment and dedication that is needed by Irish businesses in order to achieve success. These are challenging times and it is increasingly important for every indigenous Irish company to be well managed and perform to its highest potential.”

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 will 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 will be 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 Wednesday 18 June, 2008.

The winners of the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards will be announced at a gala dinner in the Ritz Carlton, Powerscourt in February 2009. 

Entry Criteria

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

• Irish/Northern Irish owned, managed and controlled companies (incorporated in either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland)
• Turnover in excess of €5million (£STG 3.5 million)
• Established for at least 5 years
• Demonstrate growth over the past 3 years (Turnover or Profit)

About Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards

Launched in April 2008, the Deloitte Best Managed Companies programme, in association with Bank of Scotland (Ireland), has been developed to promote and recognise excellence in Irish/Northern Irish owned and managed companies. It is the only awards scheme on the island of Ireland that considers a business’ performance from every perspective. Entrants to the programme will compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices. The inaugural winners will be announced at the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Gala dinner in the Ritz Carlton, Powerscourt in February 2009. 

Programme sponsors include Back of Scotland (Ireland), the Irish Management Institute and the Sunday Business Post.

For further information, visit www.deloittebestmanaged.ie.

International History of Best Managed Companies Programme
The Best Managed Companies Programme originated in Canada in 1993, where it has been run successfully ever since and is the country’s leading business awards programme. Ireland is the third country to run the programme following the launch of the awards in The Netherlands in 2007.