Deloitte, the leading business advisory firm, in association with Bank of Scotland (Ireland), are calling on all Irish owned, managed and controlled companies to submit their applications for the inaugural Best Managed Company Awards programme by the deadline of Wednesday, June 18. This 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. Applications should be made on the dedicated website - www.deloittebestmanaged.ie.

Kevin Sheehan, Partner, Deloitte said: “There are two weeks to go to the closing date and we would encourage all eligible companies to apply. It will be a great achievement to be recognised as a ‘Best Managed Company’ in this, the first year of the awards. We are delighted with the response to the awards so far and want to ensure that all eligible companies apply in order to recognise the very best of the best.”

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.

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 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.

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.