Retail giants Lidl Northern Ireland, Federation of Small Businesses Chair Alan Lowry and two of the legends of the transport and tourism sectors here were among the big individual and company winners honoured at the 20th AIB Business Eye Awards, held at ICC Belfast last night (Thursday, 22nd October).
More than 500 business guests attended Northern Ireland’s leading business awards, as they marked their 20th anniversary.
Visit Belfast Chief Executive Gerry Lennon and Stena Line’s Paul Grant were the dual winners of the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Awards, while Alan Lowry was named as this year’s Business Personality of the Year. The Company of the Year title went to Lidl.
This year’s Family Business of the Year title went to sixth generation family business Openfolde, the holding company of Germinal, one of the UK market leaders in the seeds sector. Logistics and cold storage specialists Derry Group Ireland was chosen by the judges as the Sustainable Company of the Year.
Construction giants Heron Brothers was named as this year’s Employer of the Year, while another major retail group, Musgrave Northern Ireland, claimed two awards on the night. Belfast City Airport took the CSR Award, while the Diversity & Inclusion Award went to Henderson Group, one of Northern Ireland’s largest employers.
Manufacturer of the Year was Strabane-based McColgan’s Quality Foods while Lough Erne Resort was the winner of the Tourism & Hospitality Award.
“If these awards are a barometer of the local economy and business performance, then we’re in a better place than some seem to think,” said Business Eye’s Richard Buckley. “We had another record entry, some of the best quality entries we’ve ever had, and the audience at the event was larger than it has been since well before the pandemic.
“Business here always faces headwinds, and the forthcoming Budget could add to the burden that local businesses face. But the AIB Business Eye Awards are a night for celebration of business success. And there is plenty of that around Northern Ireland. The winners we’ve honoured at the awards reflect the very best of business achievement here in Northern Ireland.”
Conor McGrath, Managing Director of AIB Group (UK) Plc, congratulated all the winners on their awards success.
“AIB is very proud of our long-standing partnership with the Business Eye awards programme, celebrating the very best of the Northern Ireland business community. Once again, the competition was fierce, and we can see that local companies are continually excelling in innovation, creativity and determination to make their mark with customers and the communities they serve.
“But what is most noticeable about this year’s shortlisted companies is the number of organisations who are based here but are operating on a global scale.
“It’s a privilege to celebrate the success of our local business leaders and we extend our warmest congratulations to all the finalists and winners, especially to Lidl Northern Ireland, Alan Lowry, Paul Grant and Gerry Lennon.”