Finalists announced for inaugural Business and Finance ESG Awards

The finalists for the 2022 Business & Finance ESG Awards have been announced, with companies from all across the country vying for coveted titles. The winners will be revealed at a black-tie gala luncheon at 12noon on Thursday, June 30th, at The Round Room in the Mansion House, Dublin. Attracting more than 100 entries from 80+ companies nationwide, the ESG Awards aim to recognise and celebrate individuals and groups who are actively striving to address environmental, social and governance issues.

Finalists announced for inaugural Business and Finance ESG Awards

In the light of growing climate change concerns and the increasing importance of sustainability, more and more businesses are recognising the need to adopt ESG into their company’s DNA. As such, the ESG Awards are intended to commend and encourage this trend by recognising the organisations and individuals who are excelling in their efforts and setting the standards for ESG excellence.

Nominations were invited across 15 categories, with Biodiversity Initiative; Diversity, Equality & Inclusion; Social Responsibility Project; and Circular Economy, proving the most popular, attracting more than double the average submissions. This reflects the increasing interest in practical applications of ESG through biodiversity and circular economy initiatives, as well as social impact and HR-driven projects for company employees.

The Finalists for the Inaugural ESG Awards are as follows:

• ESG Company Award (Enterprise): AIB Group plc, Dole plc, SSE Airtricity, Wisetek, Ryanair
• ESG Company Award (SME): Mobility Mojo, Foxford, Irish Residential Properties REIT Plc, Repak, SIRO, Speed Fibre Group
• ESG Company Award (Startup): Coopman Search & Selection, Ethical, Sustainable PR, Sustainability Works
• Sustainable Supply Chain Award: Bus Éireann, Dairygold Co-operative Society Ltd, Wisetek
• Biodiversity Initiative Award: Carbery, Hanley Energy, Host in Ireland, Intel, Nature Partners (The Nature Trust), Keelings
• Net Zero Carbon Award: Aviva, ABP Food, Arthur Cox, Fujitsu, Schneider Electric
• Energy Efficiency Initiative Award: Dairygold Co-operative Society Ltd, Dole plc, E. Flahavan & Sons Ltd, Schneider Electric Ireland Limited
• Circular Economy Award: BiaSol, VivaGreen Group, Portwest, Refurbed, Spotlight Oral Care, Wisetek
• ESG Finance Award: AIB Group plc, Initiative Ireland, Sustainability Works, Vivid Edge
• ESG Investment Award: AIB Group plc, Aviva, Ethico, Mercer, VentureWave Capital Limited
• Diversity & Inclusion Initiative: Cpl Group, Mobility Mojo, SIRO, William Fry, Woodie’s, Version 1
• Social Responsibility Project: Allergy Standards, Arthur Cox, Dalata Hotel Group Plc, Marino Software, Fujitsu, TELUS International Ireland
• Employee Experience Award: Bord na Móna, GIY Ireland, Woodie’s, SIRO, Version, Woodie’s
• Good Governance Award: AIB Group plc, Ballyhoura Development CLG, Dole plc, Mobility Mojo, Future Planet, Speed Fibre Group

The judging panel – who had a tough task to whittle entries down to just a handful in each category – includes notable business leaders such as Faye Walsh Droillard, Founder of Wake Up Capital; Kathy Ryan, Head of Responsible Investment at Irish Life Investment; Margot Slattery, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at ISS; and Anne Heraty, Non-Executive Director for Cpl. In addition to the 15 categories, the judges were also tasked with selecting the Overall ESG Company (Grand Prix Award) and the ESG Leader Award, neither of which were open for submissions. The winners in these extra categories will also be presented at the awards ceremony.

Speaking ahead of the awards ceremony, Ian Hyland, owner and publisher of Business & Finance, said the best of the best will be recognised at the event:

“The growing impetus to ensure ESG standards are met by companies has introduced a whole new range of technology solutions, ideas and products that are changing the way we do business. The Business & Finance ESG Awards was established to honour those who are setting the standards for ESG excellence. We had some really fantastic entries and all finalists deserve our congratulations in reaching this stage. We are looking forward to celebrating their success at the gala luncheon on June 30th.”