Dowds Group has been named as one of Ireland’s Best Managed Companies. The awards programme is led by Deloitte Ireland, in association with Bank of Ireland. The company, was recognised for the third consecutive year at an awards ceremony on Thursday, 14 September.
This year at the 15th annual awards ceremony, Deloitte recognised 130 indigenous companies representing 24 of the 32 counties across the island of Ireland.
The network of companies has a combined turnover of €17 billion and €3 billion of exports sales, providing employment for over 53,000 people across Ireland across a range of sectors – from manufacturing and tech to construction and food and beverage. A detailed judging process precedes the recognition, evaluating the entire management team and business strategy. The judges look beyond financial performance at areas such as a company’s environmental, social and governance standards, strategic planning, and talent strategy, when awarding Ireland’s top privately owned businesses.
Commenting on the award, JAMES DOWDS, MD, DOWDS GROUP said: “We are thrilled to be once again recognised as one of Ireland’s premiere companies by Deloitte. Dowds Group, like many other companies, faced tough trading conditions in 2022/23 and financially it was a poor year. But we used the lessons learned over the period as a springboard to drive forward our Strategy 26, founded on our values of Head, Hands, Heart and we are now forecasting a record turnover with healthy margins for the year ahead. In addition, over the last year we have made long-term investments in two central offices in Ballymena and London and have introduced new business units. Like Deloitte, we truly believe that good management is not about resting on past successes but pushing through barriers and coming out stronger”.
BRIAN MURPHY, LEAD PARTNER FOR IRELAND’S BEST MANAGED COMPANIES AWARDS PROGRAMME AT DELOITTE IRELAND said: “This year we’re celebrating 15 years of the BMC programme and the incredible companies that have qualified. Even though this year’s cohort faced into another challenging period, over the past 15 years we’ve seen how indigenous Irish businesses find opportunities in change. Strengthening governance and recognising the value of specialist expert advice on critical areas such as ESG were key discussion points in the coaching sessions. We also saw companies increasingly focused on innovation driving internationalisation. Despite the uncertainties of the past few years, the confidence of Irish businesses is clear as more and more are scaling their market reach internationally”.
As well as 8 newly qualified companies, Dowds Group were among the 112 companies that requalified as a Best Managed Company, five companies achieved Gold Standard, and five companies were awarded Platinum Standard.
NIKKI CANAVAN, SENIOR DIRECTOR, HEAD OF ORIGINATION & SUSTAINABILITY, CORPORATE BANKING IRELAND, and judging panel member said: “Over the last number of years the companies in the Best Managed Companies network have shown huge strength in the face of disruption and uncertainty. This year in particular – a year that tested Irish businesses like never before – the judges noted the commitment, bravery, resilience and tenacity of the applicant companies.”
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