Winners for Derry Business Awards 2011 Announced

The Derry ~Londonderry Business Awards showcased all that is good about doing business in the region. Many of the finalists were able to demonstrate best practice within their particular sector and the judging panel in many cases found it hard to differentiate the winner. The Overall Winner of the 2011 Business of the Year was Diamond Corrugated. This was a popular choice and the 280 guests demonstrated their approval by giving Paul Diamond a warm applause as he collected this year's Award.

Paul Diamond, the Managing Director, spoke with great affection for his skilled workforce who have successfully competed in the global market place and this has been against the decline in general manufacturing. Diamond Corrugated employs over 50 local people and have grown to become Ireland's most successful and dynamic independent supplier of corrugated packaging. Diamond Corrugated have demonstrated a consistent track record in promoting commitment to corporate responsibility of the city. They are renowned throughout the Irish market for their innovation. The Company committed to Derry was outstanding and they are now embarking on the most interesting stage of their history to date with a £5m expansion which will lead to further growth for our business by a projected 50% in sales which in turn will lead to an additional 25 jobs over the next three years.

The Annual Business Awards are a popular event and City Centre Initiative and Londonderry Chamber of Commerce received over 8000 votes collected in the public vote categories. The tension was palpable at the presentation of the awards, the broad spectrum of businesses who entered the awards was indicative of the far reaching impact these awards have come to have on the businesses within the city.

The Principal Sponsor of the evening was Bank of Ireland. The winners for the Derry Business Awards 2011 are:

Jim Roddy, City Centre Manager said "There was an unbelievable response to this year's awards. We are proud to host an event which rewards business excellence in Derry. All the finalists represent all that is unique about the business that goes on in our city. There is a multitude of great work which is carried out in the city centre every day, this work contributes to the end goal of having a living, breathing, vibrant city centre which is accessible to everyone. I must also extend a special thank you to all our sponsors and guests who came on the night for making this event such a huge success"

Sinead McLaughlin, Chief Executive said "congratulations to all the winners, it is great to see businesses get due recognition for all their hard work. The evening demonstrates that we have a lot of talent in the City and region. These awards give an opportunity for all of us involved in the business community to reward and celebrate the outstanding achievements of local business men and women - and their employees - during the last year."

Frank Smyth , Regional Business Manager, Bank of Ireland Business Banking said: "On behalf of Bank of Ireland, we are delighted to be working in partnership with the City Centre Initiative and Londonderry Chamber of Commerce on the Derry~Londonderry Business Awards as we are committed to playing a part in Derry's growth and to the success of our City.

Bank of Ireland, City Centre Initiative and the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce would like to take this opportunity thank all those who participated and supported this years event.